We recently spoke with a former student, Harisankar Kalathil Salim, who graduated from the MSc in Cybersecurity programme. He shared his incredible journey, from being a below-average student with no clear goals to becoming a successful cybersecurity professional. Keep reading below to hear his experience.
1. Why did you choose National College of Ireland for your Master's in Cybersecurity?
I haven’t always been the driven person I am today. During my undergraduate years back in my home country, I was actually a backbencher – a below-average student without much motivation or any clear goals. Part of the reason was that I was studying in a field I wasn’t interested in, which left me feeling disengaged. When it came time for placements, all my friends started getting job offers, and I felt left behind and unsure of my future. That was a wake-up call for me. One day, I had a realisation: I needed to do something with my life that I truly loved. That spark set me on a path to find my passion.
I began an intense period of self-reflection and research into different domains. Initially, I dabbled in front-end development, but then a random video about cybersecurity caught my eye. As I learned more about cybersecurity – the idea of ethical hacking, protecting systems, red teams vs. blue teams – something just clicked. I realised, “This is it. This is my field and my dream career.” From that moment, I was determined to pivot into cybersecurity and achieve greatness in this domain.
Since I had no prior background in computer science or IT, I literally started from scratch. In 2022, while many of my peers were settling into comfortable jobs, I was at home grinding away on online materials and YouTube tutorials. I built my foundation by learning Linux, computer networks, and cybersecurity fundamentals through any free resources I could find. In parallel, I decided that pursuing a master’s degree would accelerate my transition into the field and give me a formal education in cybersecurity. Even though my undergraduate degree wasn’t aligned with cybersecurity, I was confident that with enough self-study, a couple of certifications, and some hands-on experience, I could make it.
To bolster my credentials, I earned a professional certification – the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) – which is a well-known entry-level certification in cybersecurity. I also managed to get some work experience in my home country: first as a cybersecurity trainee and later as a cybersecurity trainer. These steps not only confirmed that I loved this field but also strengthened my profile for master’s applications.
When researching where to do my master’s, I considered several countries and universities. Ireland quickly became my top choice because it’s a tech hotspot with many big companies located here, meaning lots of opportunities in fields like cybersecurity. I made a list of universities and colleges in Ireland that offered cybersecurity courses and started comparing them.
NCI was initially in my top 5 options, but the more I researched its MSc in Cybersecurity, the more it stood out to me. The curriculum was exactly what I was looking for – the modules seemed highly aligned with current industry trends and employer needs, covering practical areas of cybersecurity rather than just theory.
On top of that, NCI offers scholarships for international students with strong academic or professional backgrounds, and I was thrilled to find out I was eligible for one based on my achievements.
Ultimately, I chose NCI for my master’s because it checked all the boxes: an up-to-date course structure, a strong reputation in computing, promising career support, and the added incentive of a scholarship. When I received my conditional offer letter for the MSc in Cybersecurity at NCI in 2023, along with the scholarship, it was an unforgettable moment. I knew this was the first big step towards turning my career around and doing something I was genuinely passionate about.
2. Can you share some insights into what it was really like studying the MSc in Cybersecurity at NCI? What did you find most challenging and most rewarding about the course?
Studying at NCI was a refreshing change because I was finally learning what I love. Coming in, I already had a basic foundation from my self-study, so I was excited to dive deeper. One great thing about NCI’s academic setup is that it’s quite flexible and practical. For instance, there was no strict attendance policy for lectures, which meant I could balance a part-time job alongside my studies and even dedicate time to job hunting and networking. This level of trust and flexibility was very helpful for me as an international student trying to build a career.
The MSc in Cybersecurity curriculum at NCI was comprehensive and hands-on. Some of the core modules I studied included:
- Network Security and Penetration Testing
- Security Fundamentals
- Data Governance, Ethics and Sustainability
- Cloud Architectures and Security
- Cryptography and Blockchain
- AI/ML in Cybersecurity
- Business Resilience and Incident Management
I also had electives like Secure Web Development and Malware Analysis. These modules were not just buzzwords on a syllabus – each one had practical labs, projects, or scenario-based continuous assessments that made the learning experience very engaging. We weren’t simply cramming for exams or memorising theory. Instead, we were tasked with applying what we learned to real-world-inspired scenarios. For example, in the Network Security module, we conducted a simulated penetration test on a mock network, and in Cloud Security, we designed a secure cloud architecture for a hypothetical company.
