Would you do these things if they boosted your chances of landing a pentest role by graduation? 🤔

If you're currently a student looking to break into cybersecurity, here are a few things you can do to increase your chances

This doesn’t just apply to students though; if you are a professional looking to transition into cyber, take notes

Building a standout portfolio/resume isn't just about certifications or the degree itself

It's about proving passion by going the extra mile

We have a current pentest intern with an insane resume IMO

But it’s not because she found the craziest CVE or presented at DEF CON (she’s pretty technical though, don’t get me twisted)

It’s because she has put in a lot of effort into the things I am about to mention below

Show up

Start by showing up

Attend as many hackathons and Capture The Flag (CTF) competitions as possible

Most of these, if not all, are free

You may even get paid if you top the competition

These events not only sharpen your skills but also look impressive to recruiters and hiring managers

They show you're actively solving real-world problems and enjoy a challenge

Not to mention the social aspect of the events

Networking is key, people would rather hire from word of mouth that from a random resume uploaded on their online application

Join a club

Join your school's cybersecurity or computer science clubs

These communities are goldmines for learning, collaboration, and networking

Many students land internships or research opportunities just by staying involved and making connections in these clubs

This is usually the case because most clubs have dedicated alumni that are always willing to help

If your school doesn’t have any of these clubs, start one

That would look fantastic on your resume as it’ll show you’re capable of doing more than just the technical stuff

Hiring managers like that sort of thing

Do research for your professors

Speaking of research, don’t shy away from it just because you're an undergrad

Professors are often working on interesting projects and need eager minds to assist

Even if you’re not a grad student, offering to help with security-related research can give you serious credibility and experience

Use your student discount

Finally, take advantage of every conference you can

Many cybersecurity conferences offer free admission for students or deep discounts (This one doesn’t apply to professionals unfortunately)

Use this as an opportunity to drink from the hose, network with professionals & other students, and stay up to date with trends in the field

Take notes, ask questions, and share what you learned in a blog post or on LinkedIn; that’s portfolio material right there

Your portfolio/resume should reflect a journey of curiosity, practice, and real engagement with the field

Make it loud, make it proud, and most importantly, MAKE IT YOURS 🫡

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