Are You Looking to Apply for a Cybersecurity Internship?

How Can Internships Help You?

What Does an Internship Usually Entail?

Internships come in a wide variety of shapes and forms. Some interns spend their time fetching coffee and making copies. In the cyber security field, interns might help put together educational materials aimed at informing other employees of new protocols for data security. There are as many types of internship programs as there are interns, it seems.

Some corporations have highly organized internship programs where students are assigned a mentor. Other programs may have a team of interns that are asked to collectively work on projects. Smaller firms, however, are more likely to have an ad hoc approach that allows interns to take more initiative and offer their insights or trains them in simple tasks that must be done continuously and are already in their wheelhouse, allowing them to get real work experience.

Prospective interns should be sure to investigate a number of internship possibilities prior to committing to one. As they learn about what each firm has to offer, they can make an informed decision as to which sort of internship would suit them best. Ultimately, interns should look for the places that will offer them the most opportunities to make a difference and display their talents.

Qualifications for an Internship

Since internships aren't actual jobs, there are many different ways to qualify for them. In cyber security, students will likely need to be at least in their third year of undergraduate work and have significant, relevant coursework under their belt. For instance, some internships may ask for exposure or expertise with blockchain, cryptography, or networking, for instance. Most will need to see that a student has significant experience with hardware and software matters, including programming.

If the internship is with the Department of Defense, or a federal law enforcement agency, interns may need to pass a background check and provide references. For instance, the Department of Homeland Security requires that interns be eligible to obtain security clearance. Federal internships will often require US citizenship.

Internships can also ask that applicants show evidence of leadership abilities and teamwork. Other soft skills, such as written and oral communication, may also be a factor in deciding who is awarded an internship.

Can I Earn an Internship Without Qualifications?

It's unlikely that anyone can land a cyber security internship without significant technical qualifications. Since the duties of a cyber security professional rely so heavily on computer technology, government and corporate organizations will surely require that their interns demonstrate competencies in relevant areas. However, there may be internships that are less exacting.

That is, if the cyber security department needs an intern to help create and distribute educational materials, they could look for an intern capable of performing technical writing tasks. However, even those positions may require some specialized knowledge of cyber security or at least information technology. This shouldn’t be an issue for students who are juniors or seniors but may make sure that most internships are out of reach for students with less time spent in the discipline.

Financial Incentives for Internships

Unpaid internships have long been the norm in corporate America. However, that has been changing over the past few years. In the cyber security field, it's more likely to find that interns receive some sort of compensation for their hard work. After all, organizations wish to attract the most competitive applicants to their cyber security teams, so they incentivize top students with stipends or some other form of compensation.

Nevertheless, there are still many corporate and government internships that do not provide financial stipends to their interns. There are other ways to provide for an intern, however. For instance, New York City's Summer Internship Program helps students gain valuable experience by providing free housing while they complete their 13-week internship. The housing includes more than shelter and students enjoy amenities such as cable television and internet. Students are likely required to provide their own food and transportation to and from their internship, however.

Ultimately, students should assess the long-term value of an internship. Even paid internships are unlikely to provide any substantial salary, but all of them are sure to be a highlight on one's resume. The value of that internship will rise if the job involves significant projects or outstanding tasks.

Is There a Difference Between Cyber Security and IT Internships?

Cyber security and information technology internships may sometimes seem remarkably similar, depending on the organization or the goal of the intern coordinator. In fact, the two fields have a lot of overlap. Both require that students have a knowledge of networking, coding, and even security. However, cyber security students will also be trained in areas such as cryptography, penetration testing, and computer forensics.

Both fields will require that students be well-versed in matters related to networking. With that in mind, it may be possible for an IT student to land an internship with a cyber security team if they are also able to demonstrate knowledge of relevant topics or the ability to learn on the job. On the other hand, it seems certain that an IT department would love to have a cyber security student on board, as they surely have IT skills on top of their cyber security training.

Resume Tips for Cybersecurity Internships.

Create a Project Portfolio

On top of a dynamite resume, cyber security students should also create a portfolio of their accomplishments. Any class projects can be included in this portfolio, as well as any outside projects that relate to cyber security. For instance, some students maintain cyber security blogs where they discuss relevant topics. Others might put together a white paper and a lecture to help their fellow students maintain their computing hygiene.

One key element to include would be evidence of soft skills. That is, seek out opportunities to create written materials or deliver speeches on the topic of cyber security. Since these skills are not only vital but also hard to quantify, when a portfolio includes solid examples, hiring executives are sure to take note. Another way to demonstrate these elusive abilities might be to undertake cyber security projects as part of a Computing Club where leadership abilities might also come into play.

When students are diligent and can provide a portfolio of completed work, they are sure to land an internship. That is because in the professional world of cyber security, employers want to see physical, quantifiable results. Students who demonstrate a track record of applying their technical knowledge are sure to stand out from the pack.

Tips for Resumes

Most students don't have a lot of real-world experience in cyber security. However, they all need to write resumes if they hope to land an internship in their field.

Here are a few quick tips for writing a resume:

Potential Internships