The Workforce Challenge We Address

Critical infrastructure sectors face an acute workforce challenge: identifying professionals who understand both cybersecurity and operational technology systems. Traditional IT security professionals may lack insight into physical processes and operational constraints, while engineers may not have deep expertise in cyber threats and network security.

CEC students are intentionally educated to bridge this divide—working across IT and OT, cybersecurity and engineering, technology and policy—so they are prepared to address complex, real‑world operational risks from day one.

How CEC Prepares OT‑Ready Talent

CEC’s workforce development approach emphasizes learning by solving real problems and gaining immersive, hands‑on experience:

• Multidisciplinary Training spanning engineering, computer science, data analytics, and policy
  
• Experiential Learning through industry‑engaged projects using Lean Innovation methods
  
• Real‑World Exposure through hands‑on experience with utility‑scale Energy GRID Institute facilities, realistic cyber attack simulations in the Pitt Cyber Range, and internships and co‑op placements with industry partners.
  
• Strong IT/OT Integration, enabling students to understand how cyber systems interact with physical infrastructure and operational constraints
  

By the time students apply for internships or co‑ops, they have already worked with the systems, tools, and environments used in industry.

Co‑op, Internship, and Full Time Employment Support Plan for our CEC Consulting Members

Different University of Pittsburgh schools use different co‑op structures and employment platforms. Because the Cyber Energy Center (CEC) prepares OT students to work at the intersections of engineering, computer science, data analytics, and policy, identifying these multidisciplinary candidates through traditional hiring channels can be challenging. To address this, we propose the following approach for our CEC Consulting Members.

To ensure maximum visibility and efficient recruitment,

• Employers should complete one of the following options:
  • Option A
    • Post the opportunity on your company careers site
      
    • Post the same opportunity in your organization’s Handshake account, including a link to the company posting
      
  • Option B
    • Post the opportunity directly to your company’s Handshake account
      
• Once posted, employers should notify the Cyber Energy Center by emailing
  cyberenergy@pitt.edu and include either:
  • A link to the company job posting, or
    
  • The Handshake posting link
    
• After notification, the Cyber Energy Center will:
  • Coordinate with all relevant University employment centers to advertise the opportunity
    
  • Promote the position internally across CEC academic programs, research groups, and student networks
    
  • Continue promotion and outreach until the position is filled
    

Our coordinated approach ensures your opportunity reaches top‑tier, multidisciplinary OT candidates across University of Pittsburgh school—regardless of differences in co‑op or employment systems. As a CEC Consulting Member company, your posting is delivered directly to our highest‑performing students, giving it prominent visibility among—and above—thousands of listings on Handshake each week.

Value to Industry Partners

By partnering with CEC, employers gain access to students who:

• Understand cybersecurity and physical operational systems
  
• Can collaborate across disciplines and technical domains
  
• Are experienced in stakeholder engagement and rapid problem‑solving
  
• Are prepared to operate effectively in real operational environments
  

CEC students are not only job‑ready—they are OT‑ready.