James Coates

From Cyber Security Simulations to Real-World Skills: My Forage Experience

Virtual work experiences have revolutionized how students can explore careers and develop professional skills. Through Forage's simulation platform, I completed programs with three major companies – JPMorgan Chase, Mastercard, and Citi – each offering unique insights into cybersecurity, software engineering, and financial markets.

These weren't typical online courses. Each program simulated real workplace challenges, complete with actual datasets, industry-standard tools, and the type of problem-solving that defines these organizations. Here's what I learned and how these experiences shaped my career perspective.

JPMorgan Chase: Software Engineering in Financial Technology

Program Overview: The JPMorgan Software Engineering Virtual Experience focused on building tools for financial traders, combining technical development with real-world application.

Key Challenges:

Repository Debugging: The first task involved identifying and fixing broken files in a trading application repository. This wasn't just about syntax errors – it required understanding the application architecture, data flow, and how different components interacted.

Learning outcomes:

• Systematic debugging approaches for complex applications
• Understanding financial technology infrastructure
• Working with existing codebases and legacy systems

Live Data Visualization: Using JPMorgan's open-source Perspective library, I built a real-time graph displaying live financial data feeds. This challenge required understanding both the technical implementation and the trader's perspective on data consumption.

Technical skills developed:

• Real-time data processing and visualization
• JavaScript libraries and framework integration
• User experience design for high-stakes environments
• Performance optimisation for live data streams

Industry Insights: Working on trader tools highlighted how technology directly impacts financial decision-making. Code quality, performance, and reliability aren't just technical concerns – they affect real trading decisions worth millions of dollars.

Mastercard: Cybersecurity Awareness and Threat Analysis

Program Overview: The Mastercard Cybersecurity Virtual Experience positioned participants as analysts on the Security Awareness Team, focusing on identifying threats and implementing security training.

Core Responsibilities:

Threat Identification and Reporting:

• Analyzing suspicious emails and communications for phishing indicators
• Understanding social engineering tactics and psychological manipulation
• Documenting threats for broader organizational awareness
• Developing detection criteria for automated systems

Security Training Implementation:

• Conducting risk assessments across different business units
• Identifying departments with elevated security risks
• Designing targeted training programs for specific vulnerabilities
• Creating procedures and protocols for ongoing security education

Critical Learning Areas:

Human Factor Security: The program emphasized that technology alone doesn't create security – human behavior is often the weakest link. Understanding psychology, communication patterns, and organizational culture became as important as technical knowledge.

Risk Assessment Methodology:

• Evaluating threats based on likelihood and potential impact
• Balancing security measures with operational efficiency
• Communicating risk in business terms that resonate with leadership
• Developing metrics for measuring security training effectiveness

Real-World Application: This experience highlighted cybersecurity as fundamentally interdisciplinary, requiring technical skills, business understanding, and human psychology insights.

Citi: Markets Sales & Trading Simulation

Program Overview: The Citi Markets Sales & Trading simulation provided exposure to financial markets analysis, economic data interpretation, and client advisory services.

Major Components:

Economic Data Analysis:

• Reviewing key economic indicators before FOMC meetings
• Understanding market consensus expectations and positioning
• Analyzing historical trends and their predictive value
• Synthesizing complex economic information into actionable insights

FOMC Meeting Impact Assessment:

• Interpreting Federal Reserve decisions and communications
• Translating policy changes into market implications
• Understanding how monetary policy affects different asset classes
• Communicating policy impacts to various stakeholder groups

Client Advisory and Risk Analysis:

• Developing trade recommendations based on market analysis
• Assessing risk factors and potential downside scenarios
• Tailoring communications for different client types and risk tolerances
• Balancing opportunity identification with prudent risk management

Skills Developed:

Market Analysis:

• Economic indicator interpretation and forecasting
• Understanding central bank policy and market reactions
• Correlating different data points to identify trends
• Quantitative analysis and scenario modeling

Communication and Advisory:

• Translating complex analysis into clear recommendations
• Adapting communication style for different audiences
• Balancing confidence with appropriate uncertainty acknowledgement
• Managing client expectations and risk discussions

Cross-Program Themes: Professional Skills Beyond Technical Knowledge

Problem-Solving Under Pressure: Each simulation included time constraints and incomplete information, mirroring real workplace conditions. Success required making reasoned decisions with available data rather than waiting for perfect information.

Communication and Documentation: All programs emphasized clear communication – whether documenting security procedures, explaining code changes, or presenting market analysis. Technical competence meant nothing without the ability to share insights effectively.

Business Context Awareness: Understanding how technical work fits into broader business objectives became a recurring theme. Whether debugging trading software or assessing security risks, decisions needed business justification beyond technical elegance.

Continuous Learning and Adaptation: Each program required learning new tools, frameworks, and domain knowledge quickly. This reinforced the importance of learning agility over static knowledge.

Career Clarity Through Simulation

These experiences clarified several important aspects of career development:

Cybersecurity Interest Validation: The Mastercard program confirmed my interest in cybersecurity by demonstrating its interdisciplinary nature and real-world impact. Security isn't just about technology – it's about understanding human behavior, business operations, and risk management.

Financial Technology Intersection: Both the JPMorgan and Citi experiences highlighted the growing intersection between technology and finance. This reinforced my decision to minor in Finance alongside my Computer Science major.

Professional Skills Recognition: The programs revealed gaps in my professional skill set – particularly in business communication and market analysis – providing clear direction for future development.

Application to Current Studies

These simulation experiences directly inform my current academic focus:

Technical Courses: Understanding how software engineering applies to financial systems enhances my approach to programming and system design coursework.

Cybersecurity Specialization: The human factors and business context from the Mastercard program add depth to my technical cybersecurity studies at UNSW.

Professional Development: Communication skills and business awareness developed through these programs support my effectiveness in group projects and internship applications.

Future Direction

These virtual experiences helped crystalize my career interests at the intersection of cybersecurity, financial technology, and business strategy. They provided:

• Realistic job previews that informed career decisions
• Professional skill development beyond technical training
• Industry network connections through program alumni groups
• Portfolio additions demonstrating practical experience

Most importantly, they reinforced that successful careers require continuous learning, adaptability, and the ability to apply technical skills within business contexts.

Recommendation for Other Students

Virtual work experiences through platforms like Forage offer unique value:

1. Low-risk career exploration – try different industries and roles
2. Real-world skill development – work with actual tools and datasets
3. Professional credential building – certificates from recognised companies
4. Network access – connection to company recruiters and alumni

These programs bridge the gap between academic learning and professional application, providing clarity and confidence for career development.

Currently applying insights from these experiences while pursuing Computer Science (Cyber Security) at UNSW Sydney, with particular focus on the intersection of technology, security, and financial services.