This lack of support and structure ultimately resulted in six months of unemployment, impacting both his mental and financial health. But all that changed when he discovered the Immersive Labs Digital Cyber Academies (DCAs), setting him on a course to a more fulfilling career.

Pursuing a persistent passion

Despite his negative experience with IT, Patryk still possessed an interest in the cybersecurity field, so when a friend suggested he join an Immersive Labs-supported cyber academy, he jumped at the opportunity.

Free-to-use and easy-to-navigate, the Immersive Labs Digital Cyber Academies provide users with access to a global online cyber skills platform equipped with ondemand, real-world exercises. Users are immersed in hands-on challenges that align to the skill sets necessary for entry-level cybersecurity roles.

For Patryk, the hands-on career path exercises were both exciting and challenging. “I loved the structure of the online exercises; everything was well thought out and categorized to give students a better sense of progression and immersion into the subject matter,” notes Patryk.

After completing the required exercise series, Patryk gained access to job postings shared by Immersive Labs customers and sponsors. From the expertise gained through the Immersive Labs exercises, Patryk proved his potential and restarted his journey with cybersecurity, reconnecting with that original driving passion.

Knowledge sharing is caring

In addition to the engaging content, Patryk loved the collaborative elements of the exercises. Working with teammates not only made the career pathway completion more interactive, but it also enabled Patryk to build meaningful connections with lasting implications in the cybersecurity field.
Today, Patryk holds a cybersecurity role and credits the Immersive Labs Digital Cyber Academy with his resparked passion for the cybersecurity field. When asked what advice he would give to prospective users, he is vocal in his enthusiasm: “It’s really, really worth it!”