30 September 2025 | Aura Brzezowska, Youth Advisory Panel

A career in cyber can be incredibly rewarding but it’s also highly competitive. There are many different routes into the industry and a degree in technology can be a strong starting point. However, employers are looking for far more than just a degree. They want to see hands-on experience, evidence of community engagement and a genuine passion for learning outside of your mandatory classes

University is a fantastic time to build that foundation. You have access to opportunities that help you gain practical experience, meet people in the industry and explore areas you might not otherwise come across. Here are some ways you can make the most of your time at university, based on my own experience.

Join Societies

Most universities have technology or cyber societies run by students who are just as keen to learn and share knowledge as you are. Use societies to:

Swap tips, tools and techniques with others.
Attend talks from industry experts and recruiters.
Take part in hands-on workshops, competitions and career-focused events.

If your university does not have one, think about starting your own. It shows initiative, builds leadership skills and helps you make a name for yourself in the student community. Not to mention it will look great on your CV and provide you with concrete examples for job applications and interviews.

Attend External Student Events

The cyber community is very welcoming and there are plenty of events that can help you grow. These can give you exposure to real-world problems and let you meet potential employers. Some great examples include:

BSides: community events packed with talks and networking opportunities. Volunteering here is a great way to get even more involved.
Bright Network and TargetJobs: events which often focus on tech and bring together leading employers and students.
Capture the flags and hackathons: put your skills to the test and represent your university.
Specialist diversity events: e.g. Women in Cyber meetups. These often provide targeted mentorship and career guidance.

Apply for Scholarships and Bursaries

Scholarships and bursaries are not just about financial help. Many offer mentoring, access to exclusive events, training and direct links to employers. Apply early for a better chance of success! A couple worth knowing about are:

CyberFirst: run by the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre which offers training, networking and paid internships.
Blackbullion: a platform for finding financial support, often with bursaries in tech. A great way to support yourself in covering not only University costs but also certifications.

Explore Interdisciplinary Modules

Cyber security connects with many other areas. If you can, choose optional modules outside your core subjects like:

Cloud computing
Software development
Artificial intelligence
Networks and routing

Having this cross-disciplinary knowledge may help you stand out. Employers value professionals who can see the bigger picture and understand how cyber fits into other technical domains.

Secure Internships and Placements

Even short internships can give you valuable experience. They allow you to:

See how cyber security fits into a business.
Work with real-world security tools and frameworks.
Show you can deliver in a professional setting.

Many companies also use these schemes as a way to identify future hires so doing well could mean securing a graduate job before you even finish university. Most applications open in August/September, applying early is best.

Volunteer and Give Back

Volunteering is a brilliant way to learn new skills while also contributing to the community. It can help you develop soft skills which are just as important as technical ability. Ideas for volunteering could include:

Help set up events like careers fairs or hackathons.
Teach others through beginner workshops or by mentoring school students. Explaining technical ideas to someone else is one of the best ways to deepen your own understanding!
Join youth panels and advisory boards such as those run by the UK Cyber Security Council, where you can contribute ideas and help shape the future of the industry.

Build Your Skills from Scratch

There are many free or low-cost resources online that can help you gain practical skills. Some of my personal favourites are:

TryHackMe: fun, gamified cyber training for all levels.
Hack The Box: focuses on more advanced penetration testing challenges.
Cisco Networking Academy: free courses on networking and security.
OverTheWire: Linux and networking war games (less guidance but great nonetheless to learn resourcefulness.)

Regular practice on these platforms will help you build confidence quickly.

Final Thoughts

It is easy to forget all the things you have done while at university. Keep a record of your involvement. This can make writing a CV much easier. It may give you something to reflect on to see how far you have come. University is more than just passing exams; it’s a chance to set you up for a strong cyber career.

By trying a mixture of the above, you will leave university with far more than just a degree. Cyber security is always changing, the more you get involved now, the better prepared you will be for whatever comes next.

Take every opportunity you can, make connections and do not be afraid to start from scratch. The work you put in during these years will pay off for the rest of your career. We all started somewhere!

About the Author:

Aura is a member of the UK Cyber Security Council’s Youth Advisory Panel where she is an Academic Routes Representative. She is currently studying Computer Science at the University of Staffordshire. Aura was the winner of the Cyber Student of the Year Award at the National Cyber Awards 2025.