Why did you choose this particular internship?
I always had curiosity for the application of intelligence analysis to spheres other than military and diplomacy. I had applied to various internship at due diligence companies as I wanted to experience the processes private sector uses to address risks. Prevalent resulted the prefect opportunity to apply my background to a new sector. As a cybersecurity and compliance company, it provides a great foot in the door for the field. I wanted to develop open source intelligence skills for the private sector, as well as experience first-hand what I had learned in class about cybersecurity and risks posed by vendors. Prevalent proved to be the best fit for such a stage of my career.
How will this experience help you in your job search and career?
Before this summer I have not had a proper experience either as a full-time employee or in private company. Interning at Prevalent has exposed me to daily dynamics of a fast-paced work environment, for instance delivering something different from academic papers by daily deadlines. Thus, this internship will constitute a fundamental step to get closer to jobs related to security yet in a different domain than what we are used to as SSP students. Hopefully, my gained knowledge of businesses and compliance issues will allow me to obtain a position in a similar company in the United States once graduated.
Have you changed as a result of this experience? If so, why?
The possibility to work on urgent tasks has taught me fundamental lessons about work ethic, team, and time management. The frequent demands to jump on different issues and help colleagues working on other things has made me understanding the importance of good team spirit in a professional environment. The practical ways to apply my generalist background had me realizing how fundamental flexibility and adaptability can be for this sector. I believe that now I am more ready and aware of what employers might look for in an ideal candidate, and I hope that this will help me in my future career pursuits.