The most challenging part of the course for me was juggling multiple responsibilities. Like many postgrad students, I was doing a part-time job to support myself while keeping up with coursework and personal projects. Time management became crucial. There were moments when deadlines for assignments, projects, and work shifts all collided – and those times were definitely stressful. However, because I was genuinely interested in the subjects, I found the motivation to push through long days (and a few all-nighters when necessary). It also helped that NCI’s approach to learning is application-focused; since I could directly see the results of my work in labs or projects, it kept me from feeling burned out by theoretical overload.
The most rewarding part of studying at NCI was how much I grew in skill and confidence over those months. Each project I completed and each continuous assessment I aced felt like a personal victory because I could see myself getting better and more knowledgeable in real time. I particularly loved that everyone’s projects were unique – there was no one “right” answer, and we were encouraged to be creative and do our own research. This not only deepened my technical knowledge but also improved my soft skills like problem-solving, research, teamwork, and even documentation. I got into the habit of documenting everything I did for projects – the methods I followed, the issues I encountered, and how I resolved them. That habit made me more reflective and prepared me to discuss my work confidently in job interviews later on.
Another rewarding aspect was the support and passion of the faculty. The lecturers at NCI are truly enthusiastic about what they teach, and many have industry experience. They were always approachable for questions or guidance, which made a huge difference, especially for someone like me who was essentially transitioning fields. With their mentorship and the practical structure of the course, I managed to do well academically – I was proud to graduate with a Second Class Honours degree (something I could hardly imagine back in my undergrad days!).
Overall, the NCI experience was very empowering. It transformed me from a passive learner into an active problem-solver. By the end of the program, I felt ready to take on real-world challenges in cybersecurity, and that feeling was incredibly satisfying.
3. Do you have any advice for someone who is considering their college choices and who may be interested in studying Cybersecurity at NCI?
Absolutely! I’d encourage anyone considering NCI for cybersecurity (or any tech field) to go for it – especially if you value practical, industry-focused learning. Here are a few pieces of advice based on my experience:
- Follow your passion but be prepared to work for it: If cybersecurity is what excites you, don’t be discouraged even if your background isn’t a perfect fit. I came from a different undergrad field and had to play catch-up, but with dedication (through self-study and certifications), I was able to excel. NCI’s program is welcoming to people from various backgrounds, and if you put in the effort, you can absolutely succeed.
- Take your projects and continuous assessments seriously: This is probably my biggest piece of advice to current or future students. The projects and CAs aren’t just about getting grades – they’re your chance to build real, practical skills. Treat them like simulated job assignments. Not only will you learn more, but later on in interviews, you’ll have solid examples to talk about. For instance, if you do a thesis or capstone project on penetration testing, that can become a great story to demonstrate your expertise to an employer.
- Use NCI’s resources (and then some): Make use of the careers service, attend any workshops or career fairs, and don’t hesitate to ask your lecturers for guidance. I found that support is there, but you have to take the initiative to use it. Also, keep learning outside of class – cybersecurity is a field where you need to stay up-to-date. Participate in online courses, join cybersecurity clubs or Capture The Flag competitions, and maybe pursue certifications like CEH, CompTIA Security+, etc., alongside your studies. It all complements what you learn in the classroom.
- Network from day one: We’ve talked about networking already, and I can’t stress it enough. Start connecting with your peers, faculty, and NCI alumni as soon as you can. Dublin’s tech scene might feel big, but it’s well-connected – sometimes, who you know can nicely supplement what you know. Join relevant LinkedIn groups, consider attending local cybersecurity meetups or conferences if possible, and build those relationships early. They can lead to mentorship, job referrals, or, at the very least, good advice.
- Stay resilient and enjoy the journey: There will be challenging times – maybe a tough exam or a slow response from employers when you start job hunting – but remember why you chose this field. If you have a genuine interest in cybersecurity, even the hard parts (like debugging code at 2 AM or chasing down why a server isn’t secure) can be rewarding in the end. Keep your end goal in mind, but also take time to enjoy the learning process. A couple of years ago, I was a confused graduate unsure of my path; studying at NCI became my stepping stone to an exciting new career. So, take the leap, work hard, and make the most of it – you’ll look back and be amazed at how far you’ve come.
This is Part 1 of Harisankar's story. Keep an eye out for Part 2, where he talks about securing his job at Amazon (AWS), coming soon!
Want to learn more about studying at NCI? Visit our International Hub and check out our course page!
