Career Reinvention: Considering a Switch to Cybersecurity
Check out what it would mean for someone working in the tech industry to shift to a cybersecurity career.
Melissa Rhodes from Raytheon Intelligence & Space discusses how the cybersecurity industry would benefit from expanding its recruitment efforts to those who don’t have a typical cyber background.
Career reinvention can be daunting and intimidating. However, with many workers across the U.S. feeling complacent or unhappy in their current roles, a job switch could be the answer they seek. Fortunately, the cybersecurity field proves to be a good place for such a change.
The cybersecurity industry is an ideal space for reinvention as it always seeks innovative outlooks. This offers a unique opportunity for those questioning their place and purpose in their current role. Of course, making a big decision like this is never easy, so knowing all the details before committing – especially when moving into such a critical field of work is essential.
The Effects of a Cyber Skills Gap
A significant skills gap in the cybersecurity industry has created a unique opportunity for individuals from various backgrounds to enter the field. Employers are seeking new people who weren’t necessarily trained to be cyber defenders but who have fresh perspectives and the potential to learn. This situation creates a tremendous opportunity for career reinvention. In response to this talent gap, the industry has committed to providing the new hires the resources and support they need to reach their fullest potential and succeed in a new career space.
Training people with little to no background in cybersecurity requires a lot of time, dedication, and resources. However, this training must become a priority because hiring from a larger talent pool is mutually beneficial for new hires looking to make a career switch and companies looking to grow. It is no secret that cyberattacks have grown more sophisticated and, consequently, more difficult to defend against. Cybersecurity companies realize that a shift in thinking and operating is needed. By looking for talent with different work experiences, they can effectively take advantage of unique insights to better address the latest cyber threats.
See More: How AI Can Help Address the Talent and Skills Shortage
Employee Advantages
In the U.S., while 65% of employees are satisfied with their current jobs, only 20% say they are passionate about their jobs, and more than half want to change their jobs. Many people spend most of their time working, and satisfaction and meaning must be prioritized to set up an organization for success. When employees are both content in doing their job and passionate about their work, their quality of work is much higher. Many cybersecurity employers recognize this and want to allow their people to find passion and fulfillment within the field, regardless of their backgrounds.
Finding a sense of purpose in a job can be challenging. In cybersecurity, working to solve a problem that could potentially have a global effect can provide immense professional gratification. Cybersecurity professionals are constantly pushed to think proactively and strategically, making each day look different than the last.
Through employers’ and cybersecurity companies’ commitment to training new talent, professionals that enter the field now receive immediate advantages to develop their skill sets. This benefit will be with them for the rest of their careers, whatever future career opportunities may come their way. To be clear, the cybersecurity field has its unique stressors and demands, but it also offers a larger sense of purpose for those seeking more out of their current career paths.
See More: 4 Reasons the IT Skills Gap Is a Good Thing
Taking the Leap
Knowing how to get started is essential if someone decides that cybersecurity is the place to reinvent their career. The first step entails committing to this change. Those who have mentally prepared themselves for such a journey will be ready to create the pathways necessary for success. Once that commitment is established, these new job candidates can start looking at job postings and focus on the outlined requirements. It’s crucial to determine how many requirements they have met while starting a list of those still needed.
Next, individuals should contact their personal and professional networks and connect with cyber hiring managers. At this point, they should focus on generating research questions when talking with these sources, especially to understand what they look for when hiring. This will help individuals round out their readiness for a potential interview – which may include earning IT certifications or taking some targeted technical classes, as well as knowing what types of training should be made available to them by the hiring organization.
Of course, candidates should work to understand all they can about the types of cyber roles they would be most qualified for and interested in taking on – the good and the bad. This will ensure no element of surprise later down the line that catches them off guard, potentially making their career switch regretfully. It is also essential that any decisions being made are based on desire and genuine interest. If one enjoys the work they do and has the opportunity to work with good people, the rest will follow.
Making a career change can be stressful, so taking it one step at a time is the best way to approach a drastic reinvention. Because the cybersecurity field has plentiful opportunities to offer, ample room for new talent, and many roles, upfront diligence and focus will help those looking for a new career path end up in the proper role that will be mutually beneficial for all.
Should employees consider pivoting their careers toward cybersecurity? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. We’d love to hear from you!
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