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The working world is often changing at a rapid pace, especially with the rise of AI tools, but there will always need to be talented humans behind the controls. That said, it can be hard to know where to start when it comes to an industry like cybersecurity, where the barrier to entry can sometimes be high. At Netskope, the security team has created the “New in Career” program to fill this void, allowing students to get hands-on, real life experience with the roles a security team plays.
With all of this in mind, I sat down for a chat with Rob Butler, a senior security engineering manager at Netskope and adjunct professor at Maryville University, to talk about the New in Career program, the power of hands-on learning in cybersecurity, and Netskope’s ongoing partnership with Maryville.
Can you tell us a bit about the “New in Career” program and how it works?
Sure. In the past, the security team had more of a traditional internship program, but in recent years, we’ve developed it in a way that is more hands-on, offers a more holistic view of the many roles that make up a security team, and provides a jumpstart into the world of cybersecurity. New in Career is a three-month program based out of our St. Louis office that is made up of rotations GRC, SOC, and red-teaming. Your average student likely doesn’t know about the specifics of each role, and this way they get to sample what each entails and find what interests them most.
Knowing you’re also an adjunct professor at Maryville University, how does this program overlap with what you teach there?
So, I’ve taught the 16-week on-campus cloud security course at Maryville University, which I helped build with Netskope BISO Damian Chung, using an existing customer training program as our basis. Much like with the New in Career program, we wanted to be able to simulate the real world scenarios that security professionals face, and we were able to do this by setting up an education “tenant” in which they can play. This way students can take the theoretical off the page and get practical hands-on training around cloud security—from someone with industry experience to back it up. I also bring in past New in Career participants to share their experience in the program and answer any questions prospective applicants might have. And of course it’s a great recruitment vehicle for us too! I currently work with a handful of people in our St. Louis office who are former students of mine.
Why do you think this relationship has been beneficial to both Netskope and Maryville University?
We’ve long had a good relationship with Dr. Brian Gant, who leads the undergraduate cybersecurity program at Maryville, even before we took over their cloud security course. He actually presented Netskope with the inaugural Clifford Wilke Award in 2025 to recognize our partnership. In addition to the cloud security course, and the opportunities we offer graduates through the New in Career program, we were also able to connect Maryville’s on-campus Women in Cybersecurity chapter with the local St. Louis chapter. Ally Troha, a senior security manager here at Netskope, (until recently based out of the St. Louis office) was instrumental in making that connection. On the whole, I think this partnership has been good for both Netskope and Maryville, and I hope it continues to grow and support the next generations of cybersecurity talent.
Where can interested folks go to learn more about this program?
If you’re interested in applying, or want to learn more about the Netskope New in Career program, please reach out to Sean Salomon ([email protected]) and Jared Hawkins ([email protected]). They are not only the best folks to ask, but they are also both former interns who found a place in the security team here.
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