School of Computing Science
MPCS Cybersecurity alumni lands job with Apple as a Security Engineer
Masters in Professional Computing Science (MPCS) alumni Anupama Ravichandran recently got hired by Apple as a security engineer. While the MPCS program has produced no shortage of stellar developers and machine learning engineers, it is a noteworthy feat to have earned a security-related role as a recent graduate, considering the sensitive nature of the work.
We connected with Anupama to talk about her time in the MPCS program, the interview process for her current role, and more.
Why did you decide to pursue the MPCS program?
In my previous role, I came across a security incident and that made me interested in cybersecurity. I wanted to pursue a career in this field. When I looked into the MPCS program, I saw that the Cybersecurity program was structured in a way that supported my career development—from the co-op term experience to the relevant courses.
What were some of your favorite classes from the time you spent in the program, and why?
One of my favorite classes was the Digital Forensics course. It provided a fascinating perspective on how data is stored and retrieved. What I liked about it was how it dove into a less-explored aspect of the technical industry. I also enjoyed the practical approach to security in the lab courses and the assignments.
How did you get into your current role at Apple? Could you walk us through what the process was like?
I came across the job opening on LinkedIn. I applied through the Apple career portal and one of their recruiters reached out to me to schedule an interview with the hiring manager after checking my eligibility. The interview with the hiring manager was a background check to see if I was technically aligned with the role. After that, I had a security filter round, and after I cleared that I moved on to the virtual onsite rounds—those consisted of four different one-on-one technical interviews followed by one soft skills round. After clearing those rounds, I had a final interview with the Director and got a call and a formal offer in two weeks. All in all, the process took about three months.
Do you see yourself applying what you learned from your program in your current role, and do you see your time at SFU having been influential in helping you so far?
Certainly. The courses I took during my time at the MPCS program definitely helped me learn and have different perspectives on development and data. That is one of the main aspects of my current job.
Thanks so much for your time, Anupama. Lastly, what advice would you give to current MPCS students or someone just beginning the program?
Build connections. Be active in job and co-op applications. The sooner, the better with opportunities and options. Just trust the process and know that everything will fall into place in the end. Remember to take it easy, stay adaptable, and enjoy the journey.
Interested in our Master of Cybersecurity Program? Learn more about it here.