7th Edition: January – July 2025
Mentorship helps career success. The Women4Cyber Mentorship programmes are designed to help women improve their skills and advance their cybersecurity careers at all levels
Sponsored by:
This mentorship program is part of Gen’s Pledge to the European Commission to close the cybersecurity gender gap by supporting women’s careers.
To learn more about Gen’s commitments, read the full pledge through the following link.
The programme will last 6 months, starting in January 2025. It will be held online through a mentoring platform (PushFar) and in English.
The W4C Team will select mentees after completing an online application process, and each mentee will be assigned to a mentor based on their experience and career goals.
The programme includes access to monthly webinars on career progression
The Programme is free for the participants thanks to kind volunteers and Gen Digital support. Please note that Women4Cyber cannot guarantee a place for all mentees, even if they register within the deadline.
The programmes are carried out in collaboration with industry partners. The partnering entities provide volunteer mentors (women and men of all levels) to the W4C programme. Thanks to these companies and mentors, we were able to offer every participant the guidance they were looking for. To partner with us, or learn more, get in touch at mentorship@women4cyber.eu or through the form below.
Now, thanks to the launch of Road2Cyber, participants will also access:
- Training resources, discounts and scholarships
- Cybersecurity job vacancies
- A talent pool you can register to, to be contacted by employers
CALLING MENTORS:
As you know, navigating a cybersecurity career is not always easy and we face some obstacles, and challenges along the road. We also know that you not only made it through but that you thrived! No matter where you are in your cybersecurity career, your guidance, support, and expertise will make a difference in someone’s life. The commitment is minimal (1-2 hours a month), but the satisfaction of making a difference in people’s lives is invaluable!
What we expect of Mentors:
- Commit to the 6-month programme
- Meet with the assigned mentee in a virtual setting once a month (or more),
- Participate in periodic surveys and programme dissemination efforts (voluntary)
CALLING MENTEES:
Whoever and wherever you are in your cybersecurity career, the Women4Cyber community is here to support you as you move forward. We are all lifelong learners and engaging in a genuine mentoring relationship can only help you hone your professional development skills, stay focused on specific professional goals, and broaden your horizons to new ideas and opportunities. The 6-month mentorship programme aims to improve your skills and level in all areas of cybersecurity to prepare for the next stage of your career.
What we expect of Mentees:
- Commit to the 6-month programme
- Meet with the assigned mentor in a virtual setting once a month (or more)
- Participate in periodic surveys and programme dissemination efforts.
With the goal of mentoring 1.000 women from May 2024 to May 2025, we have a strong need for mentors.
Who can be a mentor:
- Men or women
- Working in cybersecurity
- 3+ years of experience
- Technical and non technical
Since I started the mentorship Programme and with the support of my mentor, I have been promoted to CISO!
Given that I will now have to manage a team, I will work with my mentor to improve my leadership and soft skills.
CALLING INDUSTRY PARTNERS:
In this edition we are collaborating with Tech Accord.
Cybersecurity Tech Accord Signatories actively participate by inviting their employees to join the programme. Learn more about the signatories and their commitment here.
We are looking for companies that want to do their bit to make the field of cybersecurity more diverse. Given the huge demand from mentees to get career guidance, and the incredible benefits demonstrated in previous editions, we partner with companies to ensure that we have a wide and varied pool of mentors and that these mentors have the availability to meet once per month with their mentees.
What we expect from companies: We expect companies to launch an internal call for volunteer mentors, by sharing the resources provided by W4C. Companies should allow their volunteer mentors to dedicate some time to their assigned mentees.
What we offer: The company is featured on our social media channels as a mentorship partner, showcasing the company’s efforts to attract more women to the field. The company logo is displayed on the mentorship page, and othe rpromotion material, and additionally, we can share vacancies, events etc. with the participants of the programme.
To partner with us, or learn more, get in touch at mentorship@women4cyber.eu or through the form below.
Mentorship Partners:
SELECTION CRITERIA
MENTORS
- Women or men working within the cybersecurity industry, with more than 3 years of experience in the field
- High level of competence in one or more of the areas of expertise related to cybersecurity
- Recognised by her/his peers as a leading expert in her/his field
- Based in Geographical Europe, recommended due time zones
- Excellent command of English
- Willing to dedicate their time to helping women advance their cybersecurity career (commitment to meet at least once a month with the assigned mentee)
More information for mentors here!
