Cy Says Blog & Podcast

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.

Miguel Hurtado: From Apprentice to Infrastructure Security Engineer

When Miguel Hurtado began his cybersecurity apprenticeship with CyberUp, he brought curiosity, motivation, and a willingness to learn. Twelve months later, he’s stepped confidently into a full-time role as an Infrastructure Security Engineer at Centene, equipped with real-world experience and a clearer sense of his future in cybersecurity.

Building Technical Confidence

Throughout his apprenticeship, Miguel strengthened both his technical and professional skills. He sharpened his attention to detail, learned to follow structured procedures, and became more confident navigating Linux systems. He also gained experience troubleshooting connectivity issues and using industry-standard tools like Nessus for vulnerability scans.

“I’ve learned how important it is to follow steps, rely on reference materials, and ask questions,” Miguel shared.

Discovering the Power of Automation

One of Miguel’s most impactful projects involved writing batch files and supporting automation tasks. This experience sparked his interest in scalable, efficient security practices—and showed him just how vital automation is in the cybersecurity field.

“It really opened my eyes to the role of automation in making cybersecurity stronger and more streamlined,” he said.

Overcoming Challenges with Support

Like many apprentices, Miguel encountered challenges—especially when interpreting complex vulnerability tickets. But he leaned into his team for guidance, learning to problem-solve with support from more experienced colleagues. This willingness to seek help became one of his greatest strengths.

Looking Ahead: Continuous Growth

With encouragement from his mentors and CyberUp, Miguel began exploring cloud certifications. He’s currently working toward the AWS Solutions Architect certification and using CyberUp’s alumni resources to stay focused. Though still early in this journey, Miguel is eager to keep learning and expanding his knowledge.

What the Apprenticeship Meant to Miguel

Miguel describes the apprenticeship as an experience that gave him access to tools, language, and environments he wouldn’t have encountered elsewhere. Getting paid to learn, being surrounded by knowledgeable teammates, and having a clear path forward made the experience invaluable.

Paying It Forward

Now in a full-time engineering role, Miguel is continuing to grow while also looking for ways to give back. He’s expressed interest in becoming a mentor through CyberUp’s youth programs and staying active in the alumni network.

“This apprenticeship gave me a foundation I couldn’t have built on my own,” Miguel said. “It showed me what’s possible—and now I’m ready to keep going.”

Are You Ready to Start Your Cybersecurity Journey?

If you're inspired by Miguel's story, CyberUp’s apprenticeship program can help you take that first step. Let’s build a more diverse, skilled cybersecurity workforce—one apprentice at a time.