INTERVIEW WITH OUR PARTNERSHIP MANAGER, MELISSA LARKINS

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POSTED ON 08-November-24

We had the opportunity to sit down with our Cyber Partnership Manager, Melissa Larkins, to discuss her unconventional path into the cyber security sector. With a background in microbiology and STEM education, Melissa brings a wealth of experience to her role, helping to make cyber security more accessible to a broad audience. She shares insights into her creative problem-solving approach, her passion for bridging the knowledge gap in cyber, and the exciting initiatives she is leading at the Canberra Cyber Hub.

 

Read on to learn more about Melissa’s contributions and her vision for the future of cyber security.

 

Can you introduce yourself and share a bit about your passions and what drives you?

I’m Melissa the Partnership Manager at the Canberra Cyber Hub. You could say I’m a fungi, as I have a background in microbiology and mushrooms! I’m passionate about making STEM accessible for everyone, no matter what your background is or where you’re from. I also love a challenge, and I see cyber impacting everyone - despite it being often misunderstood and undefined. With the Canberra Cyber Hub, I get to be at the heart of making cyber understandable to a broad audience. 

Can you share a bit about your career background and what led you to the role you now have with the Canberra Cyber Hub?  

My path into cyber has had many twists and turns. Growing up in a regional area with limited opportunities, I was inspired to pursue a career in STEM by strong female role models, like my mum, a statistics lecturer, and my aunt, an environmental chemist. After earning a Bachelor of Science (Honours), I knew that I didn’t want to work in a lab, so I took a leap and moved to Japan to teach English. While I enjoyed the experience, teaching wasn’t my passion. When I returned to Australia, I pursued a Master of Science Communication Outreach at ANU, which led me to a role at Questacon, where I developed cyber education programs for kids. This experience highlighted the huge knowledge gap in cyber security, and it sparked my desire to work with industry, ultimately leading me to the Canberra Cyber Hub.

What’re some of your proudest achievements in the cyber field so far?

I love coming up with creative solutions to cyber communication, and I’m proud to share that in my previous role at Questacon I was nominated for the most Innovative Educator in Cyber Security for the Australian Women in Security Awards, 2023 and my program won AISA Best Cyber Security STEM Promoter of the Year, 2023. 

How have your previous positions and acquired skills assisted in this new role? 

At the Canberra Cyber Hub, I’m consistently drawing on the diverse skills I’ve gained from past roles. My experience in Japan taught me how to communicate with a wide range of people, a skill I now use at the Cyber Hub to share and exchange ideas. At Questacon, I honed my program management skills, which I now apply when strategising and coordinating events. My creativity and problem-solving abilities help me tackle challenges in the cyber ecosystem, and the Canberra Cyber Hub continues to support my growth, particularly in governance and management.

What excites you most about working with the Canberra Cyber Hub and the cyber security industry? 

I love having the opportunity to connect with such a diverse range of people — from industry leaders, to educators, government, and students. I love listening and learning from each of them and finding ways to bring everyone together to solve challenges and push cyber security to the forefront. It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of these meaningful conversations and collaborations.

What is one thing you are looking forward to achieving with Canberra Cyber Hub? 

Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue expanding the initiatives I’ve developed at Canberra Cyber Hub and explore new ways to drive impact. Over the past year, I’ve coordinated meetings with international delegations that created opportunities for cyber businesses, led skills events resulting in employment outcomes for participants, and developed awards recognising talented women in Canberra’s cyber ecosystem. I’ve also reported on program outcomes that may influence the future of cyber training. I’m eager to build on these successes and take our efforts even further.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career in cyber security, especially if they come from a different industry? 

Understand your skillset and what you bring to the table. The cyber field is broad, with opportunities from marketing and sales to coding and encryption. Your soft skills and your passion are things that can’t be taught! You can always learn to code. You can start your career in cyber in a non-technical role and transition from there. There is also no time like the present to begin networking and to begin researching to understanding what opportunities there are in cyber. I’m always happy to have a chat and help people understand their skills and where they could fit in cyber.  

What’s something about Canberra Cyber Hub or the cyber industry that surprised you since joining? 

I have learned so much about the cyber field and the range of opportunities and possibilities. It seems every day I am meeting someone new with a unique background and interest area, and I’ve been surprised by the diversity of the field.