Why Internships Matter for your Future
Internships are one of the best ways to prepare for your future career. They help you connect what you learn in class to real-world situations, giving you a chance to explore different industries, figure out what you enjoy, and discover roles that match your strengths.
In today’s competitive job market, hands-on experience makes a big difference. Employers often value internships as much as a degree, especially in fast-paced fields like technology and cybersecurity. Internships don’t just boost your résumé; they give you practical experience with tools, frameworks, and workflows that you might not see in the classroom.
Beyond technical skills, internships help you build professional connections. These relationships can lead to mentorship, references, and even job offers. You’ll also develop essential soft skills like communication, teamwork, and time management while learning how to thrive in a professional environment.
Your Internship Requirement
If you are an undergraduate student in the Old Dominion University School of Cybersecurity, completing CYSE 368: Internship in Cybersecurity is a required part of your degree. This ensures that every graduate leaves with both academic knowledge and real-world experience, giving you a strong foundation for your career.
ODU-Affiliated Positions
In the ODU Cyber Clinic, students will receive training on different cybersecurity modules which will allow them to interview client organizations during the middle portion of the program. Then, students will work in teams under the supervision of ODU faculty and provide service to the client in one or more areas of cybersecurity network defense, cybersecurity policies and procedures, cybersecurity training for employees, cyber risk assessments, and/or cybersecurity best practices. Learn More ▶
The Innovation Lab at the ODU Center for Educational Innovation and Opportunity is an instructional hub for STEM learning, driven by team building and collaboration. Innovation Lab provides opportunities for students and individuals of all ages, abilities, and disciplines to learn by designing creative solutions to real-world challenges. Students engage in special projects, course content creation, and outreach to students in K-12. Learn More ▶
This year-long internship provides students with experience working in a technical security operations center on campus at Old Dominion University. During the fall semester, students work closely with staff and instructors to learn the techniques needed for threat modeling/ intelligence, incident detection / response, vulnerability management, log analysis, and reporting. In the following spring semester, students apply their knowledge in real-world applications at ODU’s Security Operations Center, actively working on ODU systems.
The IT Help Desk at Old Dominion University provides comprehensive technology support for students, faculty, and staff. Users can get assistance 24/7 via phone, email, or by visiting Monarch Hall on ODU’s main campus or Lewis Hall at the Eastern Virginia Medical School Campus. Students interested in interning at the ITS Help Desk should apply through Handshake, Follow up with Mr. Eddie Figurero efiguero@odu.edu. Learn More ▶
Computer Science Department has offered to provide CYSE 368 internship opportunities for the School of Cybersecurity
- Unpaid
- Spring semester
- Students should either be currently taking technical courses or already have a technical background.
If interested, students should send their resume to Professor Teresa Duvall and Professor Johnathan Takeshita. The Computer Sci Department will conduct an interview with
candidates.
In the ODU Cyber Clinic, students will receive training on different cybersecurity modules which will allow them to interview client organizations during the middle portion of the program. Then, students will work in teams under the supervision of ODU faculty and provide service to the client in one or more areas of cybersecurity network defense, cybersecurity policies and procedures, cybersecurity training for employees, cyber risk assessments, and/or cybersecurity best practices. Learn More ▶
The Innovation Lab at the ODU Center for Educational Innovation and Opportunity is an instructional hub for STEM learning, driven by team building and collaboration. Innovation Lab provides opportunities for students and individuals of all ages, abilities, and disciplines to learn by designing creative solutions to real-world challenges. Students engage in special projects, course content creation, and outreach to students in K-12. Learn More ▶
This year-long internship provides students with experience working in a technical security operations center on campus at Old Dominion University. During the fall semester, students work closely with staff and instructors to learn the techniques needed for threat modeling/ intelligence, incident detection / response, vulnerability management, log analysis, and reporting. In the following spring semester, students apply their knowledge in real-world applications at ODU’s Security Operations Center, actively working on ODU systems.
The IT Help Desk at Old Dominion University provides comprehensive technology support for students, faculty, and staff. Users can get assistance 24/7 via phone, email, or by visiting Monarch Hall on ODU’s main campus or Lewis Hall at the Eastern Virginia Medical School Campus. Students interested in interning at the ITS Help Desk should apply through Handshake, Follow up with Mr. Eddie Figurero efiguero@odu.edu. Learn More ▶
Computer Science Department has offered to provide CYSE 368 internship opportunities for the School of Cybersecurity
- Unpaid
- Spring semester
- Students should either be currently taking technical courses or already have a technical background.
If interested, students should send their resume to Professor Teresa Duvall and Professor Johnathan Takeshita. The Computer Sci Department will conduct an interview with
candidates.