Terms like ‘Big Resignation’, ‘Big Quit’, and ‘Great Reshuffle’ are commonplace on social channels; a great deal has been discussed and written about around the recent movement of employees.
The mass exodus is a post-pandemic trend primarily driven by job dissatisfaction; the most common reasons cited are wage stagnation compounded by the rising cost of living, lack of opportunity for advancement, and inflexible hybrid or remote working options. Whatever the reason, it is clear that many people are taking stock, assuming control, and making adjustments that suit their desired work-life balance.
The theory is excellent, but what if you’re in a job that you genuinely don’t enjoy any longer but are not qualified to do much else? Many people would like to make career changes, but they need to maintain the salary levels to which they’ve become accustomed. Retraining and starting at the bottom is not a viable option. But is there an option?
One of the best ways to make a career change that can maintain your lifestyle whilst providing the challenge you crave is to look at new and emerging sectors; cyber undoubtedly falls into this category, and the demand for qualified people grows daily. What’s more, skilled people working in cyber can command good money and, in many cases, work for themselves and do the hours that suit them.
It may seem that your current role is a million miles from a role in cyber, but there are many facets to the work, and more than likely, there will be an area that lends itself to your experience and skillset; Cyber Security Technician, Ethical Hacker, Network Defender, and Digital Forensics Specialist are all job titles you will see with increasing regularity in the future, and you’d be surprised at how your current skills and experience can be adapted to such roles.
Indeed, some of the most senior people in cyber security did not set out in cyber security. For example, in episode 12 of CyberVersed, the podcast published by the National Cyber Resilience Centre Group, Microsoft’s Chief Security Advisor, Lesley Kipling, and Chief Security Advisor – UK Partners, Jonathan Davies, both explain they started their working life doing entirely different jobs. In Jonathan’s case, he began as an engineer in electrical electronics before moving into science metallurgy and then into cyber security. Both go to great lengths to encourage everyone to explore a cyber career.
Much closer to home, team members here at ID Cyber Training have come into cyber from other careers. Gary and Ahmed both worked in IT before moving into cyber security. However, others are now following much more diverse paths; Steve was a personal trainer, Keven was an electrician, and Alice was an editor in educational publishing. So, almost anyone can explore cyber security as a career option.
You might also be surprised at how easily you can retrain and gain the qualifications that are increasing in demand. ID Cyber Training offers extensive training and certification, and many people attending these courses are doing so because they want a different career with better opportunities. Many who have completed their training now enjoy better pay, increased job satisfaction, and genuine appreciation. Still, the primary benefits are total control of their work-life balance and being part of a thriving and in-demand cyber community.