IT/Cybersecurity Intern (Co-op/Unpaid)

Job Description: IT/Cybersecurity Intern (Co-op)

Position Type: Unpaid Internship / Co-op (For Academic Credit)

Time Commitment: Flexible, Part-Time (approx. 10-20 hours/week during the academic semester)

Summary

Abby Kelley Foster Charter School is excited to offer a Cybersecurity Internship opportunity exclusively for students at Quinsigamond Community College (QCC). This is an unpaid co-op position designed to provide a highly flexible, hands-on learning experience that bridges academic theory with real-world practice.

The intern will work directly with our IT Department, receiving 1:1 mentorship while tackling critical cybersecurity projects. This role offers a unique balance: you will lead key security initiatives while also gaining broad exposure to all facets of IT operations in a K-12 environment, from customer support to network troubleshooting.

Key Responsibilities & Learning Objectives

This internship is project-based and mentorship-driven. You will have the opportunity to:

Core Cybersecurity Projects:

• Endpoint Protection Management: Assist in monitoring, managing, and optimizing our district-wide endpoint protection solution (antivirus, anti-malware) to defend against active threats.

• Phishing Campaign Management: Help design, launch, and manage simulated phishing campaigns for district staff. You will analyze the results and help create targeted training materials to improve awareness.

• Security Assessment & Penetration Testing: Put your knowledge into practice by conducting a (guided) self-assessment and penetration test of designated district systems.

• Strategic Reporting: Develop a formal report based on your assessment findings. You will present actionable recommendations to the IT leadership team for implementation and security posture improvement.

IT Operations & Mentorship:

• Technical Support: Develop your customer service skills by assisting with our IT help desk, providing frontline support to teachers, staff, and students.

• Hardware Experience: Gain hands-on experience with device management by assisting with Chromebook repairs, imaging, and deployment.

• Network & Systems Exposure: Shadow and assist the IT team with basic network troubleshooting, user account management and other systems administration tasks.

• 1:1 Skill Development: Participate in regular one-on-one sessions with senior IT staff to explore your career interests and learn advanced skills.

What We Offer

• Direct Mentorship: You will be paired with a mentor in the IT Department who is dedicated to your growth and success.

• Ultimate Flexibility: We will build your work schedule entirely around your QCC class schedule.

• A Portfolio-Building Project: The security assessment and recommendation report will be a significant capstone project you can feature in your professional portfolio and future interviews.

• Broad Experience: You won't just be a "cybersecurity intern." You'll be a member of the IT team, gaining valuable, well-rounded experience in hardware, software, networking, and support.

• Academic Credit: We will work closely with QCC to ensure all requirements for your co-op or internship credit are met.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Must be a current student at Quinsigamond Community College (QCC) and eligible to receive academic credit for the internship/co-op.

• Currently pursuing a degree or certificate in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, IT, or a related field.

• A foundational understanding of cybersecurity principles (e.g., CIA Triad, malware, phishing, network security).

• Strong integrity, a proactive attitude, and a genuine desire to learn.

• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.

• Must be able to pass a standard background check (CORI & Fingerprints)