I’m sure you’ve heard this a lot. So have I. But it is as eye opening as they say once you have that first call.
It sounds so simple, but it needs to come from someone else – he basically reinforced what I already know. My background isn’t in tech, beyond what I use for music. I can build a computer and I can monitor my RAM/CPU usage, temperature/fan usage, etc. as well as have a smart head on my shoulders to prevent from being socially engineered (or I sure hope so). But I do have a ton of leadership experience, as well as knowledge of extensive PII (personal identifiable information) and CUI (controlled unclassified information) protection and safeguarding. Not to mention experience in purchasing, inventory, and personnel management on the paperwork and career counseling side. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention a damn M. S. Education degree.
Combine all that above with my lack of technical experience, I really should be looking into cybersecurity training/development and project management. As an expert in the field, my mentor reminded me of the multitude of realms and specialties in cyber security. This has allowed me to reevaluate my training pipeline, and to breathe a little without being overwhelmed. I still have under three years before my current job ends. I have work to do, but I don’t need to over stress myself. That won’t be helpful to my future employer(s). I’m still considering the trio of CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+, but maybe I should get a PMP first. That’s my next step – researching what’s really required of a training/leadership program.
Now, all of this I learned from my first phone call with a mentor. Before yesterday, and as you can probably tell in my previous posts, I was just following the crowd from reading Reddit posts and comments on some career boards I’m on. What I’ve learned is that “the crowd” wants to be a penetration tester, a hacker, closely followed by an analyst (including me). Many have been into this since they were 16 or at least just after high school. I’m going to be 50 and switching from being a professional trombone player, yet I possess many skills from my growth in this career field. I needed that phone call and realization to come to this basic summary…
If you’re different, you need to be different.
You have qualities that others don’t. Those are what stand out from other applicants. Get a mentor, make a website, do other things in addition to the standard stuff.
I wrote this before work on Monday and have to get ready, so no “what I’m reading/listening to” this week (maybe I’ll come back and add it). Go discover what already sets you apart from the crowd… in a way that can provide a service to your potential employers.