Q & A with Shaqayeq, who’s building her career with the Cybersecurity IDeA Cadetship program.
Shaqayeq Bahrami is in her second year of a Bachelor of Cybersecurity, but she’s already working with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), monitoring cyber threats and responding to real incidents.
Through the UTS IDeA Cadetship, she’s combining study with industry experience from day one, building skills, confidence, and career direction before graduation.
Why did you choose UTS and the IDeA Cadetship?
I’m from Newcastle, and most people I knew were staying local. But I wanted a degree where I could actually see what my future career would look like while studying.
I’d heard about the IDeA Cadetship through a friend, and what stood out was the industry experience coupled with studying Cybersecurity. Other universities offered IT degrees, but UTS was the only one where you could work in the field from the beginning.
I started my cadetship about three weeks into uni. It was exciting, but also a bit intimidating at first. "
Shaqayeq Bahrami
UTS Bachelor of Cybersecurity student
What was it like starting work so early in life?
I didn’t have any technical background, so even basic terms were new to me.
But my team was very supportive, and no one expected me to know everything. I started my work rotation in Application Security, learning about tools and different types of threats.
Now I’m in the Security Operations Centre, which focuses on incident response. We monitor alerts, investigate suspicious activity, and decide what needs further action.
How does work connect with your studies?
There are a lot of crossovers. In class, we might learn about something, and then I’ll see a version of that come through as a real alert at work. These scenarios help with making everything make sense because you’re not just learning theory, you’re seeing how it applies in real situations.
What skills have you developed through the cadetship?
A big one is analytical thinking, but in a more real-world sense.
At work, you have to think about impact, who is affected, what the consequences are, and how to respond. It’s more in-depth than just solving a problem for an assignment.
That’s changed how I approach my uni assignments as well. I think more broadly now.
What was holding you from applying to the program?
Yes, mainly because I didn’t have coding experience. I thought I wasn’t qualified. But the application guidelines made it clear that they were looking for students who were willing to learn, not for prior experience.
Looking back, I’m really glad I gave it a go.
What has your experience been like as a Muslim woman working in tech?
Coming from a minority background, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The UTS community is very diverse. So I've never felt defined by my culture; I'm just another student. At work, although there are more men in my immediate team, I’ve seen a lot of women in leadership roles. That’s really inspiring, because I can see what’s possible.
What would you say to other women considering tech?
Don’t be intimidated; take up opportunities when they come up. Even if you’re unsure.
You never know which opportunity could lead to something bigger.
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