How to Break Into Cybersecurity with NO Experience

This is how I broke into cybersecurity with no experience 👩🏻‍💻

I started my career in a cybersecurity rotational program after graduating college with my degree in IST. These are the biggest things that helped me stand out: 

“Your disadvantages might be your biggest advantage” 👾💡

My biggest concern when getting into cybersecurity was that I had zero experience and knew nothing about the field. I had a software engineering background and wasn’t expecting to go into cybersecurity at all when I was looking for full time jobs post-college. 

But this was actually what made me stand out. The hiring manager for my first job also happened to come from a software engineering background before they pivoted into cybersecurity. I never thought my SWE experience would be relevant or even a point of interest for a cybersecurity hiring manager but my background was the biggest reason why I got that role. 

“Put yourself out there. Networking is key” 🌐🤝

I got my first cybersecurity job offer from attending the Grace Hopper Conference hosted by AnitaB.org. If I hadn’t attended the conference career fair or decided to go up to my previous employer’s booth to speak to a recruiter, I would’ve never had this opportunity or even known about it. 

The same could be said for sending that LinkedIn message to a recruiter or going up to someone you want to connect with at a networking event. The best way to get a job is by directly talking to people, this will always take you farther than cold-applying to job listings online. Get out there and network! 

[BTW - I also recently made a video on the best entry-level GRC jobs linked here.]

“Luck is the intersect of hard work + opportunity” 🍀

If I hadn’t put in the work my first 3 years of college to get internships, TA roles, and undergrad research experience, I wouldn’t have had what it took to have my resume stand out when speaking to that hiring manager. If I didn’t choose to apply for the scholarship to attend GHC, I wouldn’t have been able to attend the conference at all, let alone as a GHC Scholar. 

Do the hard work first, you never know when it’ll pay off. You may not know exactly what you’re working towards right now with the hard work you’re putting in, but I guarantee you that it will work out even if your path forward is unclear.

I’m rooting for you! 💪