Cy Says Blog & Podcast

Sara's journey into cybersecurity began as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many others, Sara found herself in a difficult position when her school mandated in-person learning. She needed to find a new job that would allow her to care for her daughter with special needs while also providing a fulfilling career. Fortunately, Sara's passion for continuous learning and her desire to keep moving forward propelled her into the world of cybersecurity.

With a background in teaching, Sara had many skills that could be transferred to the cybersecurity industry. As a teacher, Sara learned how to communicate effectively, work under pressure, and manage her time efficiently. She also had a keen understanding of how to break down complex concepts into more accessible pieces, which proved to be an invaluable skill in the field of cybersecurity.

After attending a training seminar, Sara was inspired by a speech given by our LevelUp coordinator. The coordinator spoke about the numerous career opportunities in cybersecurity, which opened Sara's eyes to the possibilities that lay ahead. She enrolled in our LevelUp Training program, where she learned valuable skills such as risk management, compliance, and information security. With CyberUp's support, Sara landed a remote role performing compliance duties that allowed her to continue caring for her daughter.

Sara's success in cybersecurity did not come easily, as she had to balance her studies with her family obligations. Despite the challenges, Sara remained determined to succeed and stay active. She would go biking or running whenever she could and subscribed to different tech wikis, radio stations, and social media feeds to stay up-to-date with cybersecurity news.
                                                                                                                                                                   

One of the things Sara appreciated most about her experience with CyberUp was the professional development opportunities. She participated in the Monthly Mentor Meetups, which allowed her to network with other professionals in the field. She also valued the monthly check-ins with our apprenticeship coordinator, who provided guidance and support throughout her journey.

Looking ahead, Sara has set her sights on earning her Google IT certification and AWS certification, as well as being promoted from associate to analyst. She knows that cybersecurity is a sink-or-swim field, but she remains steadfast in her determination to succeed. Sara's mantra, "Just keep swimming," serves as a reminder that persistence and continuous learning are critical to achieving success in any field.

Sara's journey into cybersecurity is a testament to the power of determination and continuous learning. Her passion for staying active and her desire to better herself both personally and professionally allowed her to transition into a new career successfully. With the support of CyberUp, Sara was able to overcome the challenges and build a bright future for herself and her family.

Traditional Hire vs Apprenticeship

Have you noticed how challenging it is to find new employees in the cybersecurity industry lately? It seems like we're constantly playing catch-up with the number of people needed. As of this morning, May 11, 2023, there are over 750,000 cybersecurity job openings listed on cyberseek.org, and that number continues to grow. It's a real struggle!

To compound the issue, hiring new employees through traditional methods can be prohibitively expensive, and the costs only rise as the demand for talent increases. However, there may be alternative approaches worth exploring. Have you ever heard of apprenticeships as a potential solution to our hiring problems? Let's delve into that and examine the expenses associated with hiring new employees.

The Cost of Traditional Hires

Traditional hiring involves posting job advertisements, receiving applications, conducting interviews, and selecting candidates. This process can be quite costly, requiring businesses to invest time and money in various tasks, including:

• Job Advertisements: Companies must pay to post job advertisements on job sites or other platforms, and the advertising costs can vary based on the location and type of job.

• Recruiting Costs: Companies may also incur expenses associated with recruiting, such as hiring a recruiter or covering the costs of job fairs or other recruitment events.

• Screening and Interviewing Costs: Once the applications are received, companies must sift through them and conduct interviews with candidates. This process can be time-consuming and expensive, particularly if the company needs to cover travel expenses for candidates coming from out of town.

• Onboarding and Training Costs: Once a candidate is selected, the company must invest resources in onboarding and training the new employee.

The cumulative costs associated with traditional hiring methods can quickly reach $20K-$30K, or if you're fortunate enough to fill the position within a month of posting the job, around $16,999, as reported by James Elliot. Examining the cost breakdown is crucial.

The Cost of Apprenticeships

On the other hand, apprenticeships offer a cost-effective option for businesses. Apprenticeships involve hiring individuals with a work history and a passion for a new trade. Some of the benefits of apprenticeships include:

• No Recruitment Costs: Companies do not need to pay for job advertisements or recruiters when hiring an apprentice.

• No Screening Costs: Apprentices are already qualified and screened, saving the company time and money.

• Reduced Onboarding and Training Costs: Apprenticeships provide on-the-job training, allowing the apprentice to learn while performing the job.

• A More Skilled Workforce: Apprenticeships provide a structured learning environment that helps the apprentice develop job-specific skills and knowledge. This translates into a more skilled employee who can bring greater value to the company.

Why Apprenticeships are the Better Option

In addition to the cost savings associated with apprenticeships, there are other compelling reasons why they outshine traditional hires. Consider the following:

• Reduced Turnover: Apprenticeships provide apprentices with a structured learning environment and a clear career path, leading to increased job satisfaction and reduced turnover. According to a study mentioned in Apprenticeship USA, the average retention rate for apprentices is an impressive 93%.

• Better Cultural Fit: Since apprenticeships introduce individuals to the field, it allows for the cultivation of a well-aligned employee who fits seamlessly into your work environment. This, in turn, helps minimize conflicts in the workplace and fosters a positive team dynamic.

• A More Diverse Workforce: Apprenticeships play a crucial role in promoting workforce diversity by offering opportunities to individuals who may lack a traditional educational background or who come from underrepresented groups. By embracing apprenticeships, companies can tap into a broader talent pool and foster an inclusive work environment.

Conclusion

While traditional hires may initially appear more familiar and straightforward, the cost of employee acquisition can be exorbitant. Conversely, apprenticeships provide a cost-effective and invaluable alternative. By embracing apprenticeship programs, companies can create a workforce that is both highly skilled and diverse, effectively reducing turnover while providing a clear career trajectory for their employees.

