Massachusetts Cybersecurity Mentorship Program

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Applications for the Spring 2026 Massachusetts Cybersecurity Mentorship Program are now open.

The cybersecurity workforce in Massachusetts suffers from a lack of diversity. According to the Aspen Institute, it is estimated that only 4% of cybersecurity workers self-identify as Hispanic, 9% as Black and 24% as women. Due to its widely recognized power for enhancing participation in a career field, mentorship can help develop a more inclusive cyber workforce by preparing diverse talent, especially college students, to pursue careers in cybersecurity. 

The MassCyberCenter created the Cybersecurity Mentorship Program to provide opportunities for diverse Massachusetts undergraduate college students to learn about careers in cybersecurity and develop their professional networks through direct engagement with industry professionals. The goal of the Cybersecurity Mentorship Program is to encourage diverse undergraduate college students to continue to pursue a career in cybersecurity and promote the diversity of the cybersecurity workforce in Massachusetts.  

Overview

There are three main components to the Program:

  1. Direct Mentorship – Students and their mentor, a cyber industry professional, will be matched together to have a one-on-one, ongoing dialogue on careers in cybersecurity. Students will learn directly from their mentor about the different types of cybersecurity jobs and how to leverage their studies into a career in cybersecurity through phone calls, video chats and in-person meetings;
  2. Student Project – Students and their mentors will work together on a cybersecurity project. The MassCyberCenter will predefine and scope the projects, which will include technical and non-technical options. Students will present their projects during a showcase event in June 2026; and
  3. Events – Students will participate virtually in cybersecurity career panels. Students and mentors will also have the opportunity to attend the 2026 Massachusetts Cybersecurity Forum. The Forum is an invitation-only event convened by the Commonwealth to highlight partnerships across the cybersecurity ecosystem and advance Massachusetts’ global leadership in cybersecurity.

As part of the direct mentorship or working on the project, students and mentors are expected to meet one hour every two weeks at a minimum.

337 Students and 41 Schools Represented

 

Cyber Mentorship Map

 

Below are the world-class organizations whose employees have dedicated their time and insights to become mentors for our Massachusetts cybersecurity students.

123 Mentors from 80 Companies

 

 

Program Eligibility

  • Students
    • Diverse students, including those who are Black, Hispanic and women with a passion for cybersecurity are encouraged to apply.
    • Must be an undergraduate enrolled in a Massachusetts college or university during the spring 2026 academic semester. Both Massachusetts residents and non-residents who attend a Massachusetts college or university are eligible to apply. (Note: Graduate students are not eligible to participate at this time.)
    • Must have academic or professional experience related to cybersecurity and an interest in exploring a career in the cybersecurity field.
    • Must be able to meet with their mentor for a minimum of one hour every two weeks as part of the direct mentorship or student project components of the program.
  • Mentors
    • Cyber professionals with a commitment to promoting diversity in the cybersecurity workforce are encouraged to apply to be a mentor.
    • Must be an employee of a Massachusetts cybersecurity company or employed as a cybersecurity professional in a Massachusetts-based company.
    • The mentor’s company must endorse their participation in the Program by signing a Mentor Participation Agreement.
    • Must be able to meet with their student mentee(s) for a minimum of one hour every two weeks as part of the direct mentorship or student project components of the Program.

Spring 2026 Applications

Applications for the spring 2026 cohort are open until Sunday, March 1. Student and mentor applications can be found at the links below:  

Student Application          Mentor Application

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