02 September 2025 | Aurelia Brzezowska, Youth Advisory Panel

Aurelia Brzezowska is a member of our Youth Advisory Panel (YAP). She is a Computer Science student at the University of Staffordshire and founder of Byte Queens women in tech network. She has held internships at IKEA and Barclays, and a number of voluntary roles in cyber and broader STEM organisations and her university. She was named Young STEAM Personality of the Year 2025, and is a finalist for Cyber Student of the Year 2025.

Since September, I’ve dedicated over 200 hours to volunteering with various organisations and initiatives, each one playing a unique role in shaping my cybersecurity journey. Some of these opportunities were readily available, while others required a more proactive approach. What they all had in common was the development of transferable skills in communication, leadership and problem-solving. Here are a few examples of how volunteering has helped me build both cyber-specific and soft skills:

NCCE “I Belong in…” Scheme

This initiative featured a podcast series aimed at inspiring female students to explore careers in fields like technology and cyber. Drawing on my background in both, I volunteered to speak at sessions that reached over 1,500 students. My role involved preparing and delivering presentations, sharing my personal journey and demystifying careers in cyber. This experience significantly enhanced my public speaking and presentation skills, particularly in keeping younger audiences engaged with complex or technical topics, an essential skill in cybersecurity communication.

“I’m a Computer Scientist, Get Me Out of Here!”

This is a free, accessible platform where professionals take part in live, chat-based Q&A sessions with students from underserved schools. I’ve participated in many of these sessions and they’ve sharpened my ability to simplify technical concepts for non-technical audiences. It’s also a fantastic exercise in thinking on your feet, crafting relatable explanations for abstract topics. In cybersecurity, we often need to communicate with stakeholders who want a high-level understanding of complex risks. If you can explain quantum cryptography to a Year 7 student, you can explain it to anyone.

University Societies

If you’re at university, I highly recommend getting involved in academic societies, especially by taking on leadership roles. I’ve led multiple societies and in doing so, I gained real-world experience in event management, stakeholder engagement, budgeting and strategic planning. These skills directly translate to cybersecurity leadership. Managing hundreds of members, coordinating with sponsors and delivering successful events prepares you for the kind of multitasking and cross-functional collaboration that’s key in cyber roles.

STEM Ambassadorship

Through the STEM Ambassador program, I’ve taken part in school visits, science fairs and after-school clubs all arranged via their platform. The scheme includes a free DBS check and is open to volunteers at all levels of experience. This opportunity has helped me build confidence in project planning, time management and outreach. Cybersecurity professionals often juggle competing priorities and volunteering like this simulates that real-world pressure in a meaningful and rewarding way.

These are just a few ways anyone can begin volunteering and start building the soft skills that are crucial in cybersecurity. Technical skills can be learned but it’s the ability to adapt, lead and communicate effectively that truly sets candidates apart, especially when pursuing leadership positions. Anyone can follow a set of instructions. But in cyber, it’s often the people who go beyond the task at hand, those who can think critically, bring others along with them, and get things done who make the most impact.

Want to find out more about how we can support you as you explore a career in cyber? Take a look at what our Cyber Access Network has to offer.