2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

According to CompTIA, a leading organization for IT certification and training, and Lightcast, a top authority on global job skills, there are an estimated 4,970,000 job vacancies in the cybersecurity field, as reported through their project, Cyberseek—a cybersecurity jobs heat map web application tool. The 2025 Gartner CIO Talent Planning Survey surveyed IT leaders (n=487), 91% expect the demand for cybersecurity skills to increase in the next three years. Stakeholders express that cybersecurity professionals require a combination of STEM skills – problem-solving, mathematical aptitude, programming, and coding yet there is a shortage of these skills; therefore, a cybersecurity unemployment issue. ISC2, a top non-profit organization for cybersecurity training and certifications, surveyed 7,698 cybersecurity hiring managers and found that strong problem-solving abilities are the most sought-after. The neurodivergent community, including those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), possesses the STEM skillset and can help address the shortage in the cybersecurity field. There is an increasing recognition of neurodiversity within the cybersecurity field; however, the community remains underrepresented. This paper explores why underrepresentation may exist by surveying and interviewing ASD and ADHD college students (n=32). Interviews were conducted with students, and their responses were analyzed using the Atlas.ti software. We applied Braun & Clarke's thematic analysis and we reveal whether cybersecurity is of interest, as well as the key challenges and necessary tools or resources required to learn about cybersecurity or pursue a career in this field. This paper highlights the crucial need for a kinesthetic toolbox and mentorship to support career integration for neurodivergent students interested in cybersecurity.