I got into cyber through…a horrible customer service experience while working my retail job at a high end shoe store! At the time I had dropped out of college and was trying to find what I was going to do next. There I was, putting the 5th pair of shoes back into the box and cleaning up all the mess that was being made. The man sitting in the chair raises his foot toward me and says “You can take this one off, it’s too tight.” I knew then, I wasn’t built for this line of work and within a week I was enrolled in a technical college. The academic advisor at the school sold me on Network Security and I’ve never looked back. Today…I would shake that man’s hand and thank him for being the catalyst to a great career; however, back then…well…we’ll leave that for another time!

For me, a positive cyber mindset is…doing the right thing and remembering the human element to the job. Not everyone does what we do for a living, shares the same concerns, or has the same interests. Finding the “secure” solution has to work for the business, customers, and the employees. I think we have to remember that we are in the business of people, and fostering strong relationships will go much further than forcing change with a hammer.

My top tip to those interested in transitioning to a career in cybersecurity is…to just go for it! There are so many different paths to getting into this world. Networking, social events, conferences, prestigious universities, technical colleges, and simply just studying on your own for a certification and applying for a job. I’ve worked with folks with incredibly diverse backgrounds with a singular focus on cyber, to those transitioning from a second job, to those just beginning fresh out of school. My biggest tip would be to believe in yourself and just go for it. You don’t have to know everything, that’s why most cybersecurity jobs are a team. Find where you can provide value, and the rest will work itself out.

The quote I live by is…“What you’re not changing, you’re choosing.” There are a variety of variations of this attributed to individuals, but at its core this quote has hit home for me over the last few years. It’s applicable to all aspects of one’s life and challenges you to really reflect on your choices and decisions.

My recommended reads are…I would say I have (2) at the moment. Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman. The ability to self-assess is critical in all aspects of one’s life. Along with the ability to read the room and have situational awareness. The second book I would recommend is Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willick. This book may not be for everyone, but it certainly has a role in owning mistakes, thinking critically, and taking accountability for one’s role in all situations.