Transitioning from a career as a decorated Army cook, this veteran initially struggled to bridge the gap between earning certifications and gaining the hands-on experience required for a cybersecurity role. Through the VetSec community, they accessed valuable resources that led directly to their first SOC Analyst position and a successful pivot into federal IT service. In this edition of VetSec Impact Stories, we highlight how peer support and industry networking turned a daunting career change into a sustainable professional journey.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background before joining VetSec?
Before joining the Army, I was a chef in Columbus, Georgia. My culinary background allowed me to join the Army as an E4 and also afforded me some amazing opportunities while serving in the military as a cook. Being on the United States Army Culinary Arts Team and working for several Generals in the DC area as an Enlisted Aide were very unique experiences. While I was in the Army, I pivoted to a new career as a linguist which gave me the chance to study Iraqi Arabic in Monterey, California for two years. While transitioning from the Army after 8 years, I decided I wanted a more stable lifestyle with an opportunity for work-life balance, which led me to consider a career path in Information Technology.
How did you first learn about VetSec, and what motivated you to get involved?
I knew my background in the military could be valuable in IT and Cybersecurity, but I wasn’t really sure what that would look like in practice. LinkedIn was a very useful tool for me as I transitioned from the Army and I started to look for others who had followed this path from Soldier to IT. One day I saw a profile of someone who I thought looked knowledgeable and had an interesting job, his name is Jace Powell. I asked him what advice he could give me about starting a career in Cybersecurity and he sent me a link to VetSec with a couple of motivational words mixed in there also. I haven’t spoken directly to Jace or met him in person, but he did me a huge favor that day directing me to VetSec.
What were some of the biggest challenges or obstacles you faced in transitioning to a cybersecurity career before joining VetSec?
This is an interesting question because there is a difference between what I thought the challenges would be and what the challenges actually are, when it comes to a career in Cybersecurity. What I thought the challenges would be were education and certifications. Changing careers as I got out of the Army meant I was starting from the ground up. The notion of a Cybersecurity ‘skills gap’ is very enticing and in 2020 this was a very hot topic on the job market. I thought it would be as easy as knocking out some certs, maybe use my GI Bill to tack on an Undergrad Certificate or an associates degree in IT and I would be off and running with a new career path.
It turns out the actual challenge for a pivoting into a career in IT or security is experience. Getting IT experience when you have zero is the biggest hurdle when you’re starting down this career path. I was extremely lucky to have a valuable clearance from the Army and to live in a place where not a lot of people are looking to relocate. Those two aspects helped me land my first job in IT before I fully transitioned from the Army.
Can you describe your experience with VetSec’s training and mentorship programs? What specific resources or support did you find most valuable?
While I have not had a direct mentor from any VetSec member, the information about the industry you can aquire just from being active and reading the Slack is incredible. You can get a feel for how people view the industry and feel about their jobs just by reading the tea leaves that are posted in the various channels from day to day. Even the memes posted in the group give you little hints about the day to day culture of working in the Cybersecurity industry. The chance to ask questions and read resume reviews is really something I value and look forward to every day.
The resume review section in the VetSec Slack is an incredible channel to pay attention to. I thought I was a pretty good resume writer as I transitioned from the Army to the private sector/civilian workforce. I was wrong about that. VetSec has helped me craft a quality resume not only in terms of content, but the actual structure of a resume as well. I’ve learned to look at my resume with a more critical eye and consider what needs to be kept and what needs to be trimmed. Having a group of current, seasoned hiring managers critique your resume will not only show you how to build a better document to communicate your experience, but it will also reveal what holes you might have in your experience and potentially help you decide what your next career move should be.
Even if you don’t have a job directly in Cybersecurity, you can get exposure to very skilled, very experienced people who will share their personalities with you day to day. For a free service offered to veterans and service members, this is incredible value.
How has the VetSec community impacted you personally and professionally?
One day I was reading the VetSec ‘jobs listings’ channel and someone casually posted, ‘Hey, my company is hiring for a SOC Analyst. If anyone is interested, send me your resume.’ So, I sent my resume and I got an interview. I had just completed the Undergraduate Certificate program from SANS, so I had some GIAC certs under my belt, but not a lot of experience on my resume. This wasn’t a huge company, so I thought it couldn’t hurt to try. To my suprise, I got an interview. That interview led to two more interviews and a job offer. About a month later, I was officially a SOC Analyst and working in Cybersecurity.
