Jacqueline Brown has traveled many roads to success, including the American highways.
Her background in the beauty industry gave Jacqueline the acumen and leadership skills to tackle multiple types of business endeavors. A mid-pandemic career change drove Jacqueline to an occupation driving for Variant, an American trucking company that took her across the country. During that time, she completed her bachelor’s degree at the University of Arizona Global Campus to kickstart an entirely new path in cybersecurity. Always on the move, Jacqueline takes each step with assurance and a track record of accomplishments as a means of support.
“I’ve done a lot in my life, and I am very grateful to have been able to do those things and to rebuild myself into the corporate world, which is a whole other beast,” she says.
A Colorful CV
Jacqueline spent nearly two decades working as a hair stylist, where she collected a high-caliber clientele, including the late poet Maya Angelou. She describes the experience as “humbling,” and attributes her customer service skills to this role. However, like many businesses, COVID hit her salon business hard, and Jacqueline was forced to shut it down. That’s when she shifted her occupation and earned her commercial driver’s license (CDL) credentials to become a truck driver.
I’ve done a lot in my life, and I am very grateful to have been able to do those things and to rebuild myself into the corporate world, which is a whole other beast.
Driving took her through several states, where she saw landscapes and lifestyles across the spectrum. Witnessing these diverse places inspires her current lifestyle, which includes minimalist habits and an appreciation for her blessings thus far.
“I’ve seen the other side of life, where our human footprints on the earth are quite brutal,” she says. “I’ve had an opportunity to really explore more than a normal person, and it definitely affected me in a positive way.”
As a Miami local, she applied that perspective to a spot on the board for the Special Olympics, as well as a guardianship ad litem, where she represented neglected, abused, and abandoned children. She even started her own foundation, Youth of Excellence, which provided 12-week intensive workshops focusing on career development and personal development for kids in select communities.
An Identity Found
While all this provided Jacqueline with a deep perspective, one singular event led her to pursue her degree. Jacqueline was a victim of identity theft, an experience that shook her. Through her recovery from that experience, she took an interest in the concept of digital security and ultimately pursued her education in cyber and data security technology.
“I wanted to understand the other infrastructure or policies about security investigation, documented reports, understanding what that world is, and what it entails,” Jacqueline says. “Working in that capacity expanded my awareness. It gave me hands-on knowledge about dealing with different infrastructures, IT systems, and logging.”
She graduated with her Bachelor of Science from UAGC in May 2025, after working through her stint as a driver the whole time. Jacqueline recalls using the Wi-Fi at truck stops and gas stations to submit her assignments for her courses.
‘It was challenging, but that’s what I love about my decision to go to school and to do it online,” Jacqueline explains. “I’ve learned to develop resilience, determination, how to solve problems, and even during storms, I had to get that work done and get it submitted. It didn’t stop.”
Despite a difficult schedule, Jacqueline nods to the flexibility of UAGC, which allowed her progress to remain steady in her ever-changing environments.
“UAGC provided an amazing platform where you can communicate easily with your instructors, with your advisors,” she notes, “and I was just engaged in that whole structure, and that’s what made me successful.”
Current and Future Endeavors
In the spirit of preparedness, Jacqueline started working toward her ideal career even before her May 2025 graduation date. Applying for work and opportunities helped her to cinch her role in cybersecurity with Nation Security, a security guard service based in Miami. She facilitates several roles within the company, including receptionist and concierge services, all as a direct result of her background.
“Someone said to me, ‘Jacqueline, you should be applying while you’re in school,’” she explains. “I see the wisdom in that you don’t want to wait until you finish and then start. You need to do it while you’re at least getting close to getting ready for graduation.”
Now, Jacqueline is using her experience to pursue a career that holds her interest, as well as opportunities to exercise her leadership capabilities and knowledge. She recently earned her Scrum certification, a project management framework distinction, bolstering her credibility in the field alongside her confidence.
“I found my voice,” she says of her garnered skills. “I love to create a meeting with a purpose in mind, and understand what the requirements are, and do the research, and then hold everyone accountable to their roles in it.”
She also continues to pursue projects that align with her passions. Along with business endeavors, Jacqueline travels to Spain to participate in the running of the bulls, visiting Pamplona each year. In between traveling to other countries and continuing to learn about cybersecurity, Jacqueline also enjoys cooking, art, and music as her recreational hobbies.
Eventually, Jacqueline plans to pursue an MBA. Transitioning into a commercial role after decades of entrepreneurship is no small feat, but she is tackling her new path with confidence and foresight that encourage success.