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How do I network with myself to obtain an entry level position in Cybersecurity?

I'm interested in perusing a career in cybersecurity, and I plan to get the appropriate certifications soon (e.g CompTIA Security+, CEH, etc) but as I was researching I kept seeing the common pattern of "a friend of a friend got me access to this position", I don't interact with people outside of my family and really tight friend group. I want to try working for an international company one day, how do I connect with others?

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James Patterson’s Answer

1. Become comfortable with the idea of professional contacts outside of your existing friend and family circles. It's true that many opportunities are found through friends of friends, so you must increase your number of professional friends online.

2. Actively participate in platforms like LinkedIn, Reddit's r/cybersecurity, or Discord servers. Sharing your learning journey and insights builds your visibility and credibility.

3. Look for cybersecurity-focused meetups or webinars through platforms like Meetup.com or local industry events in South Africa. Even virtual attendance can lead to valuable connections.

4. Participate in online cybersecurity competitions and CTF challenges to collaborate with peers worldwide. This practical involvement can help you build relationships and demonstrate your skills to potential employers.

5. Consider creating a cybersecurity-focused blog, TikTok/Instagram posts, LinkedIn posts, or YouTube channel documenting your certification journey and insights. This increases your exposure to recruiters and industry professionals internationally.

6. Contribute to open-source cybersecurity projects or volunteer for non-profits needing cybersecurity assistance (church, schools, community service programs). This proactive approach helps you build meaningful connections and demonstrates your passion to potential employers globally.
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Rafael’s Answer

Hi Amanda,

Networking is essential for any career and even for entering the cybersecurity field, especially for students aiming for international roles. Use LinkedIn to build a strong profile and connect with professionals. I advise to join online groups and forums, attend virtual events, and participate actively. Professional organizations in cybersecurity can help you meet others in the field. Engage in CTF competitions and online challenges to improve your skills and network. Also, seek informational interviews with industry experts and leverage educational institutions' networks when obtaining certifications. Hope this helps!
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Edmond’s Answer

My suggestion is to find the local chapters of cybersecurity non-profits. Most have local chapters in major metro areas and list them in their websites: OWASP (owasp.org), ISC2 (isc2.org), and ISSA (issa.org) are some of the larger ones, each specializing in a different area.
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Shivam’s Answer

Hi Amanda! Your question took me back to the time when I graduated from high school in 2012. I didn't want to network with anyone and was very comfortable with my familiar circle. But fast forward to now, I realized the power of conversations and how the act of sharing can take someone places. When you have a conversation with anyone, I genuinely believe that both parties learn something new! Over the past decade, I’ve seen how this has changed things for me personally, and it reflects in my personality today.

I would recommend starting with 1:1 conversations with people you admire and can find online on platforms like LinkedIn or Topmate. Find common ground between the two of you and reach out with a candid message. As you know, cybersecurity is a vast field, and through these conversations, you’ll likely receive guidance on narrowing it down to what interests you most within the space. After that, you can aim for certifications with the required focus based on the skills you want to hone.

I'm sharing another resource that can help you decide your career path. Play around with this interactive tool, and you'll definitely gain some insights - https://www.cyberseek.org/pathway.html

Do feel free to reach out if you need any other help, I'll be more than happy to assist!

Shivam recommends the following next steps:

Initiate 1:1 conversations with people on platforms like LinkedIn or Topmate
Gain more insights about the different cybersecurity careers here - https://www.cyberseek.org/pathway.html
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