I will say, the most valuable thing I learned from this experience is that I didn’t really like being a SOC Analyst. There are several factors I could point to here between myself and the company, but mostly I learned that I really needed more experience in the IT industry before I tried jumping into a role like working in a SOC. Maybe it could be that having such roles IS part of gaining experience in the Cybersecurity industry. After about six months of working in SOC life, I started keeping my eye open for government jobs near where I live and I eventually made the jump into federal service working in IT for the Army.
Can you share a specific moment or achievement during your time with VetSec that you are particularly proud of?
After my experience working in a SOC and with my current job, I really wanted to focus on building a solid foundation of IT experience and that led me towards studying Computer Science. While I was in the Army, I finished my Bachelors Degree at a (GASP!) Online School studying (DOUBLE GASP!) National Security. This has allowed me to jump into a Computer Science program at Auburn for Post Bacc students. I am really proud to have completed a degree while on active duty in the Army. Online school or not, I consider it a nice accomplishment to have completed a degree while balancing career and family, but studying Computer Science has always been something I thought might be too difficult or out of my reach.
But the community in VetSec really does an excellent job of rallying around people’s accomplishments. Whenever someone posts in the ‘education’ channel that they completed a certification or a degree program, there’s always a congratulations or four thrown around (and at least 10 thumbs ups reactions… at least). This is a small ‘you can do it’ kind of thing, but it’s not that different from when you’re suffering through something with other service members in the military. I’ve posted a small quip or joke about CompSci being difficult and four or five people will chime in with “Yeah, it sucks don’t it?” type comments, which really translates to “Yeah man, but… this too shall pass”. Starting down the difficult path of Computer Science is probably my biggest achievement from VetSec.
Where are you currently in your cybersecurity career, and how did VetSec contribute to your success?
Currently, I work as a federal service civilian for the Department of the Army as an Information Technology Specialist. I would describe my job as ‘glorified help desk’, but I do quite a bit of Cybersecurity relates tasks also. Because of the time I have as a SOC Analyst, I’m regularly tasked to help with vulnerability remediation on network devices. This includes new CVEs, anything found on an ACAS scan for various devices, or new task orders published by NETCOM. I also do a lot of work with Risk Management and the Army’s equivalent of the GRC team. I consider VetSec to be directly responsible for my current role.
Reflecting on your journey, how do you think your career and personal growth would have been different without VetSec? What are your future aspirations in the field of cybersecurity?
I know my career would not be where it is today without the help, resources, and support provided by VetSec. Without VetSec, I might not have found a job which opened my door to the Cybersecurity job market and help me understand my own shortcomings in the IT industry. It also helped me understand the kind of environment, culture, and people I want to work for in the industry. Much like being in the military, some professions are different on the inside than the outside and it’s very difficult to communicate the realities of an occupation without actually having lived it. VetSec is the reason I have a bit of understanding and insight into this field now.
I would consider working in the Cybersecurity field again, if the right job came along. I’m in a fortunate position to really enjoy what I do for a living, while building as much experience as I can for the future. I’ve been a member of VetSec for close to five years now. That’s five years of Information Technology experience I’ve gained while also working on an education in Computer Science and peppering in a Certification or two along the way. When I do decide to seriously consider going back to the Cybersecurity job market, my goal will be to pursue a job I’m really excited about as a top candidate for the role.
What advice would you give to other veterans considering a career in cybersecurity and thinking about joining VetSec?
Any Service Member or Veteran who is remotely interested in the IT field should join VetSec. It’s not a decision- just do it. You don’t have to make a post every day- just be a lurker. Read the posts, enjoy some memes, check the job listings, tighten up that resume, and make yourself undeniable when you get ready to apply for a job.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your experience with VetSec or a message to the community?
I’m fortunate enough to work directly with Soldiers everyday at my current job. Every quarter, I teach a Command Indoctrination class to service members on Fort Drum. The class is a demonstration of the services provided by my organization and the last day of class I always give a little pep talk for those troops who are thinking about transitioning from service. VetSec is the first thing I show them. The value service members gain from being a part of this community is incredible.
If you’re interested in making a career change to IT/Cybersecurity and you have zero experience in the industry, I can personally attest that making the change is not impossible, but it also isn’t easy. VetSec can help you lean on every piece of military experience and gain every advantage possible to help you land a job. That’s the key- land that first job. It doesn’t matter what it is. Help desk at your local small business, contractor at your local military installation, Best Guy Geek Squad person- all of that is an experience you add to your resume to build towards the future. VetSec and the resources it provides can help you with this process, just like it did me and hundreds of other people.