Breaking into a new industry is never easy—especially one as complex and fast-paced as cybersecurity. But for Alex Beat, a recent graduate of CyberUp’s apprenticeship program, the journey has been one of growth, determination, and transformation.
Alex didn’t come from a traditional cybersecurity background. In fact, before he joined CyberUp’s LevelUp Training program, his professional path looked very different. But he brought something far more valuable than technical experience: a strong work ethic, a passion for problem-solving, and a willingness to learn from the ground up.
Through CyberUp’s training and apprenticeship, Alex found the structure, support, and real-world experience he needed to make a lasting pivot. Today, he’s proudly serving as an Infrastructure Security Engineer One at Centene Corporation. It's a role that didn’t just fall into his lap but was built step-by-step through consistent effort and a clear vision for his future.
Alex’s apprenticeship experience wasn’t without challenges. He described the early days as a “massive learning curve,” especially navigating the scale and complexity of Centene’s networks and systems. But instead of being discouraged, he leaned in. He credits his ability to adapt to two key strategies: focusing on the fundamentals and staying meticulously organized.
“I took a lot of notes using OneNote,” he shared. “Then I’d go back, reorganize them, and build on what I learned. It helped me track tasks and avoid getting lost in the complexity.”
It’s this type of discipline—paired with a mindset focused on continuous learning—that helped Alex stand out. Managers praised his ability to pick things up quickly and valued his contributions to team research and project support.
While gaining technical knowledge was a core part of Alex’s journey, the personal and professional growth he experienced went beyond hard skills. He became more confident in his communication, more strategic in how he approached problems, and more comfortable with not knowing all the answers right away.
He also found meaning in the work itself. “Helping protect the company feels like I’m doing something important,” he said. “It’s been rewarding to see how all of my training is coming together.”
When asked about future goals, Alex is clear: he’s aiming to advance to an Engineer II role and is already taking on new responsibilities like production scans and participating in the on-call rotation. It’s all part of a broader plan to keep growing in a career he’s passionate about.
As he begins the next phase of his career, Alex remains committed to the community that helped him get here. He’s open to staying involved with CyberUp as an alumni mentor or speaker, and wants to help others who are just starting their journey.
His advice for new apprentices? “Be okay with not knowing everything right away. Take good notes. Stay curious. And don’t be afraid to ask questions—just make sure you think them through first.”
At CyberUp, we believe the cybersecurity industry should reflect the world we live in—diverse, driven, and filled with people like Alex who bring new perspectives and a hunger to learn. His story is a powerful reminder that with the right guidance and opportunity, breaking into cybersecurity isn’t just possible—it’s transformative.
Congratulations, Alex. We're proud to have you in our alumni community and can’t wait to see where your path leads next.
If you're an employer looking for driven, hands-on cybersecurity talent like Jermaine, CyberUp’s Apprenticeship Program can connect you with candidates who are trained, motivated, and ready to contribute on day one.
If you’re curious about cybersecurity but don’t yet have your CompTIA Security+ certification, CyberUp’s LevelUp Training program might be the perfect place to start. We provide accessible, self-paced training to help you earn your certification and prepare for apprenticeship opportunities.