Our Stories
She didn't think she was a "tech person". Now she's building the future.
How one student's openness to new experiences and community support led her to a successful career she never envisioned.
One of the biggest misconceptions students have about choosing a career is believing they need to have it all figured out before they graduate from high school. In reality, many successful careers begin much differently. Rather than following a carefully mapped plan, they often emerge through curiosity, unexpected opportunities, and a willingness to explore subjects that initially feel unfamiliar. Lauren Froerer’s career in cybersecurity almost never happened.
Today, Lauren works as a software developer with Advisor Labs, supporting backend systems for BYU–Pathway Worldwide. She recently graduated from Weber State University with a bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity and Network Management, earned her CompTIA Security+ certification, and is building a career in one of the fastest-growing sectors in technology.
Just a few years ago, however, she never considered herself “a tech person.”
"I thought I'd missed the boat," Lauren said.
"I thought those were the people who had been interested in computers forever."
Instead, the path that led her into technology began with a decision she made in eighth grade.
She Chose NUAMES.
One Conversation Changed Everything
By the beginning of her junior year, Lauren says something had changed. She no longer felt like she was simply attending NUAMES. She felt like she belonged.
“My teachers and counselor saw potential in me that I didn’t see in myself,” she said. She remembers one conversation in particular with her counselor, Mrs. Meyerhoffer, who asked whether she had ever considered earning her associate’s degree while still in high school. Lauren’s first reaction was immediate.
“My first thought was, ‘There’s no way I could do that.’”
Mrs. Meyerhoffer thought otherwise. Rather than dismissing Lauren’s doubts, she helped her map out a plan to make it happen. At the same time, Lauren found herself surrounded by classmates whose work ethic and ambition challenged her to raise her own expectations.
“The friends I met at NUAMES had such a strong work ethic and so much drive that they inspired me to push myself harder,” she said. “Being surrounded by people who were always striving to do more made me want to do the same.”
Looking back, Lauren believes that the relationships she built with her teachers, counselor, and friends made her feel truly supported and connected, which boosted her confidence far beyond her academic achievements.
“Knowing my teachers, counselor, and friends believed in me made me feel like I truly belonged there,” she said. “Following that plan not only helped me earn my associate’s degree, but it also gave me confidence in myself and showed me I was capable of so much more than I had believed.”
Choosing Opportunity
Growing up in Eden, Utah, Lauren knew she wanted a school where she wouldn’t get lost in the crowd. Her older brother had attended NUAMES and often talked about the smaller class sizes and close relationships with teachers. Those conversations convinced her to take a different path than many of her classmates.
“I just felt like I was going to get lost if I went to my regular high school,” she said.
The decision surprised some of her friends, who questioned why she would choose a school known for its academic focus. For Lauren, however, the appeal wasn’t simply taking college classes early.
It was finding an environment where teachers knew their students and encouraged them to grow.That encouragement would prove to be one of the defining influences of her high school experience.
Confidence Opened the Door
Lauren doesn’t credit a lifelong passion for computers with leading her into cybersecurity.
Instead, she credits a willingness to keep trying new things.
“I think not being intimidated to take different classes is huge,” she said. “I remember thinking, ‘Hey, just do it.’ I took the class, had the best time with my teacher, and that sparked my route into the tech field.”
That mindset carried into college, where she eventually shifted her focus to cybersecurity. Today, she enjoys working in a field that is constantly evolving.
“I enjoy learning something that’s always changing,” she said.
Community
Along the way, Lauren also discovered the value of relationships. While finishing her degree at Weber State, she reconnected with another NUAMES graduate through family members. That relationship eventually helped lead to her current position, reinforcing her belief that the community students build in high school often continues long after graduation.
Looking Forward
Lauren hopes to continue building her career in cybersecurity and eventually serve as a Chief Information Security Officer. Long-term, however, she hopes to follow in the footsteps of the teachers who influenced her by returning to the classroom to teach computer science, cybersecurity, or artificial intelligence.
Her advice to current and prospective NUAMES students reflects the same philosophy that shaped her own journey.
“You have to have both feet in NUAMES,” she said. “You can’t just have one foot out and one foot in because you’ll never fully appreciate how much NUAMES gives to you. The teachers are always willing to help.”
Looking back, Lauren believes the opportunities she has today are less about having a carefully constructed career plan than they are about being willing to explore opportunities she hadn’t considered, showing that career paths are often non-linear and full of surprises.
Her career in cybersecurity didn’t begin with a lifelong fascination with technology. It began with a student who was willing to take a class that sounded intimidating, to trust the teachers encouraging her, and to discover she was capable of far more than she had imagined.