Don't just sit there : Hack your Computer Science Career!
A hypertext narrative by
Leonardo Carlos Da Cruz
Created with
The Virtual Writing Tutor Grammar Checker
Word count: 1873
Choice count: 22
Section count: 15
Image count: 15
Error count: 0
Field Related Analysis
Topic: Graphic-Design
camera (1 match)
computer (6 matches)
drawing (1 match)
keyboard (2 matches)
process (1 match)
software (3 matches)
Topic: History
data (12 matches)
statistics (1 match)
technologies (1 match)
Topic: International-Studies
media (2 matches)
political (2 matches)
politics (5 matches)
social (3 matches)
Topic: Police-Technology
right (3 matches)
Topic: Physics
focus (1 match)
force (1 match)
Topic: Geomatics
computer science (4 matches)
depth (1 match)
statistics (1 match)
Topic: Geography
field (3 matches)
Topic: Fire Safety
department (1 match)
Topic: Accounting
invest (1 match)
report (1 match)
reports (1 match)
salary (1 match)
small business (1 match)
software (3 matches)
statements (1 match)
statistics (1 match)
Topic: Aerospace Engineering
d.c. (1 match)
force (1 match)
matter (2 matches)
moment (3 matches)
system (3 matches)
techniques (1 match)
Topic: Corrections-Technology
behaviour (1 match)
manipulation (1 match)
security (7 matches)
system (3 matches)
technique (1 match)
Topic: Education
behaviour (1 match)
certification (3 matches)
choice (22 matches)
college (3 matches)
compensation (1 match)
course (1 match)
courses (1 match)
diploma (2 matches)
down (1 match)
field (3 matches)
goals (1 match)
knowledge (1 match)
learn (3 matches)
learning (1 match)
major (1 match)
market (1 match)
memory (1 match)
outcomes (1 match)
performance (1 match)
reading (1 match)
report (1 match)
senior (1 match)
skills (2 matches)
social (3 matches)
task (1 match)
test (2 matches)
trainee (1 match)
training (5 matches)
writing (2 matches)
Topic: Nuclear Medicine
brain (1 match)
detect (1 match)
hand (2 matches)
leg (1 match)
straight (2 matches)
Topic: Dance
behind (1 match)
break (3 matches)
check (5 matches)
checking (1 match)
figure (1 match)
follow (2 matches)
in place (1 match)
lock (1 match)
out (4 matches)
performance (1 match)
position (1 match)
social (3 matches)
technique (1 match)
through (1 match)
Topic: Business
business (1 match)
clients (1 match)
company (4 matches)
damage (1 match)
employee (11 matches)
file (1 match)
financial (1 match)
gain (1 match)
manager (2 matches)
market (1 match)
offer (1 match)
office (7 matches)
opportunity (1 match)
owner (1 match)
owners (3 matches)
paid (1 match)
pay (1 match)
salary (1 match)
sell (1 match)
senior (1 match)
trainee (1 match)
trends (1 match)
Topic: Wildlife management
animal (1 match)
animals (1 match)
protect (1 match)
Topic: Public Administration
security (7 matches)
Topic: Advertising
market (1 match)
media (2 matches)
Topic: Physical Rehabilitation
long (1 match)
Topic: Nursing
absence (1 match)
adrenaline (1 match)
alienation (1 match)
b.d. (1 match)
brain (1 match)
compensation (1 match)
digital (1 match)
filling (1 match)
gray (3 matches)
hr (5 matches)
hrs (1 match)
im (10 matches)
Topic: Paramedics
adrenaline (1 match)
calls (1 match)
care (1 match)
certification (3 matches)
department (1 match)
diploma (2 matches)
report (1 match)
skills (2 matches)
sleep (1 match)
technician (1 match)
trainee (1 match)
Topic: Web development
access (7 matches)
background (6 matches)
break (3 matches)
exploit (1 match)
field (3 matches)
hack (2 matches)
include (1 match)
key (1 match)
logic (1 match)
media (2 matches)
network (6 matches)
open (1 match)
open source (1 match)
option (3 matches)
package (1 match)
packet (1 match)
password (2 matches)
path (2 matches)
permission (4 matches)
position (1 match)
post (1 match)
screen (3 matches)
script (1 match)
server (1 match)
setting (1 match)
source (1 match)
table (1 match)
test (2 matches)
true (1 match)
types (1 match)
vulnerabilities (4 matches)
Topic: Environmental Protection Health and Safe
actions (1 match)
Topic: Diagnostic Imaging
brain (1 match)
computer (6 matches)
security (7 matches)
Topic: Chemistry
