The solution

How Brooklyn STEAM Center created a cybersecurity pathway with Work ED

"At the Brooklyn Steam Center, we have directly observed the profound changes brought about by Work ED's externships and pre-apprenticeship programs."

Damiano Mastrandrea, Work-Based Learning Coordinator, Brooklyn STEAM Center

The Brooklyn STEAM Center is a destination for ambitious young high school students. Funded by NYC Public Schools, it sits among 400 business in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, a hub of entrepreneuship on a regenerated shipworks. Its mission statement is:

“Building with and not for.”

Students don’t go to the Brooklyn STEAM center (BSC) to get taught. They go there to do, under the supervision, guidance, and mentorship of industry experts. Whether students are interested in construction, film and media, or computer science, there are dedicated work spaces with modern technologies available for them to experience the practical side of a potential career pathway.

To build on its impactful computer science offerings, BSC approached Work ED. Work ED had been developing a cybersecurity program out of NYC for years, led by seasoned cybersecurity expert Ben Crenshaw, former Senior Analyst at Oracle. Ben has been at the frontier of cyber education, working as a Cybersecurity Teacher at Canyons Technical Education Center in Utah.

Cybersecurity is an in-demand industry that is experiencing skills gaps, both in the US and globally. It's also a high-salary career, with entry-level wages averaging $75,804 for an entry-level cybersecurity analyst in the US. This, plus the pride that comes with protecting the nation’s infrastructure, makes cybersecurity a highly desirable career pathway for students interested in STEM subjects.

This made the Work ED Cybersecurity Pathway a great fit for BSC students.

And it is a defined pathway, with each step intentionally designed to bring students closer to a career in cybersecurity. As guest speaker Michael Woodson, Global Director of Cybersecurity and Privacy for International Hotels Corp. put it at a recent Work ED externship in California:

"This is a true model. It's not a concept."

Michael Woodson, Global Director of Cybersecurity and Privacy for International Hotels Corp

The first cohort to go through the entire pathway in 2023 began with the Cyber Discovery Externship, where they were introduced to cybersecurity as a career pathway, learning about why it's a desirable career (entry-level salaries can be as high as $75K), and why it's an essential skill to protect the nation.

After successful completion, students applied for the Advanced Cyber Externship, where they built on the skills they'd developed, using more advanced tools and real-world scenarios.

“The guest speakers gave a lot of knowledge that you wouldn't have if you were just learning from a regular teacher."

Adrian, Cyber Scholar

The final stage of the Cyber Pathway saw students enter a 6-week Pre-Apprenticeship. The level stepped up as students were tasked with simulating the role of a Cyber professional, using more advanced tools to investigate cyber crimes and present their findings, just as a Cybersecurity leader would report to a CEO. The Pre-Apprenticship featured a variety of guest industry experts and a return from past Work ED cyber grads Akeeme Black, who is now a Data Engineer at IBM and Program Lead on Work ED's Cyber Team, and Matthew Resnick, back as a Program Coordinator at Work ED.

Over the 6-week program, students participated in several projects, exercises, and field work, including:

• Undertaking a penetration test (something companies use to find and fix vulnerabilities before hackers can use them) at the United Nations in New York

• Visiting the headquarters of Summit Trail Advisors, to learn from Chief Information Security Officer Arelenee Lopez

• An Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) exercise with Raili Taylor, Senior Data Scientist for the State of Utah

• Mock interviews with Micheal Woodson, Global Director of Cybersecurity and Privacy for International Hotels Corp

The team at BSC has been impressed by what they've from these students, and from the Work ED Cyber Team that helped them through the program.

"The commitment of Work ED to customized, experiential learning sets them in a league of their own as pioneers in work-centered education," so said Damiano Mastrandrea, Work-Based Learning Coordinator at BSC. "[Work ED] connect theoretical classroom education with practical industry involvement, equipping our students with priceless understanding and prospects for their careers. "

At the end of 6 intensive weeks of Pre-Apprenticeship, the first Cyber Pathway cohort are ready for the next stage in their cyber journey. Work ED, and their newfound professional network of cyber experts, will be there offering advice, as they graduate high school and head out into their future.

Students and staff in the Cyber Pre-Apprenticeship on a penetration-testing exercise in the field at the UN Headquarters in New York. Copyright Work ED.

The team checks out some cybersecurity history at the UN, guided by Donna Woods, back row, far right, who won the inaugural Presidential Cybersecurity Education Award. Copyright Work ED.

Work ED Cyber graduate and IBM Data Engineer Akeeme Black returns as a guest speaker on the Pre-Apprenticeship. Copyright Work ED.

Matthew Resnick drops by to share his expertise as a Work ED cyber grad. Copyright Work ED.

Work ED's Cyber Team, led by Ben Crenshaw, former Vulnerability Analyst at Oracle , 3rd from right, have created a program that aims to get students jobs in cybersecurity—as highlighted by past Cyber Program grad and current IBM Data Engineer Akeeme Black, back row, second from left. Copyright Work ED.

What the industry pros had to say:

"This program has created the foundation for success. Everybody that I've talked to today: motivated, ready to go, knowing what they want, self-confident, self-awareness, have a plan in mind really to tackle early in life, even in the mock interview, walking into that room with confidence, knowing what they're about, able to answer questions, unbelievable."

Michael Woodson, Director of Information Security and Privacy, Sonesta Hotels

“It was so encouraging to see so many students engaged in cybersecurity, talking about and asking questions around real-life scenarios.”

Benazeer Daruwella, CISO and Founder of Cyber Minds Solutions

“It's nice for [the students] to get the chance to work with folks who are actively working in the industry and can answer their questions about what a day-to-day looks like, why it might be something they're interested in, and what it takes to get to the right place.”

Megan Kaczanowski, Assistant Director of Security Strategy, Northwestern Mutual

“Cybersecurity isn't one of those careers where you need to start or finish college to get into it. There are free resources ”and certifications you can take to get you ready for entry-level positions, and you can continue your growth while you're employed. That's what makes this program really interesting is it starts you early on. I wish I had that opportunity.

Arlenee Lopez, CISO, Summit Trail Advisor