From MAGE to Cyber Defense: One Student's Cybersecurity Internship Journey

In the fast-moving world of cybersecurity, defending against digital threats requires real-world agility. Varsha Veeraghanta, a Master of Engineering in Cybersecurity student at Maryland Applied Graduate Engineering (MAGE), is putting those exact skills to the test this summer.

As a Threat Intelligence Analyst Intern at Volexity—a premier cybersecurity firm specializing in incident response and threat intelligence—Varsha is actively helping safeguard global organizations. Ahead of National Intern Day on July 30, she shared insights into her daily work, how her MAGE education prepared her, and her advice for fellow Terps.

Investigating in the Cyber Trenches

At Volexity, Varsha's daily routine is far from passive. She hunts down malicious cyber activity using internal threat intelligence tools, researches emerging threats, and writes intelligence reports to protect clients.

Alongside daily threat research, Varsha is leading a high-impact detection engineering project focused on software supply chain attacks which exploit open-source ecosystems like npm and PyPI.

"My project involves building a monitoring and detection system that continuously watches these ecosystems and alerts on suspicious activity," Varsha says. "Knowing that the work I'm doing can continue to benefit the team even after my internship ends is incredibly fulfilling."

Translating Classroom Theory to Industry Impact

While Varsha had prior industry experience, the MAGE curriculum helped her level up her technical depth. She highlights the course, ENPM685: Security Tools for Information Security, as highly influential in her internship preparation.

"It exposed me to many of the tools and concepts that came up during interviews and helped me feel much more confident," Varsha notes. "The hands-on labs and real-world exercises throughout the program gave me valuable experience applying security concepts instead of just learning them in theory."

"Stay consistent, keep learning... you only need one opportunity to get started."

Varsha Veeraghanta

Demystifying the Search & Staying Persistent

Securing a highly competitive cybersecurity internship requires a proactive strategy. Varsha found her role through Handshake at UMD, but credits her success to an early start and relentless preparation.

Her key takeaways for current and prospective MAGE students include:

Start Early: Begin applying in July or August for the following summer. Many top companies recruit a year in advance.
Tailor and Practice: Customize your resume for target roles and practice speaking confidently about your academic and personal projects.
Stay Resilient: "The application process can be competitive, but persistence really does pay off," Varsha says. "Stay consistent, keep learning... you only need one opportunity to get started."

A Launchpad for the Future

This summer has solidified Varsha's goal to build a career in threat intelligence and detection engineering. Working alongside seasoned professionals has given her a clearer picture of her post-graduation trajectory.

"Beyond the technical skills, I've learned how to conduct structured investigations, communicate findings effectively, and think like an analyst," she says. "These are experiences I'll carry with me throughout my career as a cybersecurity professional."

Published July 28, 2026