Everybody Needs Somebody!

It’s time to pay it forward!

Introspecting always doesn’t come naturally in this super busy world. At least for me! Hence, during COVID pandemic I had one too many self-realizations.

One of them was this quintessential question that moved me not just to start painting but to get better at it during the past 18 months, and eventually selling them to benefit the community.

Personally, it has been quite a journey for me not just in Cybersecurity but in the corporate world as a whole. Coming from a very humble background, it’s been 14 years for me as a professional woman. Starting off was not easy as I was unsure what worked for me and simply being overwhelmed with the vast variety of work that IT world had to offer.

Well, the first job chose me but later on I made some pretty tough choices to establish myself in the world of Cybersecurity.

A combination of right career moves, certifications, self-study, and a curiosity driven awareness, helped me take those crucial decisions. However, all of this was not possible if I wouldn’t have met the right mentors at work and even in personal space. While women frequently struggle to balance personal and professional front, it was no different for me. I have had the privilege of being a mentee to the most wonderful people that helped me not just progress my career but also to guide me on things that I was most passionate about.

As they say, one good turn deserves another. I deeply connect to the principle of “pay it forward”.

With this in mind, I recently successfully mentored a professional woman who was struggling to enter in the Cybersecurity workspace post career break. I also read a lot about how Cybersecurity has a severe shortage of skills and researched some eye-opening statistics about lack of women in this quintessential space of Information Security.

And hence, on this International Mentorship Day 17th January, I am ecstatic about launching my own Medium blog space where I share inspiring stories of mentors and mentees for Women in Cybersecurity.

Mentoring is a great opportunity to deliver a rewarding and potentially life-changing experience for both the mentor and the mentee.

It is one of the most important things a person can do, to enhance their career and professional life. It takes time and commitment, but it is well worth the effort. Whether you are the mentor or the mentee, it’s a win-win for both of you.

If you have an inspirational story for a Women in Cybersecurity, as a mentor or mentee, please DM me to share your story.

References:

My first Medium Blog: Global Skills Shortage in Cybersecurity — 2022 :https://protegeforcybersecurity.medium.com/global-skills-shortage-in-cybersecurity-2022-6516c8c437fd