PBS Project-Based Learning Program

Dive into real-world cybersecurity issues through mentored work experience while earning $25 an hour in PBS’s Vulnerability & Asset Management Internship Project, part of CCI’s Project-Based Learning Program.

The project is part of CCI’s mission of Workforce Development.

About PBS

“PBS and its member stations are America’s largest classroom, the nation’s largest stage for the arts, and a trusted window to the world. In addition, PBS’s educational media helps prepare children for success in school and opens up the world to them in an age-appropriate way.” 

— Learn more about PBS

About the Project

Experienced mentors will guide five interns to develop key cybersecurity skills and project management competencies in a team-oriented environment. 

Tasks will provide hands-on experience in building and automating vulnerability management and asset-management processes aligned with such industry standards as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) and NIST 800-53. 

Interns will collaboratively design, implement, and automate workflows to track, assess, and remediate security vulnerabilities while ensuring that comprehensive asset inventory and reporting mechanisms are in place.

This project will also:

• Enhance visibility into organizational security posture.
• Streamline risk-mitigation processes.
• Contribute to overall enterprise security readiness. 

What You’ll Do

• Work on real-world cybersecurity scenarios/projects.
• Enhance your soft skills.
• Network with students, faculty, and CCI partners.

What You’ll Get

• A stipend of $25 per hour will be paid through CCI.
• Mentorship by PBS experts.
• Access to approved systems (e.g. VPN).
• Challenge and project outline.
• Materials required to complete the tasks.
• A glimpse into the world of public media.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the program, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen. You must be able to provide documentation verifying your eligibility to work at the start of the program.
• Be enrolled as a student in a Virginia institution of higher education in the spring 2025 semester.
• Have completed one year of schooling.
• Have declared your major in cyber or a cyber-related field.
• Be enrolled in cyber or cyber-adjacent courses and demonstrate an interest in cybersecurity (e.g., Hack the Box or other online CTF-style activities, has a home lab, cyber club, etc.).
• Commit to staying in the program through Aug. 15, 2025.

Having experience in Vulnerability Management, Asset Management Integration and Reporting, and Risk-Based Reporting could be an asset, but lack of experience will not disqualify you as a candidate.  

Program Requirements

If selected for the program, you must:

• Attend the project kick-off meeting on May 27, 2025. 
• Work on the program for a maximum of 8 hours per week from May 27 to Aug. 15, 2025.
• Meet 30 minutes twice a week with PBS, either virtually or meetings in person at the PBS headquarters in Arlington, Va. Meetings will be scheduled in advance.
• Participate in project-related tasks.
• Be a U.S. citizen. You must be able to provide documentation verifying your eligibility to work at the start of the program.
• Provide your own computer or laptops. 
• Inform your university/college advisor of project participation.
• Provide CCI with your advisor’s name, title, and email.

Expectations

This is a professional opportunity, and you’re expected to conduct yourself in a manner befitting a professional environment.

You will be held accountable for attending meetings and actively participating in project-related tasks. Failure to meet these expectations could result in your dismissal and forfeiture of your stipend. You must:

• Attend 90 percent of mandatory meetings.
• Participate in project-related tasks.
• Resolve any attendance and participation issues. 

If you’re interested in seeing this program at your school or sponsoring such a program at your company, please contact Sarah Hayes at sshayes@vt.edu.