Taking part in the Cyber PATH program has exceeded my expectations. I didn't expect that it would be so comprehensive in what we'd be covering, nor so hands-on with practical application in supporting clients. This is shown through giving security awareness training to people who don't have such a wide knowledge of what cyber is.

The benefit to my education massive. While university lectures provide a solid foundation, the hands-on experiences and real-world challenges I've encountered through the Cyber PATH programme have taught me invaluable lessons that simply can't be replicated in a classroom setting. For example, working directly with clients to deliver SATs and conducting Vulnerability Assessments has sharpened my problem-solving skills, enhanced my communication abilities, and given me a deeper understanding of the practical applications of cyber security concepts.

The Cyber PATH supervisors created a comfortable environment for me to learn, with helpful insights at every stage, but also let me push myself. They were always happy to accommodate any requests I had to make sure I could balance my workload and university studies.

Cyber PATH is definitely an initiative that stood out to me. It felt fresh and new. I would encourage students to apply to the programme. It is an opportunity to be part of a brilliant work environment and be surrounded by people who want to invest in you – and will believe in you before you believe in yourself.

Cyber PATH has been hugely beneficial to me. There is nothing quite as good as learning on-the-job and working on real-life projects. It’s the best way to learn, and it’s rewarding to see that what I do can make a difference. I love the mentoring side of things and the support I get from the Cyber PATH team; they help you a great deal, but they also encourage me to do the research and identify solutions myself. But you never feel unsupported or left on your own.

At the time I joined the Cyber PATH programme, I was extremely new to Cyber, especially surrounding the more technical concepts and the only real experience I had that could be related to the job was some public speaking. Despite this, I was accepted for the position, and I can safely say the knowledge and expertise I gained was reflected in my work and degree work.