Investing in the Next Generation of
Cybersecurity and Technology Leaders
Petronella Technology Group is proud to offer a technology and cybersecurity scholarship for students in North Carolina who are pursuing careers in information technology, cybersecurity, computer science, and related fields. With 22+ years of protecting businesses across the Triangle, Craig Petronella and the PTG team believe that developing the next generation of technology professionals is essential to the security and prosperity of our community.
Why the Cybersecurity Talent Shortage Threatens Every Business
The cybersecurity industry faces a critical talent shortage that threatens the security of businesses, government agencies, and critical infrastructure across the United States and around the world. Hundreds of thousands of cybersecurity positions remain unfilled, and the gap between demand and supply continues to widen every year. For businesses in the Raleigh-Durham area and throughout the Research Triangle Park, this shortage means longer hiring timelines, higher salary requirements, and increased competition for qualified professionals. Small and mid-size businesses are hit hardest because they cannot match the compensation packages offered by large enterprises and government agencies, leaving them with fewer options for building internal security teams.
The root of this problem begins long before professionals enter the workforce. Many talented students in North Carolina are interested in technology and cybersecurity careers but face financial barriers that prevent them from pursuing the education and certifications they need. College tuition, certification exam fees, lab equipment costs, and the opportunity cost of focused study create obstacles that disproportionately affect students from underserved communities and families with limited financial resources. Without targeted investment in developing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals, the talent gap will continue to grow, leaving businesses in the Triangle and across the state increasingly vulnerable to the sophisticated cyber threats that evolve faster than the workforce can keep pace. The cost of inaction is measured not just in unfilled positions but in the breaches, downtime, and economic losses that result from inadequate cybersecurity staffing across every industry sector.
The PTG Technology and Cybersecurity Scholarship
The Petronella Technology Group Scholarship was established by Craig Petronella to directly address the cybersecurity workforce shortage by investing in North Carolina students who demonstrate passion, aptitude, and commitment to careers in technology and information security. This is not a token corporate social responsibility initiative; it is a genuine investment in the people who will protect our region's businesses, healthcare systems, government agencies, and critical infrastructure in the years and decades ahead. Craig has seen firsthand over 22-plus years of building PTG how difficult it is to find qualified cybersecurity professionals, and he established this scholarship to create a pipeline of talented, motivated individuals who will strengthen the Triangle's technology workforce.
The PTG scholarship provides financial support to help students cover tuition, certification costs, technology equipment, and other educational expenses associated with pursuing a degree or professional certification in information technology, cybersecurity, computer science, or a related field. Recipients are selected based on a combination of academic achievement, demonstrated interest in technology and cybersecurity, community involvement, financial need, and the strength of their application essay. The scholarship is open to students enrolled in or accepted to accredited colleges, universities, community colleges, and technical training programs in North Carolina.
Beyond the financial award itself, PTG scholarship recipients gain access to mentorship opportunities from experienced cybersecurity professionals on the PTG team. Craig Petronella and his senior engineers are available to provide career guidance, industry insights, and professional development advice that helps recipients navigate their educational journey and transition successfully into the cybersecurity workforce. This mentorship component is what truly sets the PTG scholarship apart from generic academic awards. Recipients do not just receive a check; they gain a connection to one of the most experienced and respected cybersecurity teams in the Research Triangle, creating a foundation for professional success that extends far beyond their time as students. PTG has consistently demonstrated that investing in people is the most effective way to strengthen our community's cybersecurity posture and the broader technology ecosystem across Raleigh, Durham, and the Triangle.
Eligibility Requirements, Award Details, and Program Benefits
The PTG scholarship is designed to be accessible to a wide range of students across North Carolina who are committed to building careers in technology and cybersecurity.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a resident of North Carolina or enrolled in a North Carolina educational institution
- Must be enrolled in or accepted to an accredited college, university, community college, or technical training program
- Must be pursuing a degree or certification in information technology, cybersecurity, computer science, information systems, or a closely related field
- Must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 or equivalent academic standing
- Must demonstrate genuine interest in a career in technology or cybersecurity through coursework, projects, certifications, or extracurricular activities
- Must submit a complete application including all required materials by the posted deadline
Award Information
The PTG scholarship provides a financial award designed to meaningfully offset the cost of technology education in North Carolina. The award amount is announced annually and may be applied toward tuition and fees at the recipient's educational institution, industry certification exam fees such as CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Network+, CEH, or CISSP, technology equipment including laptops, lab hardware, and software licenses required for coursework, textbooks and educational materials related to the recipient's technology or cybersecurity program, and professional development costs including conference attendance and professional organization memberships. The scholarship is awarded annually, and the selection committee reviews all applications holistically to identify recipients who demonstrate the strongest combination of academic achievement, passion for technology, and potential to make a meaningful impact in the cybersecurity workforce.
Mentorship Program
Scholarship recipients receive more than financial support. Each recipient is paired with a mentor from the PTG team who provides career guidance, industry insights, and professional development coaching throughout their educational journey. Mentors share real-world perspectives on cybersecurity career paths, help recipients build professional networks within the Triangle technology community, provide advice on certification strategies and specialization choices, and offer feedback on resumes, interview preparation, and job search strategies. This mentorship component represents PTG's belief that developing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals requires personal investment, not just financial support. Our mentors are working professionals who bring decades of combined experience protecting businesses across the Raleigh-Durham-RTP area to every mentorship conversation.
Community Impact
The PTG scholarship is part of a broader commitment to strengthening the cybersecurity workforce in North Carolina. Every scholarship recipient represents a future professional who will help protect businesses, healthcare organizations, government agencies, and families across the Triangle from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. By investing in education today, PTG is building the talent pipeline that our region will depend on for decades to come. Past scholarship recipients have gone on to pursue careers in cybersecurity operations, network engineering, compliance consulting, cloud architecture, and security research at organizations throughout the Research Triangle Park and beyond. The ripple effect of this investment extends far beyond the individual recipients, strengthening the overall security posture of the entire North Carolina technology community.
Diversity and Inclusion
PTG is committed to increasing diversity in the cybersecurity workforce. The technology industry benefits enormously from diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences, yet many groups remain significantly underrepresented in cybersecurity roles. The PTG scholarship actively encourages applications from students of all backgrounds, including women, people of color, first-generation college students, veterans, and individuals from communities that have historically been underrepresented in technology careers. We believe that building a more diverse cybersecurity workforce is not just a moral imperative but a strategic necessity. Diverse teams bring a wider range of perspectives to threat analysis, security architecture design, and incident response, making them more effective at protecting the businesses and communities they serve across the Triangle and throughout North Carolina.
Internship Opportunities
Outstanding scholarship recipients may be considered for internship opportunities with Petronella Technology Group, providing hands-on experience in a professional managed services and cybersecurity environment. PTG internships offer exposure to real-world IT operations including network monitoring, security operations, help desk management, compliance assessments, and cloud administration. Interns work alongside PTG's certified engineers and consultants on actual client engagements, gaining practical skills that cannot be replicated in a classroom setting. These internship opportunities provide a bridge between academic study and professional practice, giving scholarship recipients a significant advantage as they enter the competitive cybersecurity job market in the Raleigh-Durham-RTP area and beyond.
Application Process and Timeline
Applying for the PTG Technology and Cybersecurity Scholarship is straightforward. Follow these steps to submit your application for consideration.
Review Requirements
Confirm that you meet all eligibility requirements including North Carolina residency or enrollment, academic standing, and pursuit of a qualifying technology or cybersecurity degree or certification program. Review the complete list of required application materials before beginning your application.
Prepare Materials
Gather your academic transcripts, a letter of recommendation from a professor or professional mentor, proof of enrollment or acceptance at your educational institution, and any supporting documentation such as certifications, project portfolios, or evidence of technology-related extracurricular activities and community involvement.
Write Your Essay
Prepare a thoughtful essay that describes your interest in technology and cybersecurity, your career goals, how the scholarship will help you achieve those goals, and what you hope to contribute to the cybersecurity field and the North Carolina technology community. The essay is a critical component of the evaluation process.
Submit Application
Submit your complete application package including all required materials through the PTG scholarship application portal or by contacting our office at 919-348-4912. Applications must be received by the posted deadline. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Early submission is encouraged.
Selection and Notification
The PTG scholarship selection committee reviews all completed applications and selects recipients based on academic achievement, passion for technology, career goals, community involvement, and financial need. Recipients are notified directly and announced through PTG's website and social media channels. All applicants receive notification of their application status.
Scholarship Recipients Making an Impact
Our scholarship recipients are already making meaningful contributions to the cybersecurity and technology fields across North Carolina and beyond. Here are some of their stories.
Explore How PTG Serves the Triangle Community
The scholarship program is one of many ways Petronella Technology Group invests in the Raleigh-Durham community. Explore these related pages to learn more about our history, services, and commitment to the Triangle.
Our History
Learn about PTG's 22-plus year journey from startup to the Triangle's most trusted cybersecurity and IT services provider.
Partners and Certifications
Discover the vendor partnerships and certifications that make PTG a leader in the Raleigh-Durham-RTP technology community.
Resources and Guides
Access free cybersecurity whitepapers, guides, and educational content created by PTG's certified team for Triangle NC businesses and students.
Client Reviews
Read reviews from 2,500-plus businesses across the Research Triangle that trust PTG with their technology and security.
A Company That Invests in People, Not Just Technology
Many technology companies talk about community involvement and workforce development. Petronella Technology Group actually does it. The PTG scholarship program is a direct, tangible investment in the people who will shape the future of cybersecurity in North Carolina. Craig Petronella's decision to establish this program was not driven by marketing considerations or tax benefits; it was driven by a genuine recognition that the cybersecurity talent shortage is one of the most critical challenges facing our industry and our community. By removing financial barriers and providing real mentorship from working professionals, PTG is creating a pipeline of qualified, motivated cybersecurity experts who will protect Triangle businesses for generations to come.
This commitment to people is reflected in everything PTG does, not just the scholarship program. Our managed services clients benefit from a team that is continuously developing its skills through the same culture of learning and growth that we promote through the scholarship. Our community partners benefit from free security awareness training, educational webinars, and resources that raise the cybersecurity awareness of the entire Raleigh-Durham-RTP area. And our scholarship recipients benefit from an organization that genuinely believes in their potential and invests in their success with both financial support and personal mentorship. For businesses looking for a technology partner that embodies values beyond profit margins, PTG's scholarship program is proof of who we are and what we stand for as a company rooted in the Triangle NC community.
Questions About the PTG Scholarship Program
Apply for the PTG Technology and Cybersecurity Scholarship
Whether you are a college freshman exploring cybersecurity for the first time or a working professional pursuing advanced certifications, the PTG scholarship can help you achieve your goals. Contact Petronella Technology Group today at 919-348-4912 to learn about current application deadlines and award details. Your career in cybersecurity starts here, with the support of the Triangle's most experienced and trusted technology team. Serving the North Carolina community for more than 22 years with 2,500-plus companies protected and zero breaches among clients following our security program.
919-348-4912