To whom it may concern,

I have decided to pursue a career in privacy engineering because I feel called to be a force for change in the digital world. When I purchase a product, I want to feel safe and secure knowing that my logged habits, data, and information are in good hands. For many people, the small act of pulling out our phone is a regular habit engaged in nearly hundreds of times on any given day. This small choice has the power to frame how we behave for significant periods of time, and habits are often the gateway to future behavior. When I pull out my phone, I want to know that my behavior is not being influenced by an external, potentially malicious, outside force. When smartphones have become so widely available that one could consider them a critical component of the human experience in the digital age, it becomes brutally apparent that the security, privacy, and integrity of one’s technological experience has been pushed to the forefront of our sociopolitical landscape.

My career at Facebook is integral to my vision for the future. This position will help me establish my skill set as a privacy engineer, allowing me to better serve the public in a manner that aligns with my values. In my own time, I have pursued cloud architecture certifications, earning my Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certification in 2020. Furthermore, I am currently studying to complete my Security+ certification through CompTIA in order to satisfy DoD directive 8570, as well as the CIPT certification through IAPP. As a proven self-starter, I know that I will be able to add value to the Facebook team. I recognize I do not yet have applied experience with software engineering, but my background in privacy, law, security, physics, mathematics, and programming has prepared me to succeed at Facebook. The courses I am taking at Carnegie Mellon University, like “Applied Machine Learning,” “Applied Deep Learning,” “Law of Computer Technology,” “Privacy Policy, Law, and Technology,” “Data Structures for Application Programmers,” “Foundations of Privacy,” and my experience with Differential Privacy have prepared me to bring my best. I am confident that I have developed the skills, learning habits, and work ethic to bridge the gap in applied methodology when necessary.

The COVID-19 quarantine has put a damper on in-person opportunities, but my work in the audio and music industry has prepared me to make the most of the distance experience if necessary. In the past, I have worked remotely with engineers in Texas, software developers in California, game developers in India, publishers in Europe, and others around the world.

I know that my background in project management as an independent contractor and technical experience gained at Carnegie Mellon University has prepared me to bring all that I can offer to the Facebook team and those that you serve. I would be excited to add more on this matter in an interview.

Looking forward,

David Zagardo