Capture The Flag (CTF) events serve as an educational tool in cybersecurity, offering students a structured and engaging learning experience. Drawing from over a decade of experience running CTF-style events for students, this talk explores the benefits gained from competitions as well as the advantages of incorporating open-source technologies in CTFs. We'll discuss how these events provide hands-on experience that mimics real-world job tasks, helping students identify their strengths and preferences within the field. The presentation will cover how businesses can contribute by creating platform-specific content, enhancing the relevance and diversity of challenges. We'll delve into the value of student feedback, emphasizing how both positive and negative reactions to challenges can guide career path decisions and prevent future job dissatisfaction. The talk will highlight how the problem-solving skills developed during CTFs translate directly to real-world scenarios, making these events more memorable and effective than traditional training methods.