Generation STEAM’s Post

The sheer power of social media, Linked-In & other social media platforms is just amazing. Between my job and teaching part-time, I often am tapped by recent graduates (undergraduate students and postgraduate students), those early in their careers, and sometimes those in mid-career simply looking for some industry discussion which is so rewarding. And there are times during the conversations that I say, "Wow, I should connect Person A to Person B for further conversation and some mentoring and guidance." Over the past few weeks, I've had 4 of these conversations with young professionals and literally sent a note through Linked-In to 4 connections, asking if I could ask their assistance in speaking with these young professionals. Within hours, I receive a note, "Of course Thom, happy to speak with them, here's my <insert email or mobile number>" from each of them! So a tremendous thanks to each mentor!!! (won't name them here, but you KNOW who you are and you WILL be named in the book!!) #Mentor #Cybersecurity #Leadership #Culture #Value #Guidance

The Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) mentor/mentee program was built in 2020 out of a labor of love from Archana Ramamoorthy and WiCyS staff ❤️ Since my first cohort in 2020, I've adored being a part of this thriving professional development opportunity of stepping into the space of mentorship. Mentorship is a leadership skill that needs to be exercised and challenged to help yourself and others navigate crucial conversations and challenging scenarios... and to grow professionally (and personally). It's also a place to have a unique network of championing and celebrating one another. No two cohorts I've had in the past three years have been alike. What's interesting is that we know those who have a mentor are FIVE times more likely to get promoted... but DID YOU KNOW that being a mentor makes you SIX times more likely to be promoted? And what's great is that the WiCyS program helps get you there. The curriculum is designed to help "mentor the mentor" ~ we provide mentoring resources, webinars and support throughout the nine-month program. Thanks to the commitment and hard work of dear Karen N. and Deborah Kariuki, we continue to enhance this program each year! Being devoted to mentoring others helps develop a better version of you. Would love for you to join me as a mentor in this '24-'25 cohort ❤️ Enrollment only opens up one time a year: https://lnkd.in/gyfnt8Qe #womenincybersecurity #womeincyber #womenintechnology #womenintech #cyberjobs #mentoring #mentee #inclusionandbelonging #SeeHerAsEqual

Are you ready to be a cybersecurity rockstar? Have you ever considered a career in this exciting field, but felt lost on where to start? This is your sign! You don't need years of experience to make a difference. Philippa Burgess, a total inspiration and Google Woman Techmaker Ambassador, is here to show you the way. Join us in a virtual round of applause for Philippa Burgess our next Edutainer preparing to lead a channel on @SkillVill ! She's bringing her skills based superpowers to help others fill the skills gap in cyber security. Burgess herself has an incredible journey. From urban planning to data science, she's never been afraid to explore new fields. Now, she's on a mission to empower other women to do the same, especially in cybersecurity. Did you know there's a huge gap in this industry? Women and minorities with the skills are getting shut out of entry-level jobs. That's why Burgess created a phenomenal mentorship program – designed specifically for women and minorities like you! This program is all about giving you the tools and confidence to launch your cybersecurity career. Whether you want to learn from social media content, join group discussions, or get one-on-one mentorship, there's a way for you to get involved. Here's the most important takeaway: You are enough. Your unique background and skills are exactly what the cybersecurity field needs. Don't be discouraged by rejection – keep applying, keep learning, and Burgess's program will be your cheerleader every step of the way. So, are you ready to join the ranks of incredible women making a difference in cybersecurity? This is your chance to step into your power and build a fulfilling career. Take inspiration from Burgess, embrace your skills, and get involved! https://lnkd.in/gXe8TJb9 #skillsrevolution #SkillVill #Skills #cybersecuritycareers #womenincyber #closethecybersecuritygap #cybersecurityawareness #infosec #cybersecuritymentor #womenintechmentorship #careeradvice #womenwhocode #womenempowerment

Apply to be a mentor or be paired with one. Either way it's a rewarding experience for both! As Lynn Dohm stated, mentorship is so critical to professional growth. It's also, a foundational pillar to the WiCyS Organization!

