With many “entry-level” positions in the cybersecurity industry requiring 3-5 years of experience, numerous students and recent graduates find themselves at a loss on how to launch their careers in this field with an ever-growing need for professionals. The question becomes, “How can students take their knowledge from curriculum to career?” The National Cyber League (NCL) does just that in a way that makes learning feel like playing. The NCL vision is to provide an ongoing virtual training ground for students to develop, practice, and validate their cybersecurity knowledge and skills using nextgeneration, high-fidelity simulation environments, based on industry-relevant learning objectives. This offensive and defensive cybersecurity capture-the-flag (CTF) game is based on the CompTIA Security+ and maps to the NIST NICE Framework and NSA CAE Knowledge Units so that the comprehensive, individualized Scouting Reports each player receives provides metrics that matter! Join this panel led by NCL Assistant Chief Player Ambassador, Kaitlyn “CryptoKait” Bestenheider, and supported by NCL Commissioner, Dan Manson, NCL Lead Player Ambassador and professional penetration tester, Meredith Kasper, and the NCL Game Maker from Cyber Skyline, Franz Payer. The panel will discuss the importance of creating on-ramps for students to launch their cybersecurity careers, the NCL integration with CAE Knowledge Units, and how NCL supports schools CAE accreditations