cracking (1 match)
data (12 matches)
gray (3 matches)
matter (2 matches)
science (4 matches)
Topic: Archaeology
alienation (1 match)
comes (2 matches)
group (1 match)
her (1 match)
here (3 matches)
market (1 match)
plan (1 match)
screen (3 matches)
tell (2 matches)
Topic: Theatre
issue (1 match)
part (1 match)
script (1 match)
Topic: Forestry
tools (1 match)
department (1 match)
Topic: Literary Studies
setting (1 match)
Topic: Sociology
alienation (1 match)
behaviour (1 match)
care (1 match)
error (1 match)
fact (1 match)
group (1 match)
internet (3 matches)
line of (1 match)
media (2 matches)
open (1 match)
self (1 match)
small (3 matches)
statistics (1 match)
systems (1 match)
third (2 matches)
Topic: Film
camera (1 match)
experience (5 matches)
focus (1 match)
performance (1 match)
plan (1 match)
screen (3 matches)
script (1 match)
setting (1 match)
technician (1 match)
Topic: Fine Arts
right (3 matches)
situation (1 match)
Topic: Metorology
cloud (3 matches)
reports (1 match)
Topic: Law
absence (1 match)
access (7 matches)
alienation (1 match)
animals (1 match)
answer (1 match)
brain (1 match)
case (1 match)
cause (2 matches)
clients (1 match)
code (1 match)
compensation (1 match)
cruelty (1 match)
damage (1 match)
error (1 match)
fact (1 match)
financial (1 match)
force (1 match)
hacking (8 matches)
illegal (1 match)
information (3 matches)
issue (1 match)
living (1 match)
majority (1 match)
market (1 match)
minutes (1 match)
misconduct (1 match)
offer (1 match)
office (7 matches)
opinion (1 match)
option (3 matches)
process (1 match)
retribution (1 match)
Topic: Social Work
certification (3 matches)
compassion (1 match)
financial (1 match)
force (1 match)
illegal (1 match)
social (3 matches)
Topic: Communications
group (1 match)
internet (3 matches)
meaning (1 match)
message (1 match)
opinion (1 match)
source (1 match)
system (3 matches)
Topic: Tourism
compensation (1 match)
digital (1 match)
employee (11 matches)
field (3 matches)
food (1 match)
hardware (2 matches)
internet (3 matches)
leg (1 match)
media (2 matches)
memory (1 match)
network (6 matches)
Topic: Medical Electrophysiology
brain (1 match)
system (3 matches)
test (2 matches)
Topic: Medical Records
file (1 match)
software (3 matches)
statistics (1 match)
Topic: Psychology
absence (1 match)
alienation (1 match)
behaviour (1 match)
brain (1 match)
cant (1 match)
compensation (1 match)
data (12 matches)
digital (1 match)
drive (1 match)
field (3 matches)
focus (1 match)
Topic: Research Methods
coding (1 match)
data (12 matches)
error (1 match)
outcomes (1 match)
Topic: Applied Linguistics
depth (1 match)
error (1 match)
system (3 matches)
test (2 matches)
usage (1 match)
use (3 matches)
Topic: Dental-Hygiene
filling (1 match)
Topic: Biology
adrenaline (1 match)
animal (1 match)
animals (1 match)
behaviour (1 match)
brain (1 match)
bugs (1 match)
drive (1 match)
food (1 match)
gray (3 matches)
key (1 match)
learning (1 match)
line (1 match)
memory (1 match)
page (1 match)
rh (10 matches)
sleep (1 match)
Topic: Construction and Civil Engineering
access (7 matches)
background (6 matches)
cant (1 match)
certifications (2 matches)
damage (1 match)
dead end (1 match)
drawing (1 match)
fill (1 match)
hacking (8 matches)
key (1 match)
line (1 match)
network (6 matches)
owner (1 match)
plan (1 match)
quantities (1 match)
tools (1 match)
Target Structure
abolishing (1 match)
alienation (1 match)
background check (5 matches)
compensation (1 match)
dread (1 match)
fulfillment (1 match)
getting sucked up in (2 matches)
hindering (1 match)
hr (5 matches)
in-depth (1 match)
ins-and-outs (1 match)
lack of (1 match)
learn the ropes (1 match)
leave of absence (1 match)
leg work (1 match)
misconduct (1 match)
more often (1 match)
office politics (3 matches)
on-the-job-training (1 match)
overtime (1 match)
overwhelmed (1 match)
compensation package (1 match)
more often than not (1 match)
trainee (1 match)
undermine (1 match)
undermines (1 match)
vacant position (1 match)
worthwhile (2 matches)
Don't just sit there : Hack your Computer Science Career!
