A short story about Me
My name is Raesen Matutu. I was born and raised in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country rich in culture and potential. In 2015, I made the life-changing decision to relocate to the United States to further my education and improve my life prospects. This journey led me to earn a bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance from Western Governors University (WGU), and I am now planning to enroll in a Master’s program this upcoming spring.
During my studies, I noticed a significant gap in programming knowledge among my peers. Recognizing the critical importance of programming in today’s digital world, I took it upon myself to learn programming. This decision had a profound impact on my life, opening up new opportunities and enhancing my understanding of technology. However, I also realized that the government in the Democratic Republic of Congo had not prioritized implementing programming courses on a national scale. This gap in education motivated me to gather fellow Congolese individuals who shared my vision of securing a better future for our children.
Living in the United States, I was continually amazed at how technology was leveraged to improve the lives of its citizens. The transformative power of technology in the USA inspired me to bring similar advancements to the Democratic Republic of Congo. I envisioned a future where technology could drive development, improve governance, and enhance the quality of life for all Congolese citizens. This vision was the catalyst for the creation of Bantu Academy, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the DRC in its journey towards digitization and providing free programming training to children, thereby building a brighter future.
In my professional life, I work as an IT consultant at the University of Iowa. In this role, I enable and support the IT infrastructure and services for a large and diverse academic institution. My responsibilities include advanced configuration and installation of IT hardware and software, collaborating with leadership and peer teams, and providing training and documentation to both internal and external users. I have successfully completed multiple projects involving wired and wireless computing devices, IT asset management, and security audits.
My passion for cybersecurity and computer forensics drives me to continually expand my knowledge and skills. I have earned several certifications in IT security, including the Associate SSCP, CompTIA PenTest+, Security+, Network+, CompTIA A+, Azure Fundamentals, and Fortinet Network Security Expert Level 3. These certifications demonstrate my proficiency and commitment to the field. My ultimate goal is to become a cybersecurity engineer and a GRC auditor, helping companies achieve their best security posture while maintaining the availability of their services to clients. I take pride in my excellent communication skills and enjoy educating both technical and non-technical users on how to reduce the attack surface and improve efficiency in the workplace. I am always eager to learn new technologies and trends in the IT industry and apply them to real-world scenarios.
Through Bantu Academy, I aim to bring the same opportunities and advancements I experienced in the USA to the Democratic Republic of Congo. By empowering the next generation with essential technological skills and moral values, we can pave the way for a brighter and more prosperous future for our beautiful country. My journey has been one of learning, growth, and a deep commitment to making a positive impact, and I am excited to continue this journey with Bantu Academy, working towards a digitally empowered Congo.
6+
Experience in Tech and Cybersecurity
