Apprentice Success Story: Jermaine Buckels
Jermaine Buckels: A Journey of Growth, Grit, and Giving Back
For Jermaine Buckels, stepping into the world of cybersecurity was more than a career move—it was a bold leap into a future full of possibilities. After completing a 12-month apprenticeship with Washington University in St. Louis through CyberUp, Jermaine leaves the program with hands-on experience, industry-recognized certifications, and a strong desire to give back.
A Nontraditional Path, A Focused Future
Jermaine didn’t come from a traditional tech background. His journey into cybersecurity began through Per Scholas, a nonprofit that provides IT training, and was accelerated by CyberUp’s apprenticeship program. At WashU, Jermaine joined the Enterprise Applications team, where his responsibilities grew from coding tasks to high-impact projects in service and asset management.
From Learning to Leading
Early in the apprenticeship, Jermaine balanced coding in C# with gaining an understanding of ITIL practices and hardware/software asset management. He worked on real-world challenges, like organizing infrastructure spending and streamlining processes using tools like Power BI, ServiceNow, and Splunk.
“I went from learning to code to managing multi-layered projects that impacted the organization’s operations,” Jermaine shared. “It pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t expect.”
He also earned his Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certification and continues to study for additional credentials, including ITIL, to deepen his cloud and operations knowledge.
Collaboration and Confidence
Jermaine’s projects often involved working across teams of 8–15 people. He learned the value of collaborative thinking, communication, and navigating the nuances of meetings and workflows. Despite the volume of work, he consistently brought structure and energy to every challenge.
“Collaboration helped me think more broadly—about how security, service management, and user experience all connect.”
Real Talk: Career Advice from Jermaine
Throughout his apprenticeship, Jermaine became passionate about demystifying cybersecurity for newcomers. He encourages future apprentices to focus on the basics—reading the book, completing labs, and asking questions.
“You don’t need to know everything. Focus on awareness. Emails, USB drives—those small things can create big threats. Simplicity matters.”
He also recommends free learning platforms like Try Hack Me, Hack The Box, and LinkedIn Learning for anyone looking to expand their knowledge outside of the classroom.
Giving Back and Moving Forward
Jermaine is still exploring his next professional step after completing the program but remains active in job interviews and conversations within the industry. He’s interested in roles that blend cloud computing, security, and service management—and he’s open to mentorship, too.
“This experience changed how I see work and purpose. I want to stay connected to CyberUp and help others find their path.”
More Than a Program—A Community
Jermaine’s story is one of resilience, adaptability, and heart. Through structure, support, and determination, he built a new foundation for his career and opened the door to future growth. As a proud CyberUp alum, Jermaine is already looking for ways to support the next wave of cybersecurity talent.
“The apprenticeship was a breath of fresh air. It made me feel like I belonged in this field—and now I’m ready to build on that.”
Ready to Build a Stronger Cybersecurity Workforce?
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.
Thinking About a Career in Cybersecurity?
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.