What kind of mentor do you need if you are in a senior role or are in the middle or later part of your career? Do you need one? You have years of experience. You've mentored those junior to you. Yet, you don't know it all or you have encountered something new to you. A peer mentor could prove valuable. How do you find the right mentor for you at this point in your career? Share your thoughts and please let people know if you'd be interested in a peer mentor or have had success with one or haven't benefitted when you did. #cybersecurity #leadership #mentor #riskmanagement

Seattle University has just launched the new Online MS in Cybersecurity Leadership. If you are eager to up your leadership skills and prepare for a career as a cybersecurity professional, check out this new program.

Many of us saw this coming tide a long time ago, along with many other verticals. Education is an easy target for many reasons, one in particular focuses on leadership and having the talent to mitigate the digital battleground. EDU needs IT leadership at the table when making decisions, even when technology is not the topic. As said earlier, there are many factors that are plaguing the EDU space and this one is not going away. Hang on! It is going to be a bumpy ride. https://lnkd.in/gR7KucHx

New beginnings open doors for avenues to develop essential skills for a promising future, and our Emerging Leader Program is the place to jump-start #cybersecurity careers. 💼 We aim to nurture newcomers aspiring to shape their leadership abilities and find their passions for a promising future. Read how the program has shaped our Emerging Leaders and get started. https://bit.ly/3Y5kyLY

How can you get involved in ensuring people of color have a seat at the table in the #security industry? That's what we're talking about today on the HiveWatch blog. In this article, we chat with Meta's Bobby Louissaint and RILA's Khristopher Hamlin about their work as part of the International Organization of Black Security Executives (IOBSE), how organizations can best support their employees, and the importance of #mentorship. Read the full discussion here: https://hubs.ly/Q02lNjhK0 #BlackHistoryMonth #mentoring #securityindustry #partnership

🏈 What do flag football and cybersecurity have in common? More than you’d think! This past season, I had the privilege of volunteering as a coach for a group of 4-6-year-olds, and it’s been a season full of flag pulls, high fives, and water breaks! 💦Coaching these young athletes taught me lessons about leadership, teamwork, and communication that tie into both my 10 years in the Army and my journey in cybersecurity. Working closely with parents, who were just as eager as the kids, added an extra layer of collaboration. Here’s how it all came together:Clear Communication 🗣️: Whether explaining a play to kids or coordinating with parents, communication is key. Working with parents reinforced how important it is to set expectations and keep everyone in the loop—essential in both football and cybersecurity. Learning to Lead 🧑🏫: My Army background gave me leadership skills, but coaching kids taught me the value of patience and guidance. Similarly, working with parents helped refine how I ensure everyone feels involved, a key aspect in cybersecurity teamwork. Mentorship 🎓: Coaching kids, like cybersecurity, means breaking down complex concepts. Helping parents support their kids was a reminder that mentorship is all about patience and clarity. Problem Solving Under Pressure 🧩: Staying calm under pressure is something I learned in the Army, and this season helped me sharpen that skill, both on the field and with the parents. Building Relationships 🤝: Collaborating with parents made the season even more rewarding, similar to building trust with colleagues in cybersecurity. Communication and mutual respect are key in both fields.This season showed me that leadership, communication, and teamwork extend far beyond the field. Whether collaborating with parents or cybersecurity teams, these skills continue to shape my growth as a leader. Here’s to the next generation of flag football stars—and future cybersecurity pros! 💪 #LeadershipDevelopment #Cybersecurity #Coaching #Teamwork #ArmyVeteran #SoftSkills #Mentorship #ProblemSolving #Volunteering #FlagFootball #CyberResilience #TeamCollaboration #CyberSkills #CommunityLeadership #TeamCulture #CollaborationInAction #I9football