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Ep 4: Building a Cybersecurity Career Pathway

Last updated on Nov. 8, 2024

In this episode of My Cyber Coach

Host Jason Shockey helps veterans explore how to build a cybersecurity career pathway that aligns with their skills, interests, and personality traits.

As a veteran himself, Jason highlights how military experience equips individuals with discipline, problem-solving, and leadership—qualities in high demand within cybersecurity.

Cybersecurity offers diverse roles to fit different strengths. If you enjoy solving puzzles, consider becoming an Information Security Analyst, where you’ll monitor networks and identify threats. If hands-on challenges excite you, Penetration Testing (ethical hacking) could be a perfect match. Veterans with leadership experience might thrive as Cybersecurity Managers, overseeing teams and strategies. Meanwhile, those who perform well under pressure may excel as Incident Responders, managing breaches and minimizing damage.

Jason advises veterans to reflect on what they enjoyed in their military careers—whether leadership, teamwork, or technical work—and align these with cybersecurity roles. He also emphasizes the importance of certifications like CompTIA Security+ or CISSP for advancing in the field.

Cybersecurity is a fast-changing industry, making lifelong learning key. Veterans have the mindset to succeed, and Jason’s series provides guidance for navigating certifications, training, and education. Your next mission starts here—find your path and create a stable, rewarding cyber career!

About My Cyber Coach

Hi, I’m Jason Shockey, a retired U.S. Marine, CISO, and founder of MyCyberPath.com. I have 25+ years of experience in cybersecurity, 20 of which were in the U.S. Military and Intelligence Community leading cyberspace operations, cyber risk management, and cyber incident response. Three of my last 20 years were spent with the Cyber National Mission Force (CNMF) at the USCYBERCOM/NSA Campus at Ft. Meade leading national level operations.

I know firsthand how challenging it is to transition from military service into civilian life. Military veterans are uniquely qualified for careers in cyber security and I’m here to teach you why.