NCI Blog

In this Part 2 blog post, Harisankar shared his journey from being an aimless student to landing his dream job as a Graduate Cloud Support Associate at Amazon Web Services (AWS). If you missed the start of his inspiring story, make sure to read Part 1: My Journey to Studying Cybersecurity at National College of Ireland.  Harisankar proves that strategic planning, persistence, and engaging with the NCI Careers Service can unlock top-tier roles for international students in Ireland.

Have a read below for his invaluable tips on mastering the Irish job market!

What was your experience like finding your first job in Ireland after graduating from NCI? Do you have any practical tips for international students entering the Irish job market?

Finding my first job in Ireland was a journey that actually started long before I graduated. Being an international student, I knew I had to be proactive and persistent. I started by leveraging LinkedIn heavily: even while I was studying, I consistently used LinkedIn to build my network, follow tech companies in Ireland, and post about projects I was working on. This helped me understand the Irish job market and what employers were looking for.

I probably sent out 300+ job applications throughout my final semester and the months right after finishing the course. It was challenging. I received lots of rejection emails, or sometimes no replies at all. But I tried not to get discouraged by those outcomes. Each application taught me something, and I kept refining my CV and cover letters based on the feedback I received (or based on the lack of responses).

One thing that really helped was the NCI Careers Service; they introduced me to the concept of ATS-friendly CVs (tailoring my resume with the right keywords so that applicant tracking systems would pick it up) and even provided tools to check my CV’s compatibility.

I took advantage of this by continuously improving my resumé’s format and content to better match the jobs I was applying for. By the time I graduated, I had a much better sense of timing and strategy. For example, I learned that many graduate programmes in big companies open up their applications in early autumn, so it’s beneficial to apply early. In my case, all the hard work paid off in a big way. On the day of my graduation, I received an invitation to interview for a Graduate Cloud Support Associate role at Amazon Web Services (AWS), focusing on security and cryptography. I was absolutely thrilled (and honestly a bit shocked) to see my application get picked out of what must have been thousands of candidates.

The interview process at AWS was intense - four rounds combining deep technical questions and behavioural scenario questions. I prepared as much as I could, reviewing my cybersecurity knowledge and doing mock interviews. One thing I realised during those interviews was how useful my NCI projects and assignments, and part-time work experience, especially the Lab Assistant job and Computing Teaching Assistant roles in NCI, were. When they asked scenario-based questions or asked me to discuss past experiences, I had a wealth of examples to draw from. I could talk about how I set up a secure network in one of my assignments, or how I responded to a simulated cyber incident in a class project. The times I helped cloud computing students with technical issues in the lab. Those concrete examples from my NCI coursework really helped me stand out and handle the questions confidently. In the end, I was offered the job at AWS! To add to the excitement, around the same time, I also got an offer for an entry-level cybersecurity role at HP. I ultimately chose the AWS position (a dream come true for me), but it was validating to see multiple opportunities come through. It felt like just yesterday I was that lost undergrad, and here I was with offers from top tech companies.

Practical tips for international students looking to enter the Irish job market:

• Start early: Don’t wait until after graduation to job hunt. Begin in your final semester or even earlier. Many graduate programmes recruit months in advance, and having a head start helps a lot.
• Use LinkedIn strategically: Connect with professionals in your field, follow companies you’re interested in, and engage with industry content. A strong LinkedIn presence can get you noticed and also keep you informed about trends and job openings.
• Tailor your CV for ATS: Many Irish employers use Applicant Tracking Systems to screen resumés. Make sure your CV is clear, well-formatted, and contains relevant keywords from the job description so it doesn’t get filtered out before a human ever sees it.
• Leverage your college’s career services: NCI’s careers team, for example, was invaluable in reviewing my CV and conducting mock interviews. They understand the local job market well and can provide personalised advice - take advantage of that expertise.
• Be persistent and resilient: You might apply to dozens or even hundreds of jobs before something clicks. Rejections (or silence) are normal - try not to take them to heart. Learn from each experience, adjust your approach if needed, and keep pushing forward. Your perseverance will pay off.
• Highlight your projects and skills: As a new graduate, you might lack extensive work experience, but you can showcase the projects, internships, or certifications you’ve completed. Be ready to discuss what you learned from them. For instance, I often talked about my thesis and class projects during interviews to demonstrate my hands-on experience.
• Understand the work authorisation landscape: As an international student, be aware of visa requirements and stay updated on any post-study work permissions (like the Third Level Graduate Scheme in Ireland). This way, you can confidently reassure potential employers that you’re authorised to work in Ireland.

What kind of support or resources did you use at NCI that helped you land your role at AWS?

NCI offered a range of supports that proved extremely helpful in my journey to landing a job. First and foremost, the NCI Careers Service was fantastic. They hosted workshops and one-on-one sessions that taught us how to craft effective CVs and cover letters specifically for the Irish job market. As I mentioned, they introduced me to ATS optimisation and even had tools where I could upload my CV to get feedback on how well it might perform. They also ran mock interviews; I remember doing a mock behavioural interview with one of the career advisors, which was great practice for the real thing.

Harisankar Kalathil Salim and Caroline Kennedy (Head of Career Development & Employability) at the Careers Launch Graduation

Another major resource was the people at NCI themselves. Many of my lecturers had industry connections or prior industry experience. Throughout the course, they would drop helpful career-related advice - whether it was about which certifications are in demand or insights into how certain companies approach security. We also had guest lectures and alumni networking events where recent graduates came back to share their experiences. I tried to attend as many of these as I could. For example, hearing from an NCI alumnus who had landed a cybersecurity job in Dublin gave me both inspiration and practical tips (I actually connected with a couple of those alumni on LinkedIn afterwards). These interactions made me more aware of what employers expect and how to position myself.

