FOSSI: Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Robert Groce and I'm 18 years old. I live with my mom, dad, and two siblings. I enjoy spending time with family, playing basketball and doing other activities with my friends. I currently work at a local movie theater and really enjoy my job even though the pay isn't the best. Before I graduated, I attended Spain Park High School where I met a lot of great people and where I learned my first coding language. When I was younger, I attended a cyber camp at the University of Alabama (UAB), where I gained a passion for cybersecurity. Ever since then, it's been the main field that I want to work in.
FOSSI: Why are you passionate about pursuing a degree in a STEM-related field?
I am passionate about pursuing a degree in STEM because of the UAB camp that inspired me. During the camp, we were asked to find suspicious people or organizations that were doing something illegal. My group found some hackers in Israel and because of us, the hackers actually got taken down by the FBI. This just blew my mind at the time because it really felt like I was the reason why the FBI could find them. The experiences I had at the UAB camp truly inspired me and sparked my passion for cybersecurity.
FOSSI: Why is receiving the FOSSI scholarship important for you?
Receiving the FOSSI scholarship is very important to me because it gives me the opportunity to pursue my passion without the worries of having to pay so much for college.
I didn't think that I would ever receive such a major scholarship from an organization like this, but I am extremely grateful.
FOSSI: Fast forward – where do you see yourself in ten years?
In 10 years, I see myself working in cybersecurity for the FBI or another company. I see myself taking down hackers, scammers, and all sorts of online criminals from the comfort of my home or office.
FOSSI: Share a few fun facts about yourself.
I love playing baskteball, and I also enjoy watching anime. My mom thinks that watching Anime contributed to me doing well on the ACT.