Embracing the Uncertainty that Breeds Innovation

Marcella Christensen ‘22 firmly believes that uncertainty is the most critical issue facing her generation. We already have self-driving cars and hoverboards, but we simply don’t know what might come next. It could be something potentially devastating, like a cyber attack, or wondrous, perhaps a medical breakthrough. Christensen is sure of one thing though: Innovation surrounds us every single day, from the cars we drive, to the smart phones we carry, to the medicines we take to control chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension. The processes that have the potential to bring about these kinds of breakthroughs is something that Christensen thinks about often. As she puts it: “We need to innovate in our respective fields so we can have a chance at a brighter future.”

Christensen herself must innovate in the face of uncertainty. It is pivotal in her role as an IT risk analyst with Application Security at MetLife. Christensen’s responsibility is to help reduce risk for MetLife while analyzing various internal metrics. The most rewarding part of this work, she says, is knowing that she is contributing to the safety and security of data belonging to MetLife’s millions of customers, including that of her own grandparents. Beyond that, the Le Moyne grad enjoys being part of the larger information security community, which will continue to grow more important in the coming decades. It is a field characterized by near constant change. There are new tools to be used, like artificial intelligence, and new lessons to be learned nearly every day, all of which factor into the Le Moyne grad’s work. That challenge, and the opportunity to continue to learn, is part of what she enjoys most about her job. 

Christensen recently had the opportunity to speak at an event attended by other women in North Carolina’s Research Triangle who are working in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, commonly known as STEM. During her remarks, she reflected on what it was like to launch her own career. “You’ll have good days and bad days … it’s all about growth,” she recalls saying. “This is the time to make your own decisions and learn as you go.” Christenen credits her time at Le Moyne with helping her to transition to the professional world. Yes, she was taught to use software tools like Microsoft Access and Wireshark on the Heights, but she also learned how to speak in front of a crowd, to work well with a group and to manage her time. She grew into a more confident, resilient individual.

Now, as she looks toward the future, Christensen hopes to inspire others to join the field. She notes the need for more women in STEM in general and in cybersecurity in particular. She specifically recalls being inspired by a talk given by a woman wearing a simple “I <3 AI” T-shirt. This individual, in Christensen’s words, “casually brought up how she contributed to the development of the generative AI we all know, Alexa.” That is the kind of mark she aims to leave on the industry.