Matthew Rosenquist walks through four ways to land your first cybersecurity job: volunteer for real experience, build a professional brand on LinkedIn, study how practitioners in your target role actually work, and grow your network by connecting with peers in the field.
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Welcome to the Tech Education Series, where current students and lifelong learners ask questions to industry professionals in search of meaningful insights. How can I break into my first cybersecurity role? Landing the first job in cybersecurity can be very difficult. You are not alone. Having a degree and certifications is valuable, but most companies are looking for experienced professionals even when hiring for entry-level positions. Here's my advice if you're searching for your first job in cybersecurity. First, look to gain real-world experience. Volunteer for activities, take part in events, and strive to get experience that you can showcase. It makes a huge difference, and you will learn a ton. Number 2, purposely build your professional reputation, your brand. You are already on LinkedIn, so use it to stand out by showing lots of thoughtful and professional activity. Number 3, follow and learn from others in the role that you want to achieve. See how they describe issues, the tools that they use, how they approach problems. It will help you see and talk about the industry, which is really important in interviews and all forms of communication. Lastly, number 4, build your professional network. Do this by connecting and engaging with others in the industry. That network will be an asset in your first job and during your entire career in cybersecurity. Just don't give up. Keep plugging away. It is tough getting that first job, but you can do it. And cybersecurity can be a great career, and it needs talented, motivated, and resilient people just like you. Check out all the questions and answers on the Cybersecurity Insights YouTube channel at YouTube.com/CybersecurityInsights.
