About the Program
The Alabama Cybersecurity Fellowship Program is a cutting-edge, workforce acceleration initiative designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry for aspiring IT and Cybersecurity professionals. This 16-week program prepares students for employment through immersive training and hands-on experience during the final semester of their college journey.
Launched to support Alabama’s growing cybersecurity ecosystem, this fellowship targets upper-level college students ready to pivot from education to employment. The program is delivered in partnership with industry leaders, government agencies, and employers committed to building a pipeline of skilled, job-ready professionals equipped with real-world knowledge and in-demand competencies.
Fellows undergo virtual training delivered by seasoned industry practitioners, leveraging real-world projects, threat scenarios, and enterprise-grade tools. Students gain exposure to industry-relevant tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) in a dynamic learning environment that emphasizes operational readiness and practical execution.
Complementing the technical instruction, each fellow is matched with a vetted employer host—either on-site or remote—for real-world job experience two days a week. These placements are carefully selected to align with each fellow’s strengths and career aspirations, providing both professional mentorship and a launchpad into the cybersecurity workforce.
- Duration: 16-week intensive, hybrid workforce development program
- Eligibility: College seniors in their final semester majoring in IT, Cybersecurity, or a related field
- Training Format:
- Virtual Classroom - Monday through Wednesday (10 hours/week)
- Industry Placement - Thursday and Friday (5 hours/day)
- Curriculum Focus Areas:
- Cybersecurity Operations & SOC Fundamentals
- Threat Intelligence & Incident Response
- Vulnerability Management & Penetration Testing
- Risk Management Framework (RMF) & Compliance (e.g., NIST, CMMC)
- Cloud Security (AWS, Azure)
- Secure Networking & Identity Management
- Instruction Delivered By: Certified professionals with DoD, federal, and commercial experience
- Employer Matching: Fellows are paired with public or private sector host organizations
- Compensation: Students earn a stipend of $18/hour throughout the program
Real-world job experience in the cybersecurity industry
Industry-recognized skills and exposure to enterprise security environments
Professional mentorship and expanded career networks
Competitive advantage in the cybersecurity job market upon graduation
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On-site/Remote Work with Local Employers
As part of the Alabama Cybersecurity Fellowship program. Participants are matched with Industry Employers in an on-site, remote, or hybrid capacity where they will work for 2 days each week to gain crucial on-the-job eperience, all while receiving an hourly stipend.

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Top Instructors

"Participating in this program has been an amazing experience in my cybersecurity journey. It’s been one of the most impactful steps I've taken toward a professional cybersecurity career."
Amari Raye
Student
"I wish this program could be part of every student’s coursework. The hands-on experience gave me real-world skills, and I truly feel more confident and competent because of it. The Alabama Cybersecurity Fellowship has set me up for success."
Stephanie Boartfield
Student
"We are confident that this program will continue to yield positive results and play a vital role in strengthening the
local IS workforce."
Lance Holbrook
Director of Information Systems
Southeast Health
"I began working with Advantage Consulting and Solutions about two years ago in an effort to solve the local workforce shortage in the cyber /IT field. Through the program designed by ACS, students are trained and gain experience in an actual work environment which creates an awesome career opportunity."
Jesse Quillen
Executive Director
Wiregrass Economic Development Center

"At Innovate Alabama, we’re proud to support the Alabama Cybersecurity Fellowship as a meaningful step toward strengthening our state’s talent pipeline. We know this program is only just beginning to show its impact. Programs like this are helping shape the future of Alabama’s workforce by connecting students with hands-on experience and employer partnerships."
Shannon Allen
Program Director of HBCU Engagement
Fellowship program to address cybersecurity talent gap in Alabama
- Alabama Political Reporter






