Rizwan’s Story: From Pakistan to a Career in Cybersecurity and AI
My experience as an international student at the University of Sheffield has been incredibly transformative. Coming here on a fully funded scholarship has allowed me to pursue my MSc in Cybersecurity and AI while supporting my wife and our one-year-old child. Balancing family responsibilities with my demanding academic work has been a challenge, but the encouragement from my peers and faculty has given me the confidence to succeed. I'm truly grateful for the chance to grow both personally and professionally in such a supportive environment.
From Pakistan to Sheffield
Before I began my master's course, I completed my Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering at Sarhad University of Science and Information Technology (SUIT), in Peshawar, Pakistan. My final year project was even recognized with a second-place award in a nationwide competition in Pakistan.
After graduating, I went on to work as an Associate Cyber Security Engineer at ATTech, a company based in London. During my time there, I gained hands-on experience in security assessments, vulnerability analysis, and risk mitigation, and I was even honored with a Best Performance Award from my CEO. This industry experience fueled my desire to pursue advanced studies and specialise in the field.
The Best Parts of My Course
What I love most about my course is that it lets you safely step into real-world cybersecurity problems. By exploring, experimenting, and protecting systems, you move from theory to gaining genuine understanding and confidence. As I often say, "Cybersecurity is not just theory; it’s about getting your hands dirty, confronting real challenges, and protecting what truly matters in the digital world."
My individual MSc dissertation, titled "Cybersecurity Awareness Simulator: Hands-On Learning for New Learners,” was the perfect example of this approach. The project addresses the global skills gap in the cybersecurity field by providing early-stage practical exposure for beginners. The platform uses gamified modules to simulate scenarios from phishing detection to advanced attacks, letting learners experience cybersecurity in practice.
All of this practical experience has prepared me to step directly into a professional cybersecurity role. The program strengthened my practical skills, problem-solving, and research abilities, bridging the gap between theory and industry practice, and giving me the confidence to contribute immediately in professional teams.
Life at Sheffield
I chose to study at the University of Sheffield because it is a world top-100 university and a member of the Russell Group, recognised for excellent teaching, research, and a global academic community. The MSc in Cyber Security and AI perfectly combines strong theory with practical, hands-on experience, providing the ideal foundation for a cybersecurity career.
What I value most about Sheffield is its welcoming and supportive environment. It balances a vibrant academic community with a family-friendly atmosphere, allowing me to focus on my studies while spending quality time with my wife and child. The University's teaching, research opportunities, and strong sense of community have helped me grow both professionally and personally.
I've also used some of the university's support services. MASH helped me with statistics and mathematics, Student Wellbeing provided emotional support and motivation, and my Personal Tutor guided me to connect with the right departments. These services have been invaluable at every stage of my studies.
Outside of the classroom, I am a member of SESH, the University of Sheffield’s Ethical Student Hackers Society. We participate in sessions on web application attacks, buffer overflows, live demos, and CTF challenges. These activities let me apply theory to real-world scenarios, confirming my passion for cybersecurity.
For anyone considering studying my master's course at Sheffield, my advice is simple: Embrace every opportunity, both inside and outside the classroom. Cybersecurity is about practice, curiosity, and learning by doing. Engage with hands-on projects, simulations, and societies like SESH. Be proactive, ask questions, and don’t fear mistakes—they build skills and confidence. Sheffield rewards curiosity, passion, and effort, providing a unique environment to grow into a capable cybersecurity professional.
After I graduate, I plan to pursue a career in cybersecurity, applying the practical and theoretical skills I gained during my MSc. I aim to protect critical systems, promote digital security awareness, and contribute to ethical hacking initiatives. Long-term, I hope to continue learning, achieve advanced certifications, and inspire new learners to join this vital field.