From Applicant to CyberGirl: My Journey To Securing The Prestigious Scholarship
Today, I’m not just sharing my experience, I’m equipping you with the tools and insights to forge your own path to becoming a CyberGirl.
The Cybergirls Fellowship: Breaking Barriers, Building Dreams
The CyberGirls Fellowship is a free 1-year fellowship program that equips girls and women aged 18–28 years old with globally sought-after cybersecurity skills, positioning them to start a career in cybersecurity and helping them to seize decent work opportunities within Africa and across the world. During my cohort (CyberGirls 3.0) Success stories were woven into the fabric of our journey. From My Cybersisters landing their first Cybersecurity jobs to three ladies being flown to Miami in an all-expense paid trip to participate in the global ICS workshop hosted and sponsored by the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
Becoming a CyberGirl: The Four Stages to Success
Let’s debunk a myth right away! Know that there is no such thing as an “ideal Cybergirl.” The application process celebrates individuality. It is deliberately tailored to consider each applicant as a unique and whole person and here’s how you can navigate it:
🚀 Stage 1: Crafting Your Compelling Personal Statement:
this stage will require you to fill out an application form with your details and that of your referee. During my time, we were over 20,000 applicants from 22 African countries in the first stage. We were asked to write a 200-word personal statement (Now 500 and a 2-minute video for CyberGirls 4.0) stating “why you should be accepted into the fellowship”. This is where you shine! Consider it a chance to showcase your strengths, unique qualities, talents, accomplishments, why you are interested in the program, and how your experiences align with the organization’s Goal. Don’t exaggerate; the program seeks genuine individuals, not fabricated personas. Remember, even basic cybersecurity knowledge demonstrates initiative.
I strongly advice that you showcase your unique journey and commitment to cybersecurity using the STAR method. Here’s a breakdown to help you understand this method:
S — Situation: What sparked your interest in cybersecurity? This is where you discuss your interest in pursuing a career in cybersecurity. (For me, a friend fell victim to a phishing incident, and in my bid to find a solution I learned about cybersecurity. That’s why I love to learn, explain, and talk about phishing attacks so much. To help people stay informed so they don’t become victims too).
T — Task: What did you do to address the situation? Here is where you discuss what you realize needs to be done and the steps you took to address your situation or problem. With my example above, I enrolled for a one-month cybersecurity BootCamp where I learned more about the basics of cybersecurity. Because I figured I could not address or provide a solution to a problem if I did not have good knowledge about it.
A — Action: Highlight your proactive steps. Here is the opportunity to scale; the selection committee wants to know what actions you took. do not bore them with too much detail as you need to retain their attention. This could be a new thing you learned and implemented, for example (I learned URL scanning with VirusTotal to stay safe). Remember to show how your actions helped or made a contribution.
R — Results: Quantify your achievements. (After taking the Introduction to Cybersecurity course I wrote an exam with a group of people to test my knowledge, I earned a top score and a cash prize which I saved up to get a system with better specifications to advance my cybersecurity career). I couldn’t have passed that exam if I did not join the 1-month Bootcamp.
Connect with Alumni: Seek guidance from those who walked the path before you. (I was taking a break from social media at the time I applied, so I didn’t have that luxury). You’re welcome to reach out to me here on LinkedIn and Twitter (X) if you need your essays and video submissions reviewed before you submit them.
🔎Stage 2: Putting Your Skills to the Test
When I received my mail, I found out I was a part of 2000 selected ladies who made it to the second stage of the selection process out of 20,000 ladies across Africa who applied. frightening right? take a deep breath, Sis, keep your focus and keep pushing. In this stage, your computer literacy skills will be tested, it’s important that you can at least know how to navigate a computer. Your interpersonal skills and IQ will also be tested as you will be journeying with 500+ amazing ladies if you get into the program.
📚 Stage 3: Cybersecurity Course and Dedication
Enrolling in a rigorous cybersecurity course set the pace for stage 3. Meeting the deadline and a 75% passing score was mandatory ( I set a personal threshold of 85% and above for every exam, I continued with this rule even after I got into the program). Do not forget to take notes while you study; you’ll thank yourself later.
🎙️ Stage 4: The Blind Interview
As the name implies, you won’t see your interviewer, but they will see you as your camera will be turned on. All I can say is, Prepare, Prepare, prepare: Anticipate common questions like “Tell me about yourself, background, achievement, reasons for applying’’ You’ve got 15 minutes to make a lasting impression. Remember, only one in three to Four girls make it through this stage, and to be that one, you have to give it your best!
⏳Bonus Stage: The Waiting Game
This is me adding a cheeky fifth stage😁 — the nerve-wracking wait for the congratulatory mail. This is where patience becomes your superpower. When the mail finally came in the morning I couldn’t even open and read it myself. It was read to me at night because I had to take the entire day to gather courage on how to move on if the mail wasn’t congratulatory. Alas! Getting carefully selected as one of the 500+ beneficiaries from 22 African countries was a victory shared with everyone who supported me.
The application for the 2024 cohort is now open! Click on this link to Apply!
I’m rooting for you girl! and when you get your congratulatory mail do not hesitate to share the good news with me. I’m standing at the finish line, ready to celebrate your win!🎉. I wish you all the best in your CyberGirls journey. Remember,
The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.
So go out there, pay your dues, and claim your place in the world of cybersecurity!
