An excellent opportunity to get in touch with many professionals from the industry and kick-start your career

Taisiia Garkava, Former student & ambassador of Cyberworkplace

Please introduce yourself.

My name is Taisiia, I am 25 years old, and I live in Delft. I was born in Ukraine, but when I was seventeen, I got a chance to move to The Netherlands and since then considered this country my home. This year, I graduated from the Safety and Security Management program at The Hague University of Applied Sciences. If I have some free time, I like to spend it seeing my friends, going to the cinema, reading or travelling. 

When did you join Cyberworkplace? 

I joined Cyberworkplace in October 2021 after a friend of mine told me about a workshop that was given by the organization. I thought, “It sounds exciting. I need to sign up”. That is how it all started.

What did you like about Cyberworkplace? 

I liked the atmosphere and people at Cyberworkplace. It always inspired me to see how much everyone is dedicated to their work. I truly enjoyed being there every Friday, talking to people and learning something new. 

What have you learned at Cyberworkplace?

At Cyberworkplace, I was happy to get my first introduction to the basics of Python programming language. Workshops were intense and very practically oriented, which I liked a lot. Additionally, it was very motivating to talk to many people in the industry and learn about their experiences.

What is your most favorite moment at Cyberworkplace? 

There were many moments that I liked about Cyberworkplace, but thinking of the most favorite one – it is the Christmas quiz when we all were competing for a prize. I really liked that next to acquiring the knowledge, there were often moments when we just had some fun.

What are you currently up to?

Currently, I am working full-time at the company Darktrace. Starting in September, I will combine it with a Master’s program at Leiden University and part-time positions as a junior researcher at the Centre of Expertise Cyber Security in The Hague.

Describe Cyberworkplace with three words.

Knowledgeable, fun, motivating. 

Would you recommend Cyberworkplace to your friends and acquaintances? 

I would definitely recommend Cyberworkplace to anyone who wants to work in the field of cybersecurity. You will learn a lot and get to know other people interested in working in the same area. Besides, this is an excellent opportunity to get in touch with many professionals from the industry and kick-start your career.

Is there anything else that you would like to add?

Lastly, I want to encourage you to do your best – read, take extra courses, ask questions, learn and continuously improve. If you are working hard on getting where you want to be – you will get there quicker than you think. Also, take risks and do not be afraid of doing things that you thought were impossible.

Check the requirements and join Cyberworkplace here.