Cybersecurity & Risk Management Student, from Bakersfield, California

hi, I'm

SantiagoSoto

Student in cybersecurity and risk management, with a builder's background in circuits and code.

See my projectsGet in touch

Summary

I'm a cybersecurity and risk management student at the University of Texas at Dallas, based in the Richardson/Plano, TX area. I got my start building circuits and writing Arduino code, and that hands-on background is what pulled me toward security: I like understanding how a system works so I can find where it can break.

My plan is to join a cybersecurity club, finish the Google Cybersecurity Certificate, earn more certifications, and keep building projects that show what I can do.

Education

University of Texas at Dallas
Cybersecurity & Risk Management student

Uplift Grand Preparatory, Grand Prairie, TX
IB Diploma, 3.77 GPA

Skills

Coding

  • Python
  • C++
  • Arduino (C/C++)

Hardware & design

  • Breadboard circuits
  • TinkerCAD
  • 7-segment displays
  • PWM & sensors
  • Design

AI & intelligent systems

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Intelligent Systems
  • Intelligent Agents
  • AI data evaluation

Thinking & strategy

  • Analytical reasoning
  • Critical thinking
  • Problem solving
  • Research skills
  • Strategy
  • Strategic planning for growth

Teamwork & communication

  • Teamwork
  • Team building
  • Communication
  • Customer service
  • Microsoft Office

Work habits

  • Project management
  • Time management
  • Active learning
  • Ethics

Volunteering & clubs

  • LULAC volunteer
  • National Honor Society
  • Community service
  • Student leadership

Learning now

  • Google Cybersecurity Certificate
  • Risk management

Work experience

Sep 2026 to present

Food Service Worker & Cashier

Chartwells at UTD, part-time. Serving students, handling payments, and working a fast-moving shift.

May 2026 to present

AI Data Trainer & Evaluator

Handshake AI Fellowship, contractor. Reviewing and evaluating AI outputs against detailed guidelines.

Jul 2025 to Dec 2025

Wingstop

Worked on a fast-paced restaurant team.

Main projects

Coming soon

Bigger projects are on the way

School, internship and cybersecurity projects will be added here as I complete them.

Certifications

Up next

Google Cybersecurity Certificate

My first step into formal security training.

Later

More certifications

Added here as I earn them.

Playground projects

The fun side. Personal builds and experiments I do for curiosity. Click any project to see more.

Biggest build

Segment Display Counter with Sound Feedback

A button-controlled counter from 0 to 9 on a 7-segment display, with a different buzzer tone for every digit.

  • Arduino C/C++
  • 7-segment display
  • Buzzer
  • TinkerCAD
Open the full project
The finished Arduino counter build on a breadboard
School project

Arduino Traffic Light

A traffic light sequence built from LEDs and timed code.

  • Arduino C/C++
  • LEDs
See the summary
First project

Basic LED Light with Arduino

Where it started: controlling an LED from code.

  • Arduino C/C++
  • Breadboard
See the summary
Personal

Photodiode Light Sensor

Reading light levels with a photodiode and an Arduino.

  • Arduino C/C++
  • Sensors
See the summary
Coming soon

Cybersecurity experiments

A home lab and club projects will land here.

Let's talk

Open to internships, projects, and conversations about cybersecurity and risk management. Email is the best way to reach me.

contact@santiagosoto.me
intruder.py
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