Shreyas is a class of 2024 MSc Cyber Security graduate. Shreyas completed a Bachelor of Engineering in India in 2022 and had experience as a Data Science Intern before relocating to Ireland in 2023. After graduating Shreyas secured work with AWS and is now a Cloud Support Engineer.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background:
I am from India and have a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering. I came to Ireland to pursue a Master’s in Cybersecurity at NCI. I am currently working at AWS as a Cloud Support Engineer (Security), where I support enterprise customers with security-related cloud issues.
What made you choose Ireland as a place you wanted to work?
I chose Ireland because it offers one-year master’s programmes, which were ideal for my timeline, and NCI’s fees and scholarship made it affordable for me. The course structure in Cybersecurity also matched my interests and career goals compared to other countries.
What was your most memorable experience from your time at NCI ?
One of my most memorable experiences was celebrating Diwali at NCI. The college organised cultural celebrations where we dressed traditionally and celebrated with friends from different backgrounds, which made it very special.
How did you hear about your role?
I found the role on LinkedIn. To stand out, I created a small website called “Why Amazon Should Hire Me” and shared it directly with the hiring manager. The next day, I was invited to the interview process.
What did the recruitment process involve and how did you prepare for it ?
The process included a screening interview, followed by a “loop” interview consisting of two technical rounds and one behavioural round. I prepared using the STAR method, which I learned through NCI Career Development sessions, and it helped me structure my answers effectively.
Can you describe the visa process you underwent ?
After completing my studies, I moved to Stamp 1G. Once I joined AWS, I received visa sponsorship under the Critical Skills route, which transitioned me to Stamp 1.
What is a typical day like in your current role?
My day involves working with enterprise customers and supporting them on security-related cloud issues. I join live troubleshooting calls, investigate problems in real time, and help resolve them.
What do you enjoy most about your current role?
I enjoy interacting with customers and solving real problems. It is satisfying to investigate issues and help customers move from facing a problem to having a working solution.
What has been the most challenging part of your graduate journey ?
The most challenging part was the job search. I previously didn’t succeed in an interview with AIB, but I took feedback from NCI Career Development, improved my approach, and later applied those learnings to successfully secure my role at AWS.
Top 3 tips for students and graduates entering the Irish job market ?
First, focus on building skills aligned with where the industry is heading, not just current trends.
Second, optimise your LinkedIn and CV, and make full use of NCI Career Development support, including mock interviews.
Third, prepare for interviews using the STAR method, as it helps structure answers clearly and effectively.