Building the next generation: CAFCYBERCOM’s summer internship success

September 9, 2025 – Defence Stories

Estimated read time – 2:00

By Major Christopher Daniel, Senior Public Affairs Officer, CAFCYBERCOM

This summer, the Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Command (CAFCYBERCOM) welcomed five students for a paid internship program, including placements through the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) and Royal Military College (RMC) work terms. The program gave students hands-on experience while allowing CAFCYBERCOM to benefit from fresh ideas and innovative approaches to key projects.

“The intent was to see how we could make the most of student employment programs,” explained Mr. Geoff Priems, a Command Evolution Team member and the Command Information Management Officer at CAFCYBERCOM Headquarters. “I quickly realized that students could take ownership of meaningful tasks and tackle bigger challenges than I initially imagined.”

Over the summer, students worked on projects ranging from in/out clearances to human resources to developing critical initiatives. “Without prompting, they supported each other, offered creative solutions, and weren’t afraid to make mistakes and learn from them,” said Mr. Priems, noting their teamwork, adaptability, and enthusiasm.

Harjot Singh Sandhu, a fourth-year Bachelor of Science in Computer Science student at the University of Ottawa, developed a PowerApps solution to streamline arrival and departure clearances. “The opportunity to work in a newly established unit in the Canadian Armed Forces with the growing importance of cyber security seemed like an exciting chance,” he said. Harjot also appreciated the diversity of backgrounds in the unit and the strict security measures. “My biggest takeaway is I learned the importance of teamwork and seeking help from those with more experience,” he added.

Tony Zheng, a second-year Bachelor of Computer Science Honours student in the Cybersecurity stream at Carleton University, created a Battle Rhythm app, designing its layout and core features under tight deadlines. Tony valued the team’s diversity and supportive environment, noting, “The biggest takeaway is the connections I made, which clarified my career direction and made me feel truly welcome.”

Programs like FSWEP and RMC give CAFCYBERCOM access to talented students on short timelines. “Internships allow us to engage with the next generation, identify promising prospects, and build pathways to careers in the Public Service or uniformed service,” Mr. Priems added.
Students interested in gaining hands-on experience through FSWEP or other internships during the school year can explore placements across the federal government, including at CAFCYBERCOM.

FSWEP provides paid work terms for college and university students, helping them develop professional skills, gain exposure to federal operations, and build pathways to future careers. For more information and application details, visit Federal Student Work Experience Program - Canada.ca.