Senior Director - Cybersecurity - Security Operations, DevSecOps, and Data Protection
I was having a discussion with one of my mentees the other day and she asked if I had planned out my career steps to get where I am today. While some of it was driven by what I wanted to do as type of work, a bigger portion was due to the following: Having great mentors - Jeff Salyards, Brian Ford Sr., Jim Jaeger, Marios Damianides and Peter George are just a few that come to mind that if I hadn't been fortunate enough to cross paths with them, my life would be very different than it is today. To them and many others I am eternally grateful. Being prepared when opportunity knocks - This is where I had a bit of input on. Attending "Cyber Cop 101" at NW3C, Inc. and getting my CFCE from IACIS: International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists were my start in computer forensics. Obtaining my Masters degree. Completing the CISO program at Executive Education at Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College. All those have been stepping stones for where I am and where I want to be. But the most important factor is... Don't be afraid to take the leap - I still think back to when I was a police officer. While it was a very difficult job it was a stable career. Do my 25-30 years, get a guaranteed pension, retire in late 40s or early 50s, and then get a job to ride our the rest. I had no idea what it meant to be a contractor for the DoD. No idea what working with the government would mean. No clue what it would mean going from the 80k employee company of GD to the 200ish people of Fidelis and so forth. This doesn't mean I jumped at every opportunity, but I trusted my family's input, mentor coaching and the all important gut feel. I hope some of this is helpful to others who are earlier in their career or don't have a mentor to hear this from. Have a great week everyone.
Wonderful post. Thanks for the shout out and for sharing with us - we all grow every day through these interactions
Joel Anderson
1mo
Well said brother!! 👊🏼
Cesar Garza
1mo
Sharing is caring, great insight sharing!
Well said! I couldn't agree more! It's inspiring to see how pivotal moments and great mentors have shaped your path and I can relate with my own experiences. Hopefully you sharing your experience will inspire others to find mentors and be flexible. Thanks for sharing!
Great advice!! Even the best players need a coach to help guide them!
Great post! I couldn't agree more with this approach. And your mentor pool is constantly growing and evolving. And when that opportunity knocks make sure you answer the call. No excuses on timing. Always take the call. For the last 10 years I have had a personal "Board of Directors" that I run a lot of major business and life decisions through. It has been a game changer. Some of them don't even know they are on the list but they always get the call.