Cyber Victoria 2019 Update / Careers in the New Economy Event / Girls Do Cyber Recap

Cyber Victoria 2019 Update / Careers in the New Economy Event / Girls Do Cyber Recap

The Cyber Victorian Schools Challenge is a Victorian Government initiative that aims to ignite interest in cybersecurity careers by empowering students to test drive cyber security careers and build their foundational skills and understanding of the field.

The 2019 Challenge is a ‘Call to Action’ for all schools and tertiary institutions to complete the Optus Cyber Security Experience or the ASD CyberEXP, two LifeJourney career awareness programs sponsored by Optus and the Australian Signals Directorate. The Victorian Government will recognise Victorian schools and tertiary institutions with the highest rates of participation.  

The Optus Cyber Security Experience and the ASD CyberEXP are interactive online experiences that enable students to learn from professionals working in the field of cyber security.

Victorian students will participate virtually in challenging real-world cyber scenarios that allow them to discover the skills and tools used by cyber professionals and explore the vast number of careers in cyber security.

Careers in the New Economy Event at Mount Waverley Secondary College

Mount Waverley Secondary College have participated in the Cyber Victoria Schools Challenge for the second year and are a strong contender in the Awards. In April, over 600 Year 7 and 8 students were immersed in ‘Careers in the New Economy’ Day. The morning session was facilitated by Wayne Griffin, Head of Science, who told the students he learnt a few new things from the presenters.

Jacyl Shaw, GHD’s Digital Innovation Lead was the inspiring keynote. Jacyl challenged students to think about their tribes, their passion and purpose. Students need to be creative and find new ways that foster fresh innovative thinking in considering future careers.

The expert panel told their personal narratives and gave advice further challenging students. Thank you to MWSC alumni Hamish Kinsella (Basis Networks), Simon Rawson (Powermark Solutions), Albert Oo (Australia Post) and Richard Cirillo (Taylors) for sharing your career perspectives with the students.

During the next two sessions teachers and older students acted as mentors supporting the Year 7 and Year 8 students to understand cyber security careers through the ASD CyberEXP and Optus Cyber Security Experience programs.

LifeJourney acknowledges the vision of the Mount Waverley Secondary College leadership team, Principals Karen Wade and Andrew Batchelor;  the huge efforts of the organisers Matt Hall, Cyber Teacher Champion and Stephanie Thomas, Careers Advisor and Cyber Teacher; classroom teachers who maintained student enthusiasm; Year 10 and 11 technical support students and the fantastic cohort of Year 7 and 8 who provided very positive feedback about their new learning and achievements from the day.

Girls Do Cyber at Joint Cyber Security Centre Melbourne

In early April during the school holidays a large contingent of eager secondary school girls interested in cybersecurity came together at the Joint Cyber Security Centre in Melbourne. The day was designed to provide more understanding about careers in cyber security for the audience through the sharing of perspectives with leading women in cyber security.

The day was kicked off by Alexandria Riley, Cyber Security Strategy, Governance and Industry, Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC). Amy Roberts, Assistant Director Careers-Pathways and inclusion, (ACSC) facilitated an expert panel ‘Exploring Pathways in Cyber Security’ with the following professionals:

  • EJ Wise, Principal Solicitor, Wise Law
  • Jessica Cruz, Software Engineering student, RMIT
  • Emily Pendelbury, Bachelor of Cyber Security student, La Trobe University
  • Richa Sharma, Senior Analyst, Cyber Risk Advisory, Deloitte
  • Skye Wu, Cyber Security Investigator, Telstra, Australian Womens in Security Network Cadet Industry Advisor

Cyber experts and tertiary students opened up freely to talk about cyber security from their own personal experiences and journeys.

Panel presenters and volunteers, Helaine Leggat and Chloe Hatzis, Sladen Legal and Australian Security Industry Association (AISA) helped the panel members with round table discussions. Ellen Lloyd, Assistant Director Careers-Pathways and Inclusion, (ACSC) provided students with fantastic cybersecurity resources. LifeJourney’s Tim Edwards ran the ASD CyberEXP activity to showcase to the girls the diversity of roles at the Australian Signals Directorate.

There was a real buzz over the day. Presenters, volunteers, parents and students have been very happy about the event as an initiative to encourage girls get a toe into the cyber security industry and to learn of the wide range of options and pathways. Girls who attended the day are establishing networks and already enjoying valuable real-world work experience in one of the most exciting in-demand fields globally. Stay tuned for more Girls Do Cyber events. If you wish to have a copy of the resources provided on the Girls Do Cyber day please contact Renee Hoareau at renee@lifejourney.us.