The logic choice.
The moment you waited for a long time have finally arrived. As you sure remember, even before college you were a self-learner on information technology's ins-and-outs. However, three years ago you anticipated that you would need a DEC to work in the field. You started a college program and although you had straight A’s more often than not, today you still have doubts: what path should you thrive in the field of Computer Science? Currently, you know of two major trends. Clearly, one option is to develop programs that analyse large quantities of data, also known by the jargon "big data". The other option is cyber security, which means that you will protect data from different types of "digital attacks". Now that you have your CS diploma, you must choose a career path.
Choice 1 : Work with Big Data.
Choice 2 : Work with cyber security.
Work with Big Data.
You are now working inside a big social media company as a software technician, doing a lot of on-the-job-training. As such, you have access to most of the data, algorithms and software that the company uses. However, you need to ask permission to a senior employee. You really want to go in-depth on the company's data usage. In fact, the applications and databases you have access are applied by the majority of the companies in the field. Now that you have an opportunity, would you try to access the operations even without a permission? Would it be a misconduct?
Choice 1 : Try the not authorized access.
Choice 2 : Follow the office the politics.
Choice 3 : Decide later (Procrastinate).
Try the not authorized access.
You are now going rogue. This is a risky choice because you can undermine your entire career. On the other hand, you are also overwhelmed by the adrenaline that comes with the chance of seeing how the company uses its clients' information. All you need is the server password. You think, "I could try to use the brute force technique!" This technique is based on trying as many combinations as possible. Normally, you would need a script that tries those combinations automatically, but now you only have your brain and your hands at the keyboard. Still, you could just keeping doing your trainee job and hopefully with time you will learn the ropes of big data manipulation. What will you do?
Choice 1 : Hacking in.
Choice 2 : Jumping out.
Hacking in.
You are typing the third password that you know of, and that feeling of dread is rising up. You hit the enter key, and that is it. The hardware is prepared to lock up everything after a third error! The keyboard is not working and a small camera at the top of the screen turns on. It takes a picture of you! Now is just a matter of time to be contacted by the RH department.
Choice 1 : THE END.
Jumping out.
You have another idea, "I'm going to use social hacking." This means that you are going to manipulate outcomes of people's behaviour through coordinated actions. In other words, you will use office politics to get the information you want. The problem is that it gets time and you are already getting sucked up in office politics. That is definitely a bad way to carry on your career. A dead end!
Choice 1 : The (dead) end.
Follow the office the politics.
You instantly figure out the so-called office politics, you know who you need to ask for permission. Your manager is the employee you are looking for. Unfortunately, the answer for you is "Sorry, you need more experience before touching that data." Now you have to choose between waiting until you are eligible to access the data or insisting on it by working your way into the operating system.
Choice 1 : Wait for the right moment.
Choice 2 : Try the not authorized access.
Wait for the right moment.
You are spending a lot of time behind the desk. Another day working with analytics, which involves a lot of statistics and drawing graphs using open source tools for big data. You are getting sucked up in writing reports which undermines your drive to work. Your manager realizes that something is hindering your performance and suggests to you, "Would you like to give some try developing applications in Cloud Computing technologies?"
Choice 1 : Work with Cloud Computing.
Work with Cloud Computing.
Great! You have the feeling that you are in the right place. In your opinion, coding applications for Cloud Computing is like writing a poem. Even when you are just trying to find software bugs it is worthwhile! The feeling of fulfillment is sufficient for you to say, "that is way to go!"
Choice 1 : The (happy) end.
Decide later (Procrastinate).
