A complete guide to cybersecurity internships | Virtually Testing Foundation
This guide is designed to help students and recent graduates learn more about professional cybersecurity internships. The guide includes information related to the kinds of internships available to cybersecurity students and recent graduates, where to look for internships, and what to expect to get out of an internship.
As a new college graduate looking for the perfect position, it can be discouraging when every job listing requires, at the very least, some experience. But if all the existing jobs require experience, how are professionals supposed to gain the needed experience?
Internships can be an excellent way for individuals to gain experience without being required to have already held a similar position or a related job.
An internship is a temporary position, which may be paid or unpaid, that allows candidates to gain experience in their field. Colleges and universities will often offer career counselors and internship placement programs to assist students in finding the perfect internship in their field.
For individuals looking for hands-on training in a real-life scenario, internships are a great way to accomplish this.
Why pursue an internship?
Hiring managers receive a ton of resumes each time they post a job listing. While professionals might be sure that they can win the managers over with their personality during an interview, it can be getting that interview that poses the real challenge. It can be extremely difficult to stand out within a pile of resumes.
Most organizations will look at potential employees who have at least some experience over those that have no experience. An internship can help your resume stand apart from the others on the hiring manager’s desk.
Internships also provide individuals with a sense of confidence and comfort in a real-life working environment.
Virtually Testing Foundation Internships helps students find opportunities
TF provides internship certificates for school credits, access to our community, work experience, a wide range of skills through professional immersion. Virtually Testing is a California, USA based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Our foundation is funded by individuals, corporate or government donations. Our mission is to serve a cybersecurity focused community by organizing speaker events, hands-on workshops, conferences, etc. Our members advance their skills or learn from scratch to successfully access the competitive trending and evolving cybersecurity industry.
Internships and cybersecurity
Internships are beneficial in just about any industry, and cybersecurity is no different. There is an extreme shortage of qualified and experienced cybersecurity professionals. Internships are one way to get new cybersecurity graduates the experience they need to move right into the workforce. When it comes to cybersecurity, there are many different things to consider, including whether a government internship or a private company makes the most sense.
As mentioned earlier in this guide, it’s much more likely that a private company will provide compensation for an internship. However, for students interested in pursuing a full-time career within the government sector, obtaining a government internship would be the most beneficial.
Government internships
Government internships can be a fantastic way to gain the necessary experience and skills needed to land the perfect cybersecurity career. Unlike some private companies which only offer internships from time to time, government internships usually run every year.
One example of a government cybersecurity internship program is through the Department of Homeland Security. The DHS offers a ten-week program which, unlike some other government internships does offer compensation. Students can expect an approximate salary of $5,800 for a ten-week, full-time, internship.
Salary will vary depending on prior work experience, education, and other various considerations. This internship will allow students to work alongside some of the leaders in cybersecurity within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This internship, in particular, focuses on areas such as malicious code identification, forensic analysis, incident handling, and intrusion detection and prevention.
As a paid internship that allows students to gain highly sought-after hands-on training, individuals will need to really stand out to obtain this type of internship.
Be able to obtain and hold a security clearance
Be enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s degree program in an accredited university with a major in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Computer Engineering, Network Engineering, Software Engineering, Supply Chain, Information Assurance, Information Technology, Systems Research, Systems Applications, Information Systems, Information Security, Software Assurance, or Business with a specific concentration in one of the above
Demonstrate oral and written communications skills
Demonstrate project leadership ability