Pratik's journey into the world of cybersecurity was nothing short of a masterpiece, cooked to perfection with the finest ingredients of his experiences and passions. Like a seasoned chef, he had honed his skills in the culinary arts, mastering the art of creativity, collaboration, and working under pressure. Little did he know that these skills would prove to be the secret sauce of his success in the cybersecurity industry.
 
Pratik's service as a chef in the United States Army went beyond providing basic needs for his fellow troops - he was the driving force behind his unit's morale. His dedication to the service of others and ambition to make a difference led him to the dynamic world of cybersecurity, where the pace was fast and the opportunities were endless. After exploring various options, Pratik discovered CyberUp, a training program that teamed up with him to take his skills to the next level.
 
The CyberUp team welcomed Pratik with open arms, offering him support and guidance throughout the training process. As he delved into the world of cybersecurity, he found himself overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information he had to absorb. But like a true cybersecurity professional, Pratik devised a strategy - he turned to podcasts and YouTube videos to better understand complex cyber topics. He even started to incorporate this newfound hobby into his daily routine, much like his love for cooking.
                                                                                                                                                                   

After completing the LevelUp Training, Pratik faced the daunting task of transitioning out of the military. With CyberUp by his side, he was well-prepared to take on this challenge. The team helped him translate his military experience into civilian terms and provided him with mock interviews and resume reviews to ensure his success in the job market.
 
Centene saw the potential in Pratik and hired him as an apprentice. Thriving in a fast-paced environment, Pratik's passion and dedication to learning and working hard made him a valuable asset to the team. Throughout his apprenticeship journey, CyberUp never left his side. They provided mentorship and guidance, checking in with him monthly to ensure his success.
 
Looking toward the future, Pratik's goal is to obtain a Master's Degree in Digital Forensics. With CyberUp as his foundation, he knows that the possibilities are endless. He is grateful for the lifelong friends he made along the way and credits his success to the skills he learned as a chef. As he imparts his wisdom to future candidates, Pratik reminds us that time management is key - just like a good chef, one must stay focused and vigilant to succeed in the world of cybersecurity.

 Austin is a trailblazer in his family, breaking barriers and achieving remarkable accomplishments. He proudly holds the distinction of being the first member to earn a college degree, and to serve in the military, where he made notable strides toward a Ph.D. Recently, he's been working on his dissertation on Network Security, and his passion for the topic was apparent when he shared it with our LevelUp team.

Since the moment Austin was referred to CyberUp, he showed great enthusiasm. Austin was especially thrilled to have the opportunity to earn an additional certification through the Related Training Instruction portion of his LevelUp Apprenticeship. He opted to pursue a Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) certification and found the virtual classroom and self-learning environment highly enjoyable and flexible. Although he appreciated the independent study process, he found great value in having a mentor to support him through the program. Austin was so grateful for this experience that he expressed a desire to volunteer as a mentor to incoming candidates in the future.                                                                                                                                                                     

Throughout his journey as an apprentice for Centene, Austin has found the support of the CyberUp team to be invaluable. He thoroughly enjoyed connecting with other new hires and found that having a close-knit network behind him instilled him with the motivation to push himself further. Today, he remains excited about paying forward the kindness and support he received, and he credits CyberUp with being the driving force behind his success.

"Be a leader, not a follower" were the words that echoed Malik's passion. Armed with that motivational phrase, Malik constantly looked for ways to better himself. Knowing cybersecurity would always be an in-demand field was the impetus for Malik's journey. And, having a knack for problem-solving and analytical thinking made him a great candidate for cyber.

Malik's original aspiration was in the world of professional sports. As a college athlete, he channeled his passion for basketball into a position as a shoe store manager. Due to unforeseeable circumstances, he had to abandon his path toward playing professional sports. During this time, Malik considered engineering and information technology as potential majors at Maryville University. Ultimately, he opted for cybersecurity due to its parallels with team-building, an integral part of his basketball experience. Malik discovered CyberUp through a trusted source - a colleague who recognized his potential for a career in cybersecurity. Upon meeting with CyberUp's executive director, Tony Bryan, Malik's interest in the field was piqued. 

Through his pursuit of a master's degree at Maryville University, Malik found CyberUp was a valuable resource in supplementing his cybersecurity education. CyberUp provided him with a seamless transition into a career in cybersecurity, fortified by strong professional relationships to turn to for assistance. Malik notes that the opportunity to learn something new every day, a hallmark of the cybersecurity field, is one of his favorite aspects of the job.

Malik's apprenticeship with Centene through CyberUp paved the way for a full-time role as a systems engineer at the company. From his starting position as a security analyst to his current role, CyberUp played a pivotal role in guiding Malik toward a successful cybersecurity career. In Malik's own words, CyberUp positioned him for an auspicious entry into the cybersecurity field.

The eco-system for cyber needs to be revamped for the future according to Eric Dunker Ph.D., Vice President of Workforce and Economic Development at Arapahoe Community College. Partnerships and pathways must be the new school approach. Colorado's bipartisan support of apprenticeship has propelled partnerships in the tech space with region-wide incentives. It's not a notion of either apprenticeship or college but how both can work in tandem.

When deciding on a new hire your HR has to be realistic about qualifications for the role. They also have to find the best ratio of no pedigree but experienced workers (Bulldogs) to hyper-specialized professionals (Brain surgeons). Shorten that fantasy laundry list of qualifications to essential skills because those that meet the fantasy requirement (Unicorns) have jobs already. Don't forget bulldogs often become brain surgeons.