MENTEES
- Open to everyone regardless of age, looking for help in their career development
- Based in Geographical Europe
- Excellent command of English
- University students/Junior professionals/Senior professionals
and/or - Working in cybersecurity but looking to specialise
and/or - Not working in cybersecurity but looking for a career change
- Single mothers, long-term unemployed, refugees, and minorities are encouraged to join!
APPLICATION PROCESS
Timeline
- December 31st, 2024: Deadline for Mentees applications
- Jan 5th, 2025: Deadline for Mentors applications
- January 2025: Mentor and mentee pairing, selected mentors/mentees informed by email
- January 2025: Kick off and start of the 6-month mentorship.
- July 2025: End of the programme
All participants (mentors and mentees) must apply through the mentoring platform PushFar. Please be detailed about your goals.
If you already have a profile you still need to register for this edition.
The Women4Cyber Team will select participants based on the criteria above and match participants based on goals and areas of expertise.
FAQ
How do we match participants?
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Matches are based on available mentors and mentees, aligned with their career interests. We aim to pair mentees with mentors who hold a position that is a few steps removed from theirs, with 3-5 years more experience. Mentors are usually in roles that reflect a similar career trajectory to the mentee’s intended path.
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To help us find the right mentor, mentees should clearly state their goals and objectives for the next 6-12 months in their profile during the application process.
What does a mentoring relationship look like?
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Meetings are held at least monthly to discuss career goals, significant updates, and opportunities.
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Mentors and mentees are encouraged to share relevant events, resources, and articles, and introduce each other to valuable contacts within their networks.
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Mentees are responsible for reaching out and scheduling meetings with their mentors.
Is support available for mentors?
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Yes, mentors (and mentees) receive detailed guidelines on the mentorship relationship, available through PushFar resources. These guidelines outline the responsibilities of each party, tips on structuring meetings, suggested topics, and more.
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The W4C team is available via email at mentorship@women4cyber.eu to answer any questions. The key points are also covered in the kick-off meeting.
What if I can’t attend the kick-off meeting?
- The kick-off meeting date is announced a week in advance and is recorded for those who cannot join live. However, attendance is encouraged.
When will I be matched?
- Matches are made a few weeks before the programme starts, and participants are notified via email. We do our best to match everyone, but it depends on availability and compatibility.
What happens if I’m not matched?
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Due to the high volume of applications, it’s sometimes not possible to match everyone. We prioritise the quality of the match and the completeness of the applicant’s profile. Unmatched applicants are informed around the start of the programme and are encouraged to reapply for the next edition.
What if I feel my match isn’t a good fit?
- If you feel your match isn’t aligned with your goals, you can reach out to the W4C team at mentorship@women4cyber.eu. We encourage you to communicate openly with your mentor first to address any concerns. If the fit still feels off, we’ll work with you to explore alternative solutions, which may include reassignment based on availability.
Can I have more than one mentor?
- Our programme allows only one mentor per mentee to ensure a focused and meaningful experience. However, we encourage you to participate in any group events or networking opportunities we may offer, where you can connect with other mentors informally and expand your network.
Can I have more than one mentee?
- Yes. Mentors can have more than one mentee in independent relationships. You can choose the number of people you are able to mentor when you fill in your profile on PushFar.
Can I stay in touch with my mentor after the programme?
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Yes, we encourage mentors and mentees to maintain professional connections after the programme. While the structured mentorship ends, many participants find value in staying connected informally.
Is there a time commitment required from mentors and mentees?
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Yes, we ask that both mentors and mentees commit to at least one meeting per month, usually lasting about an hour. Additional communication outside of these meetings is encouraged but should fit around both participants’ schedules.
What if my schedule changes and I can no longer commit to the programme?
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We understand that life changes happen. If your availability changes significantly, please inform your mentor/mentee and contact the W4C team at mentorship@women4cyber.eu so we can support the transition and find solutions if needed.
Any more questions?
Feel free to reach out to us at mentorship@women4cyber.eu.
If you or your company would like to partner with us and join our next programme, get in touch with us at mentorship@women4cyber.eu or fill in the form below.
With support from:
Gen is a global company powering Digital Freedom through its consumer brands, and a Women4Cyber sponsor. Gen assists us in fostering inclusivity and empowering women in cybersecurity, fuelling our activities and initiatives aimed at bridging the gender gap.
Together, the Women4Cyber Foundation and Gen are breaking down barriers and fostering an environment where women’s significant contributions bring change to the cybersecurity field, ultimately shaping a stronger, safer digital world for all.
