Student Spotlight: Keya Calahan’s Path to Cybersecurity and Networking
Meet Keya Calahan
Keya Calahan will graduate from Louisiana State University-Shreveport in December 2025 with a degree in Cybersecurity and Networking. She holds certifications in Security+, Cloud+, and is TekStream Student Security Analyst Certified Bronze. Over nine months in LSU’s student-run Security Operations Center (SOC), Keya has gained hands-on experience addressing security events, identifying true positives and strengthening her skills as an analyst.
Discovering Cybersecurity Early
Keya’s interest in cybersecurity began in high school when she enrolled in an introductory class. That spark grew into a passion after attending a cybersecurity summer camp at Louisiana State University–Shreveport. As she continued to research the career path, she knew this was the right field for her.
Memorable SOC Experience
During her time in the SOC, one case stood out. An alert for a student login initially looked like a routine travel event, but Keya noticed unusual details in the device and operating system. After comparing logs and tracing authentication attempts, she confirmed the account had been compromised. Her recommendation for a password change proved correct as the case became a true positive. The experience reinforced her ability to look beyond surface-level data and trust her investigative instincts.
Skills Learned in the SOC
Through her SOC work, Keya developed valuable skills in threat detection, threat hunting, persistence techniques and data analysis. She gained experience in log analysis, incident response, and using SIEM and EDR tools to identify and mitigate security risks. This hands-on training gave her the ability to detect subtle indicators and respond quickly to potential threats.
What She Values Most
Keya especially enjoyed the continuous learning environment of the SOC. She appreciated how tuning EDR systems improved efficiency and deepened her understanding of the entire threat detection process. The experience taught her the importance of paying attention to small details and keeping her investigative skills sharp.
Beyond the Classroom
Outside of her academic and SOC responsibilities, Keya brings balance to her life through hobbies. She enjoys playing tennis, spending time with family and friends, singing and dancing.
Looking Ahead
After graduation in December 2025, Keya plans to pursue a role such as Data Privacy Analyst, GRC Analyst, Risk and Compliance Officer, or Information Security Analyst. She is seeking opportunities that allow her to work remotely, ideally between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. While she is not currently open to relocation, she may consider it in the future.
Advice to Future Students
Keya’s advice to students considering cybersecurity is to learn as much as possible about the field and explore different areas to find what truly excites them. She emphasizes the importance of perseverance and confidence:
- Research the career roadmap and understand role requirements.
- Strengthen your resume and LinkedIn profile to stand out.
- Pursue certifications early.
- Gain practical experience through labs, TryHackMe, Hack The Box or vendor training like Black Hills webinars.
“Believe in your abilities and don’t let self-doubt hold you back,” she says. “Anything that sets you apart from others will give you an edge.”
Discover how TekStream’s Workforce Development / Student SOC program is preparing the next generation of cybersecurity leaders. For a broader look at statewide strategies, explore TekStream’s Whole of State Security guide.