Our Cyber Pathways Mentorship Program connects students from universities across the United States with experienced cybersecurity professionals, making mentorship and career exposure accessible regardless of location.
We’re proud to celebrate the successful launch of Cyber Pathways Mentorship Program , with inaugural cohorts held in Summer 2025 and Fall 2025. Delivered as a fully virtual program over the course of eight weeks, Cyber Pathways was designed to connect students from universities across the United States with experienced cybersecurity professionals, making mentorship and career exposure accessible regardless of location.
The program brought together mentees and mentors from different parts of the country, creating a truly nationwide learning community. Students from colleges and universities spanning multiple regions came together to learn, connect, and grow. Our 2025 mentees represented a diverse range of institutions, including University of Michigan, University of California - Berkeley, University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA), University of Southern California (USC), University of Arizona, Cal Poly Pomona, and Coastline College.
A defining feature of the Cyber Pathways Mentorship Program was its structured, one-on-one mentorship model, delivered consistently throughout the eight-week virtual experience. Each mentee was paired with an industry professional who provided personalized guidance, exclusive career insights, and candid perspectives on navigating the cybersecurity field.
Over the course of the program, mentors worked closely with mentees on career development concepts such as exploring different cybersecurity roles, identifying individual strengths and interests, and mapping actionable steps towards their goals. This extended mentorship format allowed relationships to deepen over time, giving mentees space to ask thoughtful questions, receive tailored feedback, and gain clarity about their career direction.
Our mentors brought real-world expertise from a variety of industries and cybersecurity disciplines, helping bridge the gap between academic learning and industry practice through consistent virtual engagement and practical insight.
Throughout the program, participants engaged in hands-on mentorship sessions and guided learning discussions covering core cybersecurity domains, including: Identity & Access Management (IAM), Cyber Defense, Cloud Security, Threat & Vulnerability Management, Security Architecture, and Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC).
In addition to technical exposure, mentees strengthened critical professional and soft skills such as resume writing, professional communication, navigating career uncertainty, and presenting themselves confidently in interviews and networking environments.
The Cyber Pathways Mentorship Program reflects Project Cyber’s commitment to building the next generation of cybersecurity leaders through community, mentorship, and practical knowledge. By offering a virtual, nationwide program grounded in sustained one-on-one mentorship, Cyber Pathways helps demystify the cybersecurity industry and make career opportunities feel more accessible, achievable, and inclusive.
The success of our first year demonstrates the power of connection, representation, and intentional mentorship – and we’re just getting started!
