Mahdi goes from Cyber Security Curiosity to Capability

In fact, after high school, he found himself at a crossroads. With strong marks in both maths and biology, he considered everything from accounting to dentistry.

He even started the Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping (FNS40222) course at TAFE Queensland, but realised the only part he truly enjoyed was experimenting with Excel macros and playing with programming functions.

That curiosity and a timely conversation with a student advisor through TAFE Queensland’s Student Support Services changed everything.

“My advisor reassured me that struggling in one course didn’t mean I lacked capability. Instead, it might just mean he was in the wrong field,” he explained.

After learning about Mahdi’s interests and recent tech tinkering, the student advisor suggested studying cyber security as a better fit.

Encouraged by that advice, Mahdi switched courses and enrolled in the Certificate IV in Cyber Security (22603VIC) at TAFE Queensland’s South Bank campus - a decision that has completely reshaped his future.

“At first, the course felt daunting, and I wasn’t sure I could manage it. But the moment I got into the practical labs, it all clicked for me,” he explained.

He was immersed in the work - testing, simulating, building, ethically breaking, monitoring, and defending systems – each day starting early and finishing late.

What surprised him most was how the course took over his focus in the best possible way.

He began constantly thinking about cyber security - spending hours beyond the classroom poring over concepts and honing his skills.

“Each lab felt like a win. Whether attacking or defending the LEGO City inside the South Bank campus’ simulated Security Operations Centre (SOC), networking, data analysis or penetration testing, I was gaining confidence from achieving short-term outcomes that translated directly to real-world environments,” he continued.

“The program wasn’t just about learning tools like Wireshark, Splunk, or Kali Linux - it was about applying them in simulated environments, running vulnerability scans, scripting in Python and Bash, and executing incident response plans that aligned with the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s Essential Eight.”

Mahdi tackled risk management using frameworks like NIST, explored legal structures such as the Cybercrime Act 2001, and studied the Australian Privacy Principles.

The course also pushed him to think like a cyber professional from every angle - technical, ethical, legal, and human.

Collaboration was key to the experience, with students working in the SOC, writing detailed reports, and participating in workplace health and safety consultations.

“Cyber isn’t just about tech - it’s about people and processes too. Communication, collaboration, and ethical awareness are just as important as technical skills,” said Mahdi.

The support from teachers played a huge role in his journey. They consistently showed kindness, flexibility, and deep industry knowledge, whether staying back after class to troubleshoot tutorials, answering long questions patiently, or simply checking in when things got overwhelming.

“I appreciated how they encouraged students to experiment with different solutions and think creatively.”

“My classmates also added to my study experience; they were always ready to collaborate, explain concepts, and help each other push through complex labs and scenarios.”

TAFE Queensland’s facilities made the experience even smoother with well-equipped labs featuring dual monitors, LAN setups, and a range of networking hardware.

On-campus tech support - even as simple as access to charger loans - meant that nothing got in the way of learning.

The training materials were up-to-date, industry-relevant, and structured in a way that built Mahdi’s confidence with every module – essential for the ever-changing cybersecurity landscape.

By the end of the course, Mahdi knew how to identify and respond to cyber threats- he’d developed a security-first mindset, the resilience to face unfamiliar challenges, and a hunger to keep learning.

Now, Mahdi’s setting his sights even higher as he dreams of working in the aviation industry as an Information Security Officer, using his skills to protect critical infrastructure like airports.

In the near future, Mahdi sees himself deepening his knowledge through a bachelor’s degree and industry certifications, with his ultimate career goal of being in a cyber security role at a major international airport in Australia.

He’s quick to recommend TAFE Queensland to others who might be exploring their path.

“TAFE Queensland is the perfect place for anyone looking for growth - a place where you’re supported, challenged, and prepared for the real world,” he says.

“This course didn’t just teach me how to work in cyber security - it helped me believe that I belong here,” concluded Mahdi.