Chapter 9: Trusting the Process

As we conclude this book, Gerald and Jax want to leave you with some final thoughts on goal setting, mentorship, and networking. This final chapter will explain the importance of goalsetting and why goals are critical for career growth. We will explain the importance of mentorship and networking and how both can help with personal and professional growth.

We will be covering the following topics in this chapter:

• Understanding the SMART goalsetting framework
• Learning about the mentor and mentee relationship
• Exploring different ways to network with impact

Understanding the SMART goalsetting framework

Have you ever felt like you are working hard but spinning your wheels? That you have big dreams but cannot seem to reach them, no matter what you do or how hard you try? Goals are the steps to dreams, and they are critical for long-term and sustainable success. This section will help you take a step back and refine your goals by developing, prioritizing, and being specific. In this section, we will review the SMART goalsetting framework to provide guidance on how to create personalized goals to fit your career desires.

Proper goalsetting addresses time-sensitive and important goals first, then moves downward to other goals that are still important to your overall vision.

The following diagram provides a visual depiction of this framework:

Figure 9.1 – SMART framework information graph

SMART is a mnemonic acronym that stands for the following:

• Specific (what, who, where, and why)
• Measurable...

Learning about the mentor and mentee relationship

The concept of mentoring has such incredible value, especially within the information security community. It's a practical means for sharing knowledge and networking with like-minded professionals. These relationships can have various forms and lifespans, but there are techniques you can employ to find and maximize their utility.

First, let's explain the difference between a mentor and mentee. Everybody was a beginner at some point in any skill. Experienced people have acquired knowledge and can share it with those that do not have it yet. They can mentor a mentee to transition them from knowing nothing on a topic or skill to becoming proficient. 

"Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it" is a famous quote by Winston Churchill and very applicable here. A mentor can guide a mentee to avoid pitfalls and mistakes the mentor has already made. Hopefully, you can see the immense value as...

Exploring different ways to network with impact

I read a book called Never Eat Alone by author Keith Ferrazzi, and there was a description in this book that stuck with me. The book is based around using your time wisely while still finding time to network. The author explains that there are three ways of launching a successful business, as follows:

• You have a lot of wealth, which affords you the ability to finance your company.
• You are an expert in a specific field, such as an attorney or doctor.
• You have a healthy network that comprises wealthy influential people who trust you and would be willing to invest in your business.

I pondered about which one of these would be the most realistic for me to accomplish in the shortest period. I decided to focus on number three and develop a strong and influential network.

Building followers is different than building a network. In the Chapter 6, Time to Brand Yourself – Not the Burning Type, we talked about...

Summary

As we come to the end of this book, we want to remind you that the cybersecurity field is very diverse. In this chapter, we provided you with the final tools for your toolkit so that you can be as successful as possible.

Having a clear vision of your achievable and supportive goals is critical for success. If you don't have one yet, find a mentor. The mentor/mentee relationships in this industry are vital. It's the backbone of growth. Finally, build your family and your network. Consider your network a reflection of your morals and desires.

At this point, you should have a clearer picture of cybersecurity, the different career paths available, and how to create and set goals. We encourage you to take a few minutes and write down where you believe your skills and passion best fit within the industry. Create goals around that career path and begin taking the steps to reach your dream. If you have questions or need additional guidance, please reach out to any...