A job in the cybersecurity industry can be incredibly rewarding, but those opportunities are difficult to find on your own. To ensure you get an internship at one of the top firms, you must be prepared to stand out from the rest of the crowd.
How do you find an internship with a top cybersecurity firm? How can you compete with other job candidates to land the best internship? Start by following the tips in this article for finding an internship with a top cybersecurity firm. A top cybersecurity firm can be an amazing place to work and gain experience. Still, they rarely offer internships to those without prior work experience. You’ll have to learn how to get your foot in the door, gain valuable experience, and build your network of contacts. All of these will help you when applying for full-time jobs after graduation.
What does an intern in cybersecurity do?
While searching for an internship, you may not necessarily come across a list of cybersecurity firms hiring interns. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t any in your area! It is important to note that there isn’t always a formal internship application process. Sometimes, it can be as easy as applying online via email. Additionally, you will have to undergo several interviews before receiving an internship offer. Every company has a different application and interview process. Consider employing a professional resume writing service if it all sounds too overwhelming to handle on your own.
Many internships at a corporation are often temporary positions. As an intern, you will commonly gain experience carrying out some of the basic office tasks of a cybersecurity analyst, usually with the direction of an expert. Depending on the organization, the internship’s specifications will change. The following obligations and responsibilities have been collected from legitimate LinkedIn cybersecurity internship postings:
- Web application security testing
- Keeping track of incoming security data
- Addressing minor security incidents
- Escalating situations as required
- Evaluating the security of a network for weaknesses
- Debugging and disassembling harmful software
- Investigating threats
- Support for penetration testing
- Creating automation and scripting
- Assisting in the creation and implementation of security solutions
During some internships, you can be required to assist a security team as needed. You can be given a specific security project to do as part of another internship, either on your own or alongside other interns. Projects could include system audits, organizing and conducting penetration testing, creating and building a security system for a specific application, or providing security awareness training.
Keep an Updated Resume and Cover Letter
Once you find an opening that sounds right, submit your application. Include all relevant information, including past work experience and education. Remember that most cybersecurity internship jobs require a bachelor’s degree. Therefore, if you don’t already have one, work toward getting one online or state it in your cover letter along with what course of study. Remember that some employers won’t even consider hiring you if you don’t have much professional experience—especially if you’re just starting college. However, many entry-level positions are more than happy to hire recent graduates who show promise and a desire to pick up new skills from more experienced workers.
When interviewing for an internship, it’s important to have your resume and cover letter ready, so you can talk about why you’d be a great fit for them. Take time to make sure your resume is up to date by adding new skills or experiences that are relevant to cybersecurity internships. Write down two or three examples of how those past experiences relate to working as a cybersecurity analyst; include recent projects in which you used those skills, if possible. Keep it short and simple when updating your cover letter by explaining your interest in cybersecurity work.
Look for Open Positions
Before you apply, check out any open positions with top cybersecurity firms. These companies typically post on their website and may even have a place where you can send your resume directly. If there’s nothing available at a specific company, sign up for their email newsletter. Some people get hired at big-name cybersecurity companies simply by submitting their resume online or through direct mail—if it looks like a good fit, it doesn’t hurt to try!
Get Involved in the Industry Early
Your search for a top-notch cybersecurity internship might seem like a daunting task at first. After all, getting lost in all that jargon, security acronyms, and general cybersecurity buzzwords is easy. However, take some time to immerse yourself in the industry from an early stage. You will have a much easier time finding employment later on. Start networking with professionals in your field as early as possible, and build great relationships with them before you graduate school. You can use those relationships to find internships more easily.
Use Career Services at Your School
Before looking for a job on your own, see if your school offers any resources that could help you land an internship with a top cybersecurity firm. Many schools have career services offices or websites where students can find information about internships and jobs in their area of study. In addition to posting listings for available positions, these resources often host workshops designed to help students land interviews. Since university contacts often work directly with hiring managers at major firms, using your school’s career services office can give you a leg up when finding an internship with a top cybersecurity firm.
Network with People in the Field
Given that cybersecurity is a relatively new field, you may want to consider seeking out information from people who are experts in the field. Suppose you can find people who have worked with well-known cybersecurity firms. In that case, they can be invaluable in providing you with advice on how to get your foot in the door at these companies. See if any conferences are happening near where you live and go to them, or try networking through LinkedIn.
Another option is participating in capture-the-flag competitions. These events allow participants to virtually hack into systems used by other teams and gain experience interacting with cybersecurity professionals. By attending these events or seeking mentors, you’ll learn about job opportunities and build professional relationships that will help when it comes time for an internship application.
Apply for more than one internship
If you’re looking for a cybersecurity internship or job, apply to as many firms as possible. Suppose you can get an in-person interview with multiple organizations. In that case, it’s a great way to make connections, which means you will probably receive multiple offers. And multiple offers can be very useful in salary negotiations. Also, remember that each organization may have different needs. If you don’t hear back from one firm after submitting your application, do not assume they aren’t interested. Instead, try calling them directly to ask what they are looking for in candidates. You might find that their current needs align perfectly with your background and experience!
Conclusion
A career in cybersecurity can be very lucrative, but the field is highly competitive. Although you may feel intimidated by the thought of finding an internship at a top firm, it doesn’t need to be a difficult process. If you follow the above tips, you’ll be well on your way to securing an internship with one of the best cybersecurity firms in the world.
A cybersecurity firm can be a great place to start your career if you’re interested in the field. Having an internship there will give you valuable experience you can add to your resume.
