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The cybersecurity field is experiencing tremendous growth.ÌýTheÌýÌý(BLS) estimates a 31 percent growth in information security jobs from 2019 to 2029.ÌýOn the other side,ÌýÌýisÌýalsoÌýon the rise,Ìýleading to a heightened demandÌýforÌýcybersecurity professionals.ÌýMaking the leapÌýto a career inÌýcybersecurity requiresÌýa strategy that incorporates your transferrable skills, background and experience.ÌýÌýBelow areÌýfive stepsÌýtoÌýhelpÌýmake your transition a smooth one:ÌýÌýÌý

Choose a Career PathÌýÌýÌýÌý
The cybersecurityÌýindustryÌýoffers a range ofÌý, butÌýthereÌýare foundational skillsÌýyouÌýwillÌýneedÌýto perform most of these roles.ÌýThese skills include:Ìý

• Knowledge of common cyberattacksÌý
• Risk analysisÌý
• Managing risk through using controlsÌý
• Compliance regulations and how they workÌý
• Knowing how to explain risk and compliance in business termsÌý

Get TrainedÌýÌý
Once you establishÌýyourÌýfoundational skills, you will then build more specific skills for your chosen career path through more concentrated training—fromÌýindustry training classesÌýandÌýcyber bootcamps,Ìýto collegeÌýcourses,Ìýand degreeÌýand certificateÌýprograms. If you work for the federal government orÌýareÌýa veteran,Ìýconsider theÌý),Ìýa free online, on-demand cybersecurity training system.Ìý

Expand YourÌýNetworkÌý
Networking can help you get hired and grow your career. Ìý80ÌýpercentÌýof professionals consider networking to be important to career success. A goodÌýavenue forÌýnetworkingÌýis toÌýattendÌýconferences as well asÌýevents online and in-person to help you build connections with other cybersecurity professionals.ÌýÌý

Be willing to get your hands dirty.ÌýÌý
Now that you’ve identified your path and have acquired your skills, completeÌýhands-on activitiesÌýtoÌýhelp you applyÌývariousÌýconceptsÌýtoÌýfurtherÌýbuildÌýyourÌýbase of technical knowledge. Ìýare step-by-step exercises thatÌýallow youÌýto dig deeper intoÌýaÌýtopic.ÌýAlsoÌýbeÌýavailable toÌýhelp complete projects for family and friends.ÌýBe available to assist those around youÌýwhomÌýmay not be tech savvy with setting up their laptop, mobile phone, troubleshoot any software/hardware issues.ÌýÌýÌý

Consider Entry-Level RolesÌý
Some professionals start their cybersecurity careers in IT before moving on toÌýÌýcybersecurity analyst positions. IT positions can be a good first step into cybersecurity,ÌýasÌýthey include IT Technician and Desktop Support roles, where you are dealing with software and hardware support. Help Desk or Service Desk positions require troubleshooting issues with clients and can also be a good place to begin your tech careerÌýand refine some of your skills.Ìý

The thought of launching a cybersecurity career may seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Follow these steps, andÌýkeep in mindÌýyourÌýUMGC Career Services isÌýalwaysÌýavailable to help you plan and achieve career success.ÌýÌýwith a UMGC Career Advising Specialist.ÌýÌý

RhodaÌýSmackumÌýis aÌýmanager inÌýCareer Services at University of MarylandÌýGlobal Campus. She has approximately 28,000 hours of work experience in the field of career development. Ms.ÌýSmackumÌýenjoys working collaboratively, in partnership with students and alumni to identify career issues, match values with career choices and obtain meaningful work. She holds a Master of Arts degree from Bowie State University and a Bachelor of General Studies degree from the University of Maryland College Park. She is a Certified Master of Career Services (CMCS) and an Associate Certified Career Coach.