By the time most students were settling into uni life, Alysha was already working in Cybersecurity.
Six months out of high school, and at the age of 17, Alysha Desai stepped into her first corporate role.
Now in her third year, she’s already worked 18 months with Woolworths Group, begun a rotation with TAL’s cyber threat team, and is preparing for a global exchange in Italy.
She hasn’t even graduated.
The Bachelor of Information Technology Co-op Scholarship (BIT) is designed to do exactly this: combine study with paid industry experience from year one.
From classroom to corporate
Stepping into a corporate environment accelerated Alysha's growth in ways a traditional degree couldn’t.
Keen to make a strong first impression, especially at such a young age, she quickly found herself supported by the people around her.
Her co-op cohort became a built-in support system. Subject coordinators were accessible and proactive. And students a year or two ahead of her helped her navigate this journey.
You feel more confident when you've got that support around you. Like, okay, I can do this.”
Alysha Desai
UTS Bachelor of IT Co-op student
Why UTS?
Alysha had heard about UTS throughout high school and attended Open Day more than once. But it was a family friend who introduced her to the BIT Co-op Scholarship, and once she understood what it offered, it clicked.
" My mum works in IT, and she says getting industry experience while studying IT is extremely difficult, especially now. It's a big networking game."
The application process felt straightforward: a few questions, an interview, and a focus on being herself.
"The guidelines make it clear they're not looking for people who say the right things, they're looking for the right fit." She received her offer on the same day she received her ATAR.
"It was a lot of emotions. It was really good security. I was going to uni, and I knew exactly where."
What real industry experience teaches you
At Woolworths, Alysha worked as a junior Business Analyst within a cyber project team. She built technical and analytical skills, gained exposure to industry tools, and developed confidence in a professional environment.
But her biggest lessons weren't technical.
"Even if you're not learning a ton of technical skills, you learn so much from just watching how people talk to each other. What they say. What they don't say. What's acceptable, what's not. That stuff is everything when you're just starting."
Now at TAL, she's starting fresh again, new team, new environment, new ways of working. She's okay with that.
Being a woman in tech
Alysha describes her experience as a woman in the tech as largely positive. But she's thoughtful about it, she doesn't just brush past the nuance. She's worked with both female and male managers, and says each has brought something different and valuable to her growth.
What she reflects on most, though, is the internal dialogue. "It can be difficult to feel like you really are deserving of being where you are,” she says. “I can't always tell if that's just being young, or if it's something women are taught to feel. But taking yourself seriously, that's a choice. I'm still working on it."
Her advice to women entering tech
Alysha encourages women considering STEM to say "yes" often.
- Yes to applying for opportunities.
- Yes to taking on new challenges at work.
- Yes to coffee chats with people outside your immediate field.
- Yes to networking events, even when unsure.
"Show up like you want to be there. Be proactive, curious and on time. Have questions, solutions and make yourself known."
Webpage
Kai is building real-world tech experience through the UTS IDeA cadetship, gaining skills, confidence and career direction from day one.
Webpage
Cybersecurity student Na’ama shares how a UTS cadetship and work at NSW Premier’s Department shaped her path into cyber law and future goals
Webpage
Shaqayeq is already working in the cybersecurity field, monitoring cyber threats and responding to real incidents
Webpage
Arushdeep turned curiosity in tech into real-world experience through the UTS IDEA Cadetship
Webpage
Kai is building real-world tech experience through the UTS IDeA cadetship, gaining skills, confidence and career direction from day one.
Webpage
Cybersecurity student Na’ama shares how a UTS cadetship and work at NSW Premier’s Department shaped her path into cyber law and future goals
Webpage
Shaqayeq is already working in the cybersecurity field, monitoring cyber threats and responding to real incidents
Webpage
Arushdeep turned curiosity in tech into real-world experience through the UTS IDEA Cadetship