Sakshi Singh

Why do I have to take a tech course offline? That was my first thought when I came across the Cyber Vaahini program. My name is Sakshi Singh, and I am from Mumbai, the city of dreams, where I too nurtured one among many.

Long before the word 'cyber security' entered curriculums, it had already caught my attention. Thanks to the newspapers that filled the corridors of my home, I was exposed to frequent reports on cyberattacks and how they could cripple systems if not handled well. This got me thinking about how I could venture into a field that makes such a significant difference in the security ecosystem.

Throughout my schooling, I continued to read about cyber security, and after 12th, I chose to pursue a B.Tech in Computer Science, believing it to be the first step toward entering my dream domain. I was fortunate to secure a scholarship for my degree and actively began searching for cyber security certifications. However, the available courses were expensive, and coming from a single-income household, pursuing these certifications seemed almost impossible. Additionally, after COVID-19, our household finances suffered further setbacks.

As a result, moving into backend development appeared to be a viable option, especially at a time when AI and Data Science were not yet integral parts of the structured academic syllabus. I slowly began to let go of my dream until the college placement cell connected us with the team at Employment Express.

Through them, I was introduced to the Cyber Vaahini Program. My initial thought was, why pursue a tech course offline? Still, I reluctantly agreed to sit in for the Cyber Vaahini Program, and I was surprised by the depth of the subject and the emphasis on practical training. The four-month course not only strengthened my technical understanding but also helped me realize that earning cyber security credentials can be inexpensive too.

From soft skills to simulation exercises to interactions with industry experts, my four months with the Cyber Vaahini team were filled with the kind of learning I had always sought.

Recently, I was placed as Associate System Engineer at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) during a state government organized job fair. I was also felicitated by Shri Sanjay Upadhyay, Member of the Legislative Assembly of Maharashtra, for securing this opportunity.

I am deeply grateful to the teams at Employment Express, Kyndryl, and the Data Security Council of India for helping me stay true to my aspirations. This one is just the beginning of what I hope will be a long and meaningful journey in cyber security.