A Change Here and Excitement Over There

I’ve been working with a partner on a new project for a while now. I gave it a little mention in a recent post:

Another big Ikigai piece for me is that I really enjoy helping people. I try to do that whenever I can in the course of everyday life, in any small way that presents itself. I’ve also recognized an area that is a big Yes for both of these questions:

• What brings me joy in life?

• Does any of that cross over with anything that I think I’m good at?

That is mentoring. Mentoring people who want to get into or advance a career in cybersecurity. It’s not at the curing cancer level of helping, but it’s an area where I know I have helped people and I know that it always something I enjoy doing.

I’m excited that I have a new project in that area that is coming soon. Maybe even very soon.

I’ve lived in Texas for almost 25 years now, so I feel like I’m allowed to say this (at least the first word):

Y’all! I’m excited.

From 2021 to 2024 I did 5 course runs as a Subject Matter Expert / Learning Facilitator on an MIT Pro Cybersecurity course for adult students from all over the world who wanted to get into or get further in a career in cybersecurity. I was meant to bring real world experience and insight to the role.

That role was a blast. I loved it, found it hugely rewarding. I only left it because it was a side gig for me and the details of how to be a contractor on it changed in a way that made it not viable for me. I’ve spent time looking for a similar role, and just not found anything close.

So, it’s time to give it a shot on my own. Well, not on my own - with a great partner, so on our own. Here’s what that looks like:

Cyber Sherpas substack

Here’s the first post over there:

Welcome to the Cyber Sherpas

I will be writing here less often going forward. Probably one post per week rather than two. I’ll cover all the same topics I’ve been writing on here, except cybersecurity - which will be the single topic over at Cyber Sherpas.

I hope some of you may be interested in taking a look at Cyber Sherpas, or sharing it with any of your friends who might be interested in getting into cybersecurity.