Cy Says Blog & Podcast

Pratik's journey into the world of cybersecurity was nothing short of a masterpiece, cooked to perfection with the finest ingredients of his experiences and passions. Like a seasoned chef, he had honed his skills in the culinary arts, mastering the art of creativity, collaboration, and working under pressure. Little did he know that these skills would prove to be the secret sauce of his success in the cybersecurity industry.
 
Pratik's service as a chef in the United States Army went beyond providing basic needs for his fellow troops - he was the driving force behind his unit's morale. His dedication to the service of others and ambition to make a difference led him to the dynamic world of cybersecurity, where the pace was fast and the opportunities were endless. After exploring various options, Pratik discovered CyberUp, a training program that teamed up with him to take his skills to the next level.
 
The CyberUp team welcomed Pratik with open arms, offering him support and guidance throughout the training process. As he delved into the world of cybersecurity, he found himself overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information he had to absorb. But like a true cybersecurity professional, Pratik devised a strategy - he turned to podcasts and YouTube videos to better understand complex cyber topics. He even started to incorporate this newfound hobby into his daily routine, much like his love for cooking.
                                                                                                                                                                   

After completing the LevelUp Training, Pratik faced the daunting task of transitioning out of the military. With CyberUp by his side, he was well-prepared to take on this challenge. The team helped him translate his military experience into civilian terms and provided him with mock interviews and resume reviews to ensure his success in the job market.
 
Centene saw the potential in Pratik and hired him as an apprentice. Thriving in a fast-paced environment, Pratik's passion and dedication to learning and working hard made him a valuable asset to the team. Throughout his apprenticeship journey, CyberUp never left his side. They provided mentorship and guidance, checking in with him monthly to ensure his success.
 
Looking toward the future, Pratik's goal is to obtain a Master's Degree in Digital Forensics. With CyberUp as his foundation, he knows that the possibilities are endless. He is grateful for the lifelong friends he made along the way and credits his success to the skills he learned as a chef. As he imparts his wisdom to future candidates, Pratik reminds us that time management is key - just like a good chef, one must stay focused and vigilant to succeed in the world of cybersecurity.

 Austin is a trailblazer in his family, breaking barriers and achieving remarkable accomplishments. He proudly holds the distinction of being the first member to earn a college degree, and to serve in the military, where he made notable strides toward a Ph.D. Recently, he's been working on his dissertation on Network Security, and his passion for the topic was apparent when he shared it with our LevelUp team.

Since the moment Austin was referred to CyberUp, he showed great enthusiasm. Austin was especially thrilled to have the opportunity to earn an additional certification through the Related Training Instruction portion of his LevelUp Apprenticeship. He opted to pursue a Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) certification and found the virtual classroom and self-learning environment highly enjoyable and flexible. Although he appreciated the independent study process, he found great value in having a mentor to support him through the program. Austin was so grateful for this experience that he expressed a desire to volunteer as a mentor to incoming candidates in the future.                                                                                                                                                                     

Throughout his journey as an apprentice for Centene, Austin has found the support of the CyberUp team to be invaluable. He thoroughly enjoyed connecting with other new hires and found that having a close-knit network behind him instilled him with the motivation to push himself further. Today, he remains excited about paying forward the kindness and support he received, and he credits CyberUp with being the driving force behind his success.

"Be a leader, not a follower" were the words that echoed Malik's passion. Armed with that motivational phrase, Malik constantly looked for ways to better himself. Knowing cybersecurity would always be an in-demand field was the impetus for Malik's journey. And, having a knack for problem-solving and analytical thinking made him a great candidate for cyber.

Malik's original aspiration was in the world of professional sports. As a college athlete, he channeled his passion for basketball into a position as a shoe store manager. Due to unforeseeable circumstances, he had to abandon his path toward playing professional sports. During this time, Malik considered engineering and information technology as potential majors at Maryville University. Ultimately, he opted for cybersecurity due to its parallels with team-building, an integral part of his basketball experience. Malik discovered CyberUp through a trusted source - a colleague who recognized his potential for a career in cybersecurity. Upon meeting with CyberUp's executive director, Tony Bryan, Malik's interest in the field was piqued. 

Through his pursuit of a master's degree at Maryville University, Malik found CyberUp was a valuable resource in supplementing his cybersecurity education. CyberUp provided him with a seamless transition into a career in cybersecurity, fortified by strong professional relationships to turn to for assistance. Malik notes that the opportunity to learn something new every day, a hallmark of the cybersecurity field, is one of his favorite aspects of the job.

Malik's apprenticeship with Centene through CyberUp paved the way for a full-time role as a systems engineer at the company. From his starting position as a security analyst to his current role, CyberUp played a pivotal role in guiding Malik toward a successful cybersecurity career. In Malik's own words, CyberUp positioned him for an auspicious entry into the cybersecurity field.

The eco-system for cyber needs to be revamped for the future according to Eric Dunker Ph.D., Vice President of Workforce and Economic Development at Arapahoe Community College. Partnerships and pathways must be the new school approach. Colorado's bipartisan support of apprenticeship has propelled partnerships in the tech space with region-wide incentives. It's not a notion of either apprenticeship or college but how both can work in tandem.

When deciding on a new hire your HR has to be realistic about qualifications for the role. They also have to find the best ratio of no pedigree but experienced workers (Bulldogs) to hyper-specialized professionals (Brain surgeons). Shorten that fantasy laundry list of qualifications to essential skills because those that meet the fantasy requirement (Unicorns) have jobs already. Don't forget bulldogs often become brain surgeons. 

Join Tony Bryan and Debbie McLeod, President of McLeod Information Systems, to learn more ways that small businesses can create, develop, and deploy cybersecurity apprenticeships. It does not have to be complicated and there isn't a one-size-fits-all way to do things. #cybersecurity #apprenticeships