Make 2025 a Year of Growth and Opportunity in Cybersecurity

As the new year begins, it's time for students to plan important tasks. Whether you’re just beginning a college journey or mid-way through, schedule these as soon as the New Year's confetti has been swept up. Many application processes open in January, and some resources are awarded only to the earliest candidates. 

1. Apply for Funding 

Whether you're just beginning college or returning for another year, securing financial aid is a crucial step. Applying early is important since some programs have long processing times. Besides tuition, students must also secure funding to attend cyber competitions later in the year. It's best to allocate 3 to 6 months for the funding search.

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) 

Many colleges will expect students to apply for FAFSA before seeking any other funding. Some students who did not think their income was low enough are surprised to learn that they do qualify for aid. You can apply for aid before selecting a college. 

The process involves creating an ID for the student and for any family member who is considered a financial supporter, such as a parent or spouse. Each of these individuals must log in to supply some identification information and provide consent to access their tax records. According to studentaid.gov, most applicants can complete the form in under an hour. 

WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid) 

If you don’t qualify or choose not to apply for FAFSA, try the Washington State Application for State Funding (WASFA) for other sources of funding. 

Opportunity Grant 

Additional forms of support can be provided through the Opportunity Grant. This program helps low-income students complete up to one year of college and a certificate in a high-wage, high-demand career. Each college decides which programs that these funds can be applied to. For example, Highline applies Opportunity Grant funds to the AAS degree in Cyber Operations. Bellevue college applies them towards the AAS-T degrees that stack towards their BAS in cybersecurity. 

Washington Worker Retraining Program 

For those affected by recent life challenges—such as losing a job or a spouse—Washington’s Worker Retraining program can help cover tuition costs for technical programs like cybersecurity. Reach out to your college’s financial aid office to learn more about eligibility and application processes. 

Cybersecurity Scholarships 

In addition to federal and state aid, there are a variety of scholarships available specifically for cybersecurity students. Websites like NICCS Cybersecurity Scholarships and Scholarships360 Cybersecurity Scholarships provide comprehensive lists of funding options that you can apply for now. 

2. Plan a Summer Internship 

January is the month that many organizations open applications for summer internships. 

Regularly search through Indeed or Linked in for cybersecurity internships. Or configure a notification option on these platforms to send you an email when new cybersecurity internships appear. 

Some examples include: 

• National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICCS) Internships
• Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity Internship Program
• Pacific Northwest National Laboratories

3. Join a Cybersecurity Competition 

Increase your employment prospects by participating in a cyber competition. If your college doesn’t include this as part of the curriculum, find a competition that you can join solo or as part of a club. 

• National Cyber League: A competitive event for individuals and teams to test their cybersecurity skills in a variety of challenges. Check out the details here.
• CyberForce: A national competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy focused on industrial control scenarios. Learn more and register here.
• National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition: One of the nation’s most prestigious collegiate cybersecurity competitions. Find out more here.

4. Build Your Online Professional Profile 

Develop your LinkedIn and GitHub profiles as soon as possible. These are today’s resume and portfolios. While in college, begin networking with professionals in the industry, connect with them on these platforms, and regularly engage with the cybersecurity communities there. 

On LinkedIn, request endorsements from teachers and mentors. Their positive comments about you appear in your LinkedIn profile as professional recommendations. 

Post and like articles about cybersecurity. Write an article or a user guide. Post about cyber competitions and technical meetups that you engage in. 

Install the LinkedIn app on your phone. This lets you quickly exchange connection information with new contacts – it’s the modern equivalent to exchanging business cards. The relationships you build now can have a big impact when you start applying for jobs after graduation. 

On GitHub, showcase your cybersecurity projects, from code snippets to security tools. By uploading your work, you provide potential employers with a tangible demonstration of your abilities. Explain your projects and tools in Readme files or provide screenshots or videos to demonstrate them. 

Having a well-organized and active GitHub profile can significantly boost your chances of landing internships, freelance gigs, or a full-time job in cybersecurity. 

5. Attend Cybersecurity Conferences and Meetups 

Networking is key to advancing your career in cybersecurity. Attending conferences and local meetups allows you to stay current with industry trends, meet other cybersecurity professionals, and discover new job opportunities. Make it a goal in 2025 to attend at least one cybersecurity event. Many conferences and meetups are scheduled in advance, so use this time to plan which ones you can attend in person or virtually. Check out events like: 

• Black Hat and DEF CON for some of the most prominent global cybersecurity conferences.
• Local cybersecurity meetups and hackathons are great for meeting people in your area and gaining practical experience.

Final Thoughts 

Whether you’re just beginning your journey in cybersecurity or you’re midway through, the start of the new year is a great time to plan your next steps. By taking action on funding, internships, competitions, and professional networking, you can make 2025 a year of growth and opportunity. The cybersecurity industry is booming, and with the right preparation, you can position yourself for a successful career. 

Start your planning now and make 2025 the year that sets you on the path to success in the cybersecurity world!