Additionally, the curriculum itself was a resource. The fact that our coursework was so practical meant that by the time I was applying for jobs, I had a solid portfolio of “experience” in the form of academic projects. I could show potential employers that I didn’t just have a degree on paper, but I also knew how to apply that knowledge in realistic settings. For instance, I could reference the project where I configured a secure network, or the one where I performed a vulnerability assessment, or how I dissected a piece of malware in my elective module. Being able to point to these specific experiences on my CV and in interviews gave me an edge, because it demonstrated initiative and real skills.

Lastly, I have to credit the overall environment at NCI. It’s a very inclusive college, so I never felt out of place as a newcomer to Ireland. That supportive environment boosted my confidence to reach out to people and seek help when needed. Whether it was administrative staff helping me with visa paperwork or classmates sharing job leads in our group chat, the sense of community at NCI contributed a lot to my success. All of these resources combined - career services, faculty guidance, practical coursework, and a supportive community – played a role in helping me land my role at AWS.

How important do you think networking and building connections were for your success here in Ireland?

Networking and building connections were absolutely crucial for me - I can’t overstate it. In a country like Ireland, which has a relatively small and tight-knit tech community, the power of knowing people and getting your name out there is extremely valuable.

From the moment I decided to study in Ireland, I started networking on LinkedIn. Even before I arrived in Dublin, I was connecting with NCI alumni, cybersecurity professionals, and recruiters in companies I was interested in. This helped me in a few ways. Firstly, it gave me insight into the industry – seeing the posts and articles that professionals shared helped me understand the local cybersecurity landscape (for example, which tools or skills were in demand). Secondly, some of these connections were kind enough to answer my questions about working in Ireland or even give feedback on my job search approach.

Networking wasn’t just about online connections either. At NCI, I made it a point to talk to classmates and lecturers beyond just what we learned in class. Many of my classmates were also international students, and we would exchange information about job openings or events we came across. I attended events like career fairs and tech talks on campus and introduced myself to company representatives or guest speakers. Even if it was just a brief conversation, I found that people remembered me later on LinkedIn or when I applied to their company, which made follow-up interactions much smoother.

One concrete example: I once reached out on LinkedIn to a cybersecurity professional who was an NCI alumnus, just to introduce myself and let him know I was starting the same programmes he had completed. He replied with encouragement, and we stayed in occasional contact by commenting on each other’s posts. Months later, I noticed a job posting at his company. I messaged him, mentioning that I applied, and he responded with some tips for the interview process. That insider perspective was incredibly helpful when I was preparing. He didn’t get me the job outright (I still had to earn it), but his advice gave me an extra edge.

Moreover, pushing myself to network like this - something I’d never have done back in my shy “backbencher” days - really boosted my confidence in professional settings. By talking to many strangers-turned-connections, I became much more comfortable discussing my work and aspirations. I believe that confidence definitely showed during interviews and even now as I start my professional career.

All in all, networking was a key part of my success. It opened doors to learning opportunities, provided moral support and practical advice, and maybe even put me on the radar of some decision-makers. I would advise any student or job seeker in Ireland to dedicate time to building genuine connections – you never know which conversation might lead to your next opportunity.

Finally, what’s next for you and your career?

Right now, I’m happily settling into my role as a Graduate Cloud Support Associate (Security) at AWS. My plan for the immediate future is to absorb as much knowledge and experience as I can in this role. AWS is a fantastic place to be for cloud security, and every day on the job, I’m learning something new – whether it’s about a cutting-edge AWS service or a novel security challenge that a client is facing.

In terms of professional development, I’ve set some personal goals for the next couple of years. I plan to pursue further certifications, notably the AWS Solutions Architect certification and some advanced security certifications (like the AWS Security Speciality, and perhaps down the line a CISSP or CISM). These will not only solidify my knowledge but also show my commitment to growing as a professional in cloud and cybersecurity.

I’m also keen on exploring the intersections of cybersecurity with other emerging areas. For example, one of the modules at NCI introduced me to AI and machine learning applications in security, which I found really intriguing. And of course, cloud security is now my daily bread and butter. So, looking ahead, I see myself developing into a specialist who can bridge these domains – perhaps aiming for a role like Cloud Security Architect or a senior security engineer focusing on cloud and AI security. It’s an exciting space that keeps evolving, and I want to stay at the forefront of it.

The great thing about being at a company like Amazon Web Services is that the opportunities for growth are almost limitless. I’m open to wherever this journey takes me – whether it’s climbing the technical ladder, taking on leadership responsibilities, or even exploring a different niche within security. The key for me is to continue following my passion for cybersecurity and cloud technology. As long as I’m doing that, I know I’ll be happy and motivated.

It still feels a bit surreal when I look back on how far I’ve come. I went from being a near-below-average student with no direction to becoming a cloud engineer at AWS in a field I love – all in the span of a few years. I’m incredibly grateful to NCI for providing the launchpad for this transformation: the knowledge, the support, and the confidence to chase my dreams. I’m excited to see what’s next, and I hope my story can inspire others who are at the start of their own journeys in tech. If I can do it, anyone can – you just need to find that spark and be willing to work hard to turn it into a fire.

Ready to start your career in Ireland like Harisankar? Visit our International Hub to learn more about all the support offered by NCI along with scholarships available and how to apply to study at NCI.