Finding a mentor for starting into an entry level career with Cyber Security

Has anybody ever had a mentor for guiding them through the computer career process?

How would you find a mentor in the computer field? Someone with connections or with significant experience.

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Comments

JDMurray

There are a lot of "mentors" posting here at TE. What are you expecting a mentor to do for you?

Infosec_Cam

I know a few of the non-profit organizations have mentorship programs for their members. I know many have gone to more structured mentorship programs to make sure that folks on both ends are serious about participating and don't leave each other hanging on no-show meetings, etc.

One example I can think of offhand is the Women in Cybersecurity organization that has this program: https://www.wicys.org/initiatives/mentorship/. You could check with any professional organizations you are a part of or could consider joining.

Other option would be to find one here as @JDMurray mentioned. Good luck!

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E Double U

I didn't have one so had to learn the hard way.

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E Double U

I had a brief unemployment period when I decided to end my marketing career. I think it was 2 - 3 months. A family member that knew I was looking for something different introduced me to the friend of a friend that had his own small business acting as a subcontractor to the main contractor that provided IT support to the local school district. He gave me a job making $10/hour to build, deliver, and install computers at schools and their district offices. One day a co-worker asked if I had the A+ which I was not familiar with. He told me that his boss said he would get a raise if he got certified so I decided to pursue the credential in an effort to make more money. I got my first certification in 2005 at the age of 24 and many certifications after that.

From there I have continued to let the job dictate the certifications. I focused on Cisco, Microsoft, and Check Point credentials when I worked in environments that relied on those technologies and either recommended or required that we get certified. The beginning of my career I paid for things out of pocket because I was a contractor, but once I had employers that put up money for development I have taken full advantage which is why I have more certs to my name than I need.

TechGromit

Cyb0rgdilly said:

E Double U said:

I didn't have one so had to learn the hard way.

How much time did you spend unemployed and applying for jobs to get your foot in the door?

Did you get certifications first or did you get the job first?

This is your First Mistake, why are you unemployed? While you may not be able to get your dream job right away, there no reason you can't work somewhere else until that opportunity presents itself. Preferably something in IT, but if you can't get an IT job, then any job would do.

If I interviewed you, I'd ask you where are you working now and if you tell me your unemployed. First thing i would think is your lazy, it's not like we are in a recession where you can't find a job anywhere, there places begging for workers. Sorry you don't meet our needs (we like people that are not lazy working here), but I'll keep your application on file (in my computers recycle bin, at least till it auto delete / empties it).

JDMurray

TechGromit said:
If I interviewed you, I'd ask you where are you working now and if you tell me your unemployed. First thing i would think is your lazy, it's not like we are in a recession where you can't find a job anywhere, there places begging for workers. Sorry you don't meet our needs (we like people that are not lazy working here), but I'll keep your application on file (in my computers recycle bin, at least till it auto delete / empties it).

OK, ouch.

UnixGuy

Never had a mentor but I wish I had one, it woulda saved me time, money, blood and tears.

FluffyBunny

A few people out there (I think including The Cyber Mentor) made videos and posts about how to properly approach mentors on the web. Those were interesting reads.

Here, and on Discord, I've seen two approaches that work:

1. It happens naturally, with folks just meeting and continuing their talks, then evolving further and further from there. That's basically how I met and coached two uni students from the US and Canada (I'm in EUW).

2. The server has a dedicated mentoring channel, where people can offer or request help.

Just approaching randos without #1 or #2 becomes awkward real quickly, mostly because the approached person doesn't actually want to mentor anyone or because the person looking for help opens with nothing more than "any tips on getting into cyber?".

Outside of forums or Discord, there's various mentoring programs that you could sign up for. As @Infosec_Cam said, there's coaching programs for specific demographics (women, LGTBQ+, students, minorities), but there's also open programs out there. Go out and find them.

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FluffyBunny

I see you decided to withdraw your message; not a bad decision, as it may have affected your reputation.

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