Massachusetts Cybersecurity Mentorship Program
Monday, 17th February 2025
Applications for the spring 2025 cohort are open until Monday, February 17. Students and mentors can apply below. The cybersecurity …
Applications for the spring 2025 cohort are open until Monday, February 17. Students and mentors can apply below.
The cybersecurity workforce in Massachusetts suffers from a lack of diversity. According to the Aspen Institute, it is estimated that only 4% of cybersecurity workers self-identify as Hispanic, 9% as Black and 24% as women. Due to its widely recognized power for enhancing participation in a career field, mentorship can help develop a more inclusive cyber workforce by preparing diverse talent, especially college students, to pursue careers in cybersecurity.
The MassCyberCenter created the Cybersecurity Mentorship Program to provide opportunities for diverse Massachusetts undergraduate college students to learn about careers in cybersecurity and develop their professional networks through direct engagement with industry professionals. The goal of the Cybersecurity Mentorship Program is to encourage diverse undergraduate college students to continue to pursue a career in cybersecurity and promote the diversity of the cybersecurity workforce in Massachusetts.
Overview
There are three main components to the Program:
Direct Mentorship – Students and their mentor, a cyber industry professional, will be matched together to have a one-on-one, ongoing dialogue on careers in cybersecurity. Students will learn directly from their mentor about the different types of cybersecurity jobs and how to leverage their studies into a career in cybersecurity through phone calls, video chats and in-person meetings;
Student Project – Students and their mentors will work together on a cybersecurity project. The MassCyberCenter will predefine and scope the projects, which will include technical and non-technical options. Students will present their projects during a showcase event in May 2025; and
Events – Students will participate virtually in cybersecurity career panels. Students and mentors will also have the opportunity to attend the 2025 Massachusetts Cybersecurity Forum. The Forum is an invitation-only event convened by the Commonwealth to highlight partnerships across the cybersecurity ecosystem and advance Massachusetts’ global leadership in cybersecurity.
As part of the direct mentorship or working on the project, students and mentors are expected to meet one hour every two weeks at a minimum.
Address
Massachusetts
DATE AND TIME
Monday, 17th February 2025 -