You have been thinking about this for almost 3 months. You arrive early and go straight to the coffee room. You are doing overtime again by getting on the job three hours before the usual. You fill your cup and go to your corner in the office. You are looking at the screen, but nothing is coming to your mind for more than five minutes. You are so tired because of the lack of sleep that you can't finish reading one line of code on the screen. You are feeling powerless and asking yourself: Is it worthwhile? You realize that you are living a true alienation once you only work to pay your bills. Although you know the importance of putting food on the table, you also know that for months now you are abolishing any chance of feeling accomplishment. You think, "That is my last day in the office. I will put in place a plan to start a small business myself." Then, you quit the job.
Choice 1 : The (good) end.
Work with cyber security.
Although you have experience cracking file encryption, hacking computer's memory and many other skills, this is a new situation for you. All started because you saw this vacant position to work with setting up networks. The job's duties looks easy, and you have some experience with the task. It is a temporary job, and you realize the reason is that some employee is taking his or her leave of absence. Being honest to yourself, your focus is only on the salary figures, and that was sufficient for you. You think, "Imagine that, I don't even care about the whole compensation package." You are happy because you are finishing filling out all forms related to the HR's leg work. Then, the surprise comes. The HR calls you again to ask about your "cyber security certifications" - yes you don't have any. All the courses at college are up to date, meaning that your previous knowledge on cyber security is backed up by your Computer Science diploma. However, the market usually asks for "certifications" that costs a fortune to take it. The HR employee isn't sure about your experience to work with network security. You think as the HR person talks, "What could I do? Have I been fired even before I got really hired?" Then, you have an idea, "I will tell the HR person that I'm a hacker, and I don't need a certification for the job." The other option is to wait for the RH employee to say whatever is coming, even that you are fired.
Choice 1 : I'm a Hacker.
Choice 2 : RH and the Background Check.
I'm a Hacker.
White hat hackers or Ethical hackers break into the network and computer systems to uncover weaknesses and improve security. The owners of the system gives them permission to enter the system and receive the test results. On the other hand, Black hat hackers take advantage of any vulnerability for illegal personal, financial or political gain. Among the Black hat hackers there are the "Hacktivists". Hacktivists make political statements to raise awareness on issues that matter to them. Also, there are the Gray hat hackers found between Black Hats and White Hats. Sometimes, the Gray hat hackers detect a vulnerability and report it to system owners if it fits their goals. But some Gray hat hackers post their findings on the internet for other hackers to exploit. In your case, you have been part of a group of vegan hackers that break into websites of big meat producers and leave messages asking for compassion for animals. However, you never steal or sell data from them, and now you have a lot of experience on finding network vulnerabilities because of this. What do you tell to the RH employee?
Choice 1 : I'm a Vegan Hacktivist.
Choice 2 : I'm an Ethical hacker.
I'm a Vegan Hacktivist.
You say to the RH employee that you are a hacktivist for the vegan cause. You explain that in the process you have been learning a lot about computer network, from top to bottom : starting with network protocols down to data packet. The RH person is impressed with your skills, but there is an ethical issue here. The employee then suggests, "You need a certification on Ethical hacking, so you will learn how to find vulnerabilities on networks without sneaking around." The truth is that the RH made a background check on you and knows some of your activities on the internet. You are lucky, the owner of the company is a vegetarian!
Choice 1 : Training in Ethical hacking.
Training in Ethical hacking.
You start your Ethical Hacker training. It is exciting because you learn a few more techniques! Also, and most importantly, you now understand the importance of getting authorization to "test" web pages that aren't yours. Even if it is for a good cause. That is it, you are enjoying a feeling of accomplishment in your Computer Science career!
Choice 1 : The (super happy) end.
RH and the Background Check.
Nowadays background checking might or might not include your social media or your Internet activities. This may be a debatable subject, but here it is. The RH employee continues saying, "We are here with your background check, and we can see some activities related to hack groups? Would you like to talk more about it?" Now you are cornered and there isn't much to do.
Choice 1 : I'm a Hacker.
I'm an Ethical Hacker.
You say to the RH employee that you consider yourself an Ethical Hacker. You explain that although you break into other companies web pages, you never stole data, spread viruses, damage hardware or publishes the vulnerabilities. Actually, you only let a small link on the web page with a message to its owners, "Hi, there is this vulnerability in your network. You should do this or that to fix it. As retribution, please invest in less animal cruelty. Thank you!". As a result, you say, "I don't need a certification because now I'm an expert on finding network vulnerabilities." Then, the HR employee explains,"We know that from your background check, we would like to offer you a full paid certification course on Ethical hacker".
Choice 1 : Training in Ethical hacking.
