Breaking into Cