We’d Love Your Feedback! 💬

[mild sandal]

Hello everyone!
We’re exploring ways to make learning progress and feedback more meaningful, and we’d love to hear your thoughts!

To make it more exciting, 3 participants with the most detailed and thoughtful responses (as selected by our internal team) will each receive 2-month PG Practice access!

Please reply in this thread and share your thoughts on the questions below 👇

1️⃣ When you're learning or upskilling, what kind of feedback or progress tracking do you find most motivating or useful?
2️⃣ If you were to share your learning progress with a potential employer or peer, what would you want them to notice first?
3️⃣ How valuable would it be for you to see your learning progress broken down by job roles (e.g., “80% match for SOC Analyst”) or MITRE techniques? Why?
4️⃣ Would a timeline of your learning activity (e.g., “7 modules completed in the past 3 weeks”) help you stay on track or reflect on your progress?
5️⃣ Are there any other metrics meaningful to you or your professional goals that you’d like shown on your profile?

🕒 Deadline: November 2, 2025

Your input will help shape how we visualize and communicate learning progress for the community, thank you for helping us improve! 🙌

[twilit furnace]

1️⃣ When you're learning or upskilling, what kind of feedback or progress tracking do you find most motivating or useful?

Honestly, I'm motivated by seeing concrete skill improvements rather than just "completed 6 modules." What really helps is when I can look back and think "okay, I couldn't do this three weeks ago, and now I can

2️⃣ If you were to share your learning progress with a potential employer or peer, what would you want them to notice first?

If I'm showing my profile to a potential employer, I want them to see depth over breadth. Anyone can complete modules. I'd want them to notice patterns - like if I've consistently worked on detection engineering or kept coming back to certain MITRE techniques. That shows genuine interest, not just box-checking.

3️⃣ How valuable would it be for you to see your learning progress broken down by job roles (e.g., “80% match for SOC Analyst”) or MITRE techniques? Why?

The MITRE breakdown? Super valuable. The job role percentage thing? I'm a bit torn. It could be motivating to see "you're 80% ready for SOC Analyst," but only if the criteria are transparent and realistic. I don't want false confidence. MITRE technique coverage makes more sense to me because it's tangible - I either understand T1059 or I don't.

4️⃣ Would a timeline of your learning activity (e.g., “7 modules completed in the past 3 weeks”) help you stay on track or reflect on your progress?

Yeah, the activity timeline would definitely help. Sometimes I feel like I'm spinning my wheels, and seeing "actually, you've finished 7 modules in 3 weeks" is a reality check in a good way. It'd also help me spot when I'm burning out or slacking off.

5️⃣Are there any other metrics meaningful to you or your professional goals that you’d like shown on your profile?

Time spent on hands-on vs theory (I want to maximize practical work), Comeback rate - topics I've revisited to reinforce learning

[worldly hawk]

1️⃣ What kind of feedback or progress tracking is most motivating?
I prefer detailed feedback that identifies my strengths and areas for improvement. I stay motivated by progress tracking that displays my finished skills, practical accomplishments (such as labs or CTF flags), and my proximity to the next milestone.

2️⃣ What would I want employers or peers to notice first?
My ability to be useful. For instance, the cybersecurity methods I've used, the tools I've mastered, and actual results—such as issues resolved, reports produced, or incidents managed. Certifications are good, but practical evidence is more important.

3️⃣ Value of breaking progress down by job roles or MITRE techniques?
Incredibly valuable. I can better grasp how my learning relates to the demands of the real world of work when I see a role fit percentage (such as 80% for SOC Analysts) or when I map my skills to MITRE. It also highlights my offensive and defensive strengths and weaknesses.

4️⃣ Would a timeline of learning activity help?
Indeed. A timeline that reads, "finished 7 labs in 3 weeks," would help me stay consistent and serve as a reminder that I'm making progress. It helps track productivity streaks and gives a good boost to confidence.

5️⃣ Other meaningful metrics for my goals?
Levels of tool expertise (Wireshark, Burp Suite, Nmap, etc.)
percentage of domain-specific skills mastery (networking, DFIR, pentesting, cloud, etc.)
CTF performance indicators (categories resolved, flags captured, ranking)
Task readiness for the real world (e.g., "able to perform OSINT investigation independently")

[wraith thunder]

• I think that when upskilling, practical feedback such as time taken to pwn, or a comparison to where an average learner is kinda helps me get a gauge for where I am at.
• I would probably want them to notice a practical aspect (such as practical certifications), and alternatively still leaning into that practical side stuff like projects that I have done
• It would be nice, and would give me an indicator of where I am heading for though it doesn't seem as necessary :)
• Yes, a quantitative indicator would speak directly to me. I feel that this is not implemented much where it could be.
• Probably certs and practical applications (eg. time in industry), in addition to factors such as when i began this :)
  thanks for the opportunity

[plush aspen]

1️⃣ >
After explaining some cybersecurity concepts to people that are not really interested in this field, I realized I take most of my motivation when I really learn/practice something that at the beginning seemed really hard, but after everything is finished I can explain everything back to me in simple terms(in a not so technical way, which tells me I really understood everything I have learned, studied or practiced.)

2️⃣ >
At the level I am right now, I would really appreciate them noticing all the work I have done in my past(related to my learning progress / projects / or incidents I have been involved in a former Job Position) and not just ask really "blank" questions all related to certifications.

3️⃣ >
To me this would be really valuable, both of them. As I am now looking to pivot from a blue team role to a red team one, to see during, during the learning progress, how I slowly shift from matching a SOC Analyst role to a Junior Pentester(for example) would really tell me I am on the right track.
From the MITRE techniques perspective that would help me from the standpoint of confirming to myself that I really understand what I am doing.

4️⃣ >
I think it would really help me, especially in moments when maybe I get stuck on something that seems really difficult to me, to the point of maybe giving up/ getting lazy. I would look back seeing all the modules I've completed, all the work I've already done and it would be just enough to keep me going.

5️⃣ >
I am a practical learner, so to have a metric, that somehow would quantify my experience of different tools(that I have already used / I am still learning), would really help me.

[flint tusk]

1️⃣
When learning or upskilling, I find clear, skill-based progress tracking most motivating , for example, seeing how specific tasks or modules connect to real-world security roles (like SOC analysis or incident response). Feedback that highlights both technical strengths and areas for improvement keeps me focused and engaged.

2️⃣
If I were sharing progress with a potential employer or peer, I’d want them to notice my commitment to continuous learning, hands-on lab practice, and the growth curve of my skills over time , not just completion badges. And also take note of my interpersonal skills. Also, showing real-world competencies, such as successfully simulating an attack path using MITRE techniques or solving a red-team challenge, would reflect applied knowledge, not just course completion.

3️⃣
Seeing my progress broken down by job roles or MITRE ATT&CK techniques would be extremely valuable. It helps me understand where I stand against real-world frameworks and aligns my learning directly with operational defense or offensive security needs. It can create a nice parallel.

4️⃣
A timeline of learning activity would definitely help me stay on track. Visualizing my consistency (e.g., modules completed weekly, notifications over email or sms) adds accountability(“Have I kept up this week?”) and motivation, similar to tracking workouts or study streaks.

5️⃣
I’d love to see metrics like time spent in labs, number of challenges solved, skill growth by domain (e.g., network, appsec, cloud), and even peer comparison within similar goals. It helps define realistic benchmarks and measurable progress toward mastery. And based on what I like to complete it offers an indicator in what directions to look for a job.

Overall, I believe progress tracking should make learning transparent, personal, and goal-driven, while celebrating consistency as much if not more than achievement. 🫶🏻

[vital violet]

1️⃣ The most motivating feedback is progress tied to real exploitation results, not generic completion bars. I want to see metrics like machines rooted, time to root,and total lab hours.

2️⃣ I usually pass HR interviews easily, but technical rounds are tougher since I specialize in network and web app testing. Many teams expect IoT or mobile experience even when it’s not in the job description. Showing domain-specific progress would help, for example, my depth in network, web, and AD exploitation, while still building mobile or IoT coverage. I’d also want to display types of CVEs and exploit categories I’ve worked on, e.g., 3 post-exploitation, 3 kernel, 2 privilege escalation... since I spend my time on offsec platform and PG Practice.

3️⃣ Mapping progress to job roles or MITRE ATT&CK is partially valuable. Early on, employers don’t rely on it yet, but once standardized in the industry (like the OSCP) it could bridge the gap between learning platforms and hiring expectations. Especially if this system was connected with PG platform. Over time, seeing “80% match to Penetration Tester” backed by certs would beneift both learners and employers.

4️⃣ Yes, it’s helpful, but here’s how it should work. Many platforms force and show daily activity, which creates empty consistency instead of real learning. Users end up doing the bare minimum just to keep a streak alive to show off. I believe it should function more like the Forest mobile app: let me choose my own schedule (days, weeks, or months), and then display meaningful metrics such as questions solved, hours spent, labs completed, or PG content finished. That shows genuine effort and progress, not just ticking the box.

5️⃣ Key metrics that reflect OSCP-level progress:

• Skill growth per domain (Network, Web, AD, Cloud, Mobile)
• Total lab hours and number of rooted boxes (Linux, Windows, AD)
• Average and fastest time to root per difficulty level
• Exploit categories handled (Kernel, Post-Exploitation, Privesc)

[orchid hamlet]

1️⃣ When you're learning or upskilling, what kind of feedback or progress tracking do you find most motivating or useful?
R: The time I spend in the lab, and how much progress I make along the learning path (it gives me a bit of anxiety, but it’s fine.). I also like having PG labs associated with each module so I can keep practicing.

2️⃣ If you were to share your learning progress with a potential employer or peer, what would you want them to notice first?
R: My certifications, badges, enrolled courses, machines I’ve pwned, and my learning streak.

3️⃣ How valuable would it be for you to see your learning progress broken down by job roles (e.g., “80% match for SOC Analyst”) or MITRE techniques? Why?
R: That would be awesome! It would also be great if you could include learning paths with the related modules and machines linked to each path.

4️⃣ Would a timeline of your learning activity (e.g., “7 modules completed in the past 3 weeks”) help you stay on track or reflect on your progress?
R: Not really. I prefer a streak tracker, other platforms use it, and people often share their streaks to show how engaged they are in their cybersecurity journey.

5️⃣ Are there any other metrics meaningful to you or your professional goals that you’d like shown on your profile?
R: A system showing how many PG machines I’ve pwned, badges for my certifications, and a level or rank based on the number of machines pwned and certifications earned

[rotund grail]

1️⃣ When I’m learning or upskilling, I use Time Trackers and Online Calendars. Every night before bed, I plan the next day on Online Calendar, scheduling all my tasks for action-based progress tracking. When I start studying or working on new skills, I use Time Tracker to measure how many productive hours I spend. I found them most motivating.

2️⃣ My hand on experience, completed courses nad machines that i root

3️⃣ That would be extremely valuable. Even though I haven’t seen anything like that before, a percentage-based breakdown would definitely motivate me to complete more tasks and get closer to my target role. It would make my progress feel more concrete and goal-based.

4️⃣ Absolutely. A visual timeline of my learning activity would help me stay on track, review my consistency, and see how my productivity changes over time. It would make it easier to reflect and adjust my goals if needed.

5️⃣ I like setting small, short-term goals for myself, so I’d love to see a “completed vs. uncompleted goals per month” metric. That kind of feedback would help me track my momentum, celebrate progress, and stay accountable to my personal development plan.

[glacial bane]

1️⃣ When you're learning or upskilling, what kind of feedback or progress tracking do you find most motivating or useful?
A: I think what I find the most useful would be the progress bar that's in the lab, it usually helps me adjust my pace to the course.
2️⃣ If you were to share your learning progress with a potential employer or peer, what would you want them to notice first?
A: I think all the time I've spent on the machines, my certifications, badges etc.
3️⃣ How valuable would it be for you to see your learning progress broken down by job roles (e.g., “80% match for SOC Analyst”) or MITRE techniques? Why?
A : I think it would be really valuable, specially for people who don't know what track they would like to go on, whether it be blue, red or purple.
4️⃣ Would a timeline of your learning activity (e.g., “7 modules completed in the past 3 weeks”) help you stay on track or reflect on your progress?
A : Yes! I think this would be a great addition to the progress bat.
5️⃣ Are there any other metrics meaningful to you or your professional goals that you’d like shown on your profile?
A : Yup, I believe there are many individuals within the community who have completed certifications at a young age, so displaying that on my profile would definitely show employers that I'm actually committed towards the field, rather than just presenting myself as another certification holder. In addition to this it would probably be a really good feature if all my total labs I've completed, and so on would be shown on my profile.

[obtuse fern]

1️⃣ R: I really tend to lean towards "badges"/”medals” earned through practical assessments (not necessarily easy ones). These help ease the experience as a whole, because it blurs the line between work and playing. Not to mention others could get a hold of your skill by simply observing your profile’s achievements, further boosting my motivation. As for the usefulness part, these would serve as a scapegoat to glorify your profile; a side-quest if you will.

2️⃣ R: My consistency. No matter the number of badges or awards, I think the one thing that catches one’s eye is seeing the passion behind the scenes. Skills take a long time to hone and I believe that them taking a notice of this would really come as an ice breaker, both for small talk or for HR.

3️⃣ R: This is a great question. The MITRE is highly regarded as an industry standard. With that said, if such a progress (as exemplified in the question) were to incorporate these techniques, I think it would spark more interest in the platform and lead to better self-assessment. To me, this would be very valued.

4️⃣ R: Sure, but only at a surface level. From personal experience with other platforms, such a system would serve as a quick reminder and not really help the user “stay on track”. If, say, the example were to look like “You left at X module. Strike while the iron is hot!” (where the last phrase would link to the module), it would push the one in question to resume quicker than a traditional timeline.

5️⃣ R: A system showing how many PG machines I’ve pwned, as well as time spent in lab, number of challenges solved and visual way of seeing a skill matrix (based on levels - junior, advanced, etc).

[potent inlet]

Level-Up Tracker
" How I Actually Progres"

1️⃣ Know Where I Stand
Progress bars, mastery levels, badges—no guessing. Tiny wins + understanding why I failed = skill. ESO stats, Linux labs, welding logs—numbers guide improvement.

2️⃣ Show Me Doing 💻
Projects > modules. Ubuntu Server with containers, automation reports, welding builds/logs. Real outcomes, not theory.

3️⃣ Make It Strategic
Map progress to roles or MITRE ATT&CK. Example: 80% SOC Analyst-ready.
Just like the MITRE ATT&CK welders and gamers have playbooks for tactics, techniques and common knowledge. Studying, applying and growing.
ESO trials, Linux/Network labs, welding milestones = targeted learning.

4️⃣ Timeline = Accountability
Track streaks & milestones: Ubuntu server #1 = 20 hrs, #2 = 12 hrs. ChatGPT mock timelines + detailed welding logs = measurable growth.

5️⃣ Big Picture & Cross-Skill
Labs, challenges, projects, and cross-skill metrics (Linux ↔ Networking ↔ Cybersecurity ↔ Welding) show readiness and next moves. Job-readiness score = ultimate snapshot.

• Social Context
  Peer progress = motivation & perspective without racing.

• Bottom Line
  Visible, measurable, actionable progress + recognition + reflection + real-world projects = steady skill growth, mastery, and tangible results.

[peak cliff]

2. My hands on lab proficiency. Instead of just completed courses/certs,  I'd want them to notice the types of real-world scenarios I've successfully solved. or projects i've made.

3. super valuable. it's directly translates my learning into career relevance (job roles) and industry standard, tactical context (MITREE), which is the language of security professionals right.

4. Absolutely. A visual timeline is a powerful motivator for maintaining consistency..

5. yes, A "Learning Depth" score, A long-term engagement metric,  Badges for community contributions```

[icy ice]

1️⃣
When I’m learning something new, what really helps me is feedback that explains why I got something wrong instead of just showing “passed” or “failed.” It feels more meaningful when I can see how my accuracy or problem-solving is improving over time — not just that I finished a module.

2️⃣
I’d want them to notice the practical growth — like the number of labs, challenges, or CTFs I’ve completed and how my approach has improved over time. Certifications are fine, but I’d rather they see that I’ve developed problem-solving habits, learned real tools, and stayed consistent with learning. Even small improvements over time matter more to me than rushing through topics just to get badges.

3️⃣
That’d be pretty useful, especially for someone still exploring what fits them best in cybersecurity. If I could see that my learning aligns more with a SOC role or that I’ve covered certain MITRE techniques, it’d give me direction. But it should be based on real data — like the skills and labs I’ve done — not random numbers. I think it’d make learning feel more connected to actual job goals instead of just studying aimlessly.

4️⃣
Yeah, absolutely. Sometimes it feels like I’m not doing enough, but when I see how many modules or labs I’ve finished in a certain time, it gives me a good reality check. A timeline would help me spot when I’m being consistent or when I’ve been slacking off. It’s simple, but it’s a good way to stay accountable.

5️⃣
Maybe a breakdown of time spent on hands-on vs theory, or how often I revisit older topics — because revising tough areas shows real growth. Also, a skill tracker for tools like Wireshark, Burp Suite, or Nmap would be nice. It’d be great if my profile could show which areas I’m strongest in, like networking or SOC operations, so I can clearly see where I stand and what to work on next.

[nocturne basin]

1️⃣ When you're learning or upskilling, what kind of feedback or progress tracking do you find most motivating or useful?

• What motivates me most is seeing tangible progress not just completed modules, but real improvements in my practical skills

2️⃣ If you were to share your learning progress with a potential employer or peer, what would you want them to notice first?

• I’d want them to notice the dedication and consistency the time and effort I’ve invested in mastering practical labs and techniques. Time spent learning reflects commitment and that demonstrate professional growth

3️⃣ How valuable would it be for you to see your learning progress broken down by job roles (e.g., “80% match for SOC Analyst”) or MITRE techniques? Why?

• I would like to see my learning progress broken down by specific roles or MITRE techniques, as this would provide a more practical and aligned view. Being able to identify how prepared I am for a role as a SOC Analyst, and which MITRE techniques I have mastered or need to reinforce, would allow me to guide my development more strategically

4️⃣ Would a timeline of your learning activity (e.g., “7 modules completed in the past 3 weeks”) help you stay on track or reflect on your progress?

• Yes, it would help me assess how consistent I’ve been with my learning and reevaluate my progress to refocus when needed. It would also allow me to identify periods of stagnation and higher productivity, helping me adjust my pace and maintain continuous improvement

5️⃣ Are there any other metrics meaningful to you or your professional goals that you’d like shown on your profile?

• I’d like to see metrics that reflect the most frequently learned skills based on completed labs, as well as the total number of labs a user has completed

[mild sandal]

Hello everyone! 👋
Thank you so much for sharing your responses, we really appreciate the effort and thought you put into them.

Our team will be selecting three individuals with the most detailed and natural responses to receive Proving Grounds Practice access.

I’ll post an update here soon to announce the three selected participants!

[mild sandal]

Hello everyone, apologies for the delay in announcing the selected individuals who provided us detailed and helpful responses.

So, the 3 individuals who are selected by our staff are, @plush aspen , @obtuse fern and @potent inlet.
Congratulations on winning the 2-month PG Practice access ❤️

[plush aspen]

hi YangYang, sorry if this may seem dumb, could you please let me know how could I claim it ? thanks!