Shortly after completing the cybersecurity training program, in early 2021, Henry Vu started as a Cybersecurity Consultant and KPMG. We caught up with him recently to learn about his experience in the program and get his advice for people that might be thinking about applying.
What were you doing prior to taking the Cybersecurity Training Program?
Prior to enrolling in the cybersecurity training program, I had been looking for job opportunities where I could leverage the skills and experience that I acquired during my studies. One major challenge that I faced with this was often not having the immediate experience to satisfy job requirements for the sort of roles I wanted. The pandemic struck a few months after I graduated which probably didn’t help things. To address both of these issues, I had been focusing on exploring my interests and developing new skills until I was suddenly contacted about the program.
What was the best thing about the Cybersecurity Training Program?
One of the best things about the cybersecurity training program was learning about topics across the cyber domain from experts in the field – all through a curriculum that was informed and supported by professionals actively working in the industry. Getting to hear from various guest speakers also helped provide a better sense of what a career in cybersecurity had in store.
What advice would you give to somebody considering the program?
Be prepared to learn a lot. Pace yourself and take breaks when you can because there is so much to learn in a short span of time that it can be easy to get overwhelmed. It will be challenging but also very rewarding, so make the best of the opportunity to learn as much as you can and do try to get out of your comfort zone.
What did you learn about yourself during the process?
Through the cybersecurity training program, I learned the importance of balancing my energy and managing my stress levels. Approaching the final few weeks of the program, I struggled to stay motivated between all the lectures, business skills development classes, and hands-on training. I’m not sure if I’ve ever learned so much in such a brief time that I was unable to handle things on my own. Thankfully, I was able to rely on the support from my family, friends, and the team at Palette to help me through the program.
How did the program challenge or change your perspective on something?
The program changed my perspective on the importance of security in our daily lives. As technology advances, its integration to make our day-to-day easier to navigate can have negative effects which people may often not consider or worry about. With more connectivity comes more avenues for security flaws to be present and exploited. It’s definitely made me more sceptical of the information I may come across online and I find myself at times going down rabbit holes trying to get to some reasonable truth in my exploration of the unknown.
How did Palette’s community of support impact your experience?
Palette’s community of support played a big part in my success. I was always met with patience and understanding whenever I had any questions or concerns that I brought up with the team at Palette.
