The Unexpected Road to Success: My Personal Adventure in Information Security

Have you ever heard of the saying, "The road less travelled can sometimes be the most rewarding"? Well, that's the story of my life. As an immigrant with extensive IT and a big-time Doctorate in Information Systems, I found myself navigating the choppy waters of Canada's job market, which turned out to be quite an adventure.

Landing in Canada, I was excited, hopeful, and full of dreams, but reality had its own plan. The biggest twist? Settlement programs weren’t much help for professionals like me, and I ended up working as an IT Specialist, a job that didn’t quite match my experience level or qualifications. But hey, the bills needed paying, and I was game for the challenge!

One day, a call from a good friend changed everything. He saw the 'Information Security Consultant' in me before I did and pointed me in the right direction. That conversation was a game-changer—it was as if a bulb lit up, and I realized how I could channel all my knowledge and experience into a new path. 

From the early days fixing systems and networks, to specializing in IT programs, and eventually managing innovations, I was unknowingly gathering a toolkit for my future self. All those sleepless nights grappling with endpoint security, responding to incidents, data protection, IAM, and vulnerability management were actually moulding me into an Information Security pro.

My journey didn’t stop there. As I dug deeper into roles that dealt with GDPR and other critical aspects of data protection (PCI-DSS, CCPA), I realized how much I enjoyed unravelling the complexities of cybersecurity. Each role was like a piece of a jigsaw puzzle, and slowly but surely, the picture was coming together.

Then came the grand turning point - the IT and Cybersecurity Program Management Consultant role. Here, I got to mix and stir all my experiences into one big pot, dealing with application security, vulnerability management, data protection, and the many compliance regulations out there.

Fast forward to today, I’m living the dream, working as an Information Security Management Consultant, helping Fortune 500 companies solve their cybersecurity puzzles. And to think, all this started with one simple yet impactful phone call!

My tale is a shout-out to all the skilled immigrants out there - don’t be disheartened by the initial hurdles. Reach out, connect, and seek guidance. Every experience, every struggle, is a step forward, a lesson learned. Your start doesn’t define your end, and with the right support, you too can carve your niche, be it in information security or any field you choose!