Academy Students Dive into Cybersecurity with ReliaQuest Internship

This summer, high school students from the Academy of the Holy Names, alongside peers from Jesuit High School, had the unique opportunity to participate in an enriching internship at ReliaQuest, a global leader in cybersecurity. Held at ReliaQuest's Water Street headquarters in downtown Tampa, this two-week program provided students with hands-on experience in cybersecurity, direct mentorship, and an exploration of potential career paths in the industry. Now in its second year, the program saw a significant increase in participation, doubling in size from the previous year.

Students engaged in sessions with key ReliaQuest leaders, including CEO Brian Murphy, who shared insights into the cybersecurity landscape and the company’s mission to "Make Security Possible." The program also featured various workshops that allowed students to develop critical skills, such as spotting phishing attacks and crafting persuasive sales pitches for C-suite executives.

Kenzie Cappy, a senior at the Academy, reflected on the challenge and excitement of applying her newly acquired knowledge during a sales pitch exercise. "The sales pitch was really interesting. It was a challenge of trying to figure out how to take what I had learned and apply it," Kenzie shared.

The ReliaQuest internship aligns with the Academy’s commitment to STEM education, offering students internship experience and the opportunity to earn the prestigious STEM designation on their diplomas. This initiative is part of the Academy’s broader efforts to provide high school students with real-world experiences that prepare them for future careers in fields such as cybersecurity, engineering, and medicine.

As this program continues to grow, the Academy remains dedicated to expanding similar opportunities. For more information on how to become a community partner and host future internships, please contact Mr. Eric Price, the Academy’s engineering teacher and internship coordinator, at eprice@holynamestpa.org.

Through partnerships like the one with ReliaQuest, the Academy is helping to build the next generation of talent, ensuring that students are well-prepared to meet the challenges of tomorrow.