Jason Holmes - MSc Cyber Security Graduate Apprentice
Jumping into the Cyber Security MSc was kind of a last-minute decision for me, but honestly, it felt right from the get-go. Cyber security has always been something I geek out about, and it’s super relevant to what I do for work. The idea of cramming a master's into just a year and a half was daunting but also kind of exciting. It meant things were going to be intense, and man, they didn't disappoint. It had been ages since I'd done anything academic, so getting back into the swing of things, especially academic writing, was a bit of a struggle at first. But the pace of the course was so fast that I didn't really have time to overthink it—I just had to get on with it.
The biggest thing I've taken away from this experience is a way deeper understanding of cyber security, beyond just the techy stuff. Don't get me wrong, the time pressure was real. Juggling full-time work with a super condensed course and assignments popping up every three weeks was tough. It took me a good four or five months to really find my rhythm, but once I did, it felt great. The thought of me handling essays, reports, and presentations like it's no big deal would have been laughable a couple of years ago.
For my dissertation, I decided to focus on something close to my heart—my work with Enable Scotland and how we can better support people with disabilities. It's been a lot of work, but also incredibly rewarding. Doing the research and actually seeing how it could help people has been one of the best parts of this whole experience. It's made all the late nights and endless cups of coffee totally worth it!
Looking back, if you'd told me two years ago that I'd be nailing a master's course, I'd have thought you were joking. Starting out, I was full of doubts—worried I wasn't cut out for this. But pushing through those fears has paid off big time. My confidence is through the roof now. So, if you're sitting there thinking you might not be ready or good enough for something like this, my advice is to just go for it. You might surprise yourself. Just be prepared to say adios to your weekends for a while. Trust me, it's worth it in the end.
Blog written by Jason Holmes, MSc Cyber Security Graduate Apprenticeship
