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Anna DeVries

This experience broadened my outlook on cybersecurity in the Department of Defense, helping me become a better leader as I return to the Army.

How would you summarize your experience in the MIT Lincoln Laboratory Military Fellows Program?

This fellowship provided me with a unique, hands-on experience that applied my graduate school education to real-world applications. I worked alongside Lincoln Lab employees, learning tips of the trade and a new perspective on cybersecurity. This experience broadened my outlook on cybersecurity in the Department of Defense (DoD), helping me become a better leader as I return to the Army.

What has surprised you most about your experience or research at Lincoln Laboratory or specifically in your group?

The DoD is traditionally risk adverse, so I was surprised to work with a team that embraced risk. My group supported failure as a vector for learning, seeing high reward and capability for growth in otherwise avoided avenues of approach.

As you move on from the Military Fellows program to your next venture, what are some of the key takeaways from your time here?

My key takeaway from the Lab is the importance in learning to adapt. The DoD’s landscape is constantly changing, especially from rapid technology advancements. Leaders must learn to adapt to these changing conditions and overcome their associated challenges.