Emily Harrington is not your typical graduate student. With a background that spans from UX design in the defense industry to selling chai lattes at a Texas farmers market, her journey to cybersecurity and intelligence has been anything but linear. Now, as a CyberCorps Scholarship for Service recipient at New York University (NYU), Emily is dedicated to making a significant impact in the world of national security and public safety. As a CyberCorps scholar Emily’s graduate degree experience is fully compensated for by the National Science Foundation, and following graduation she will embark on a public service career.
Currently, Emily is in her final year of graduate studies at NYU, where she’s studying Global Security, Conflict, and Cybercrime. This summer, she interned at MITRE, a not-for-profit corporation committed to the public interest, operating federally funded R&D centers on behalf of U.S. government sponsors. She supported their Intelligence Center and the broader Intelligence Community (IC). Her work involved investigating capabilities of foreign adversaries, creating vulnerability and system assessments, and conducting cyber threat intelligence research.
Before returning to academia, Emily spent two years as a UX Designer at a defense contractor, where she worked in the Chief Data Analytics Office. She helped stakeholders understand their data capabilities, and created solutions to make their lives easier. She also gained invaluable experience at a startup that has since become Microsoft’s Threat Analysis Center, helping private sector clients understand and mitigate threats to their platforms. During this time, Emily lived in Austin, Texas, where she balanced her work with a part-time job selling chai lattes at farmers markets—a testament to her diverse interests and adaptability.
Emily’s decision to pivot back to school was driven by her desire to do real meaningful work that protects people, and position herself for leadership roles in the field. “I wanted to put myself in the best position to solve complex global problems,” she explains.
She discovered the CyberCorps Scholarship for Service program through an SU and iSchool alum, Nick Rossman. “The iSchool network is everywhere and forever,” she adds, highlighting the lasting impact of her undergraduate experience at Syracuse University.
Emily’s passion for cybersecurity was not something she always had. Initially, she dreamt of a career in sports, but the COVID-19 pandemic shifted her focus. With sports opportunities limited, she took on a data analytics internship in defense, which opened her eyes to the world of supporting government sponsors and cybersecurity. “I realized sports was a great pastime, but I wanted a career focused on keeping people safe and applying the latest and greatest technologies,” she says.
Looking ahead, Emily has big ambitions. She hopes to work in government for a while, building her network and gaining leadership experience. Eventually, she dreams of starting her own company, consulting for both the private sector and the government on cybersecurity issues. Beyond that, she envisions a future where she can combine her love for sports, hospitality, and technology. “I could see myself living on Lake Austin, smoking meats for fun, and giving back to the community in some way,” she says, reflecting on her time in Texas and the joy she found in barbecuing and hosting friends.
Emily’s journey to Syracuse University was somewhat serendipitous. She initially applied ED to Newhouse and Whitman, but was accepted into the iSchool—a turn of events she now views as “one of the greatest things that has ever happened” to her. The iSchool community became a cornerstone of her college experience, providing her with lifelong connections and invaluable opportunities. “Being a peer advisor, joining Kappa Theta Pi and Kappa Kappa Gamma, and leading Women in Technology were some of the best parts of my time at Syracuse,” she recalls.
For current iSchool students, Emily’s advice is straightforward: take advantage of every opportunity. “Show up, even if you’re not fully comfortable,” she advises. “The iSchool has so many organizations and resources—utilize them!” She also emphasizes the importance of early career planning, noting that attending career events as a freshman can provide valuable exposure and help students stay on track with their goals. She secured her first role through a chance conversation at a career event she initially hesitated to attend. “Many great opportunities often come as accidents or don’t seem significant at first,” she reflects. “Of course, having fun and finding a community is important too,” she adds. Looking back on her college experience, Emily says she graduated feeling fulfilled, having successfully balanced academic achievement, personal growth, and community building.
As she prepares to graduate with her master’s degree in 2025, Emily Harrington is focused on the future. With her sights set on leadership roles in cybersecurity and a long-term vision that blends her diverse interests, Emily is well on her way to making a lasting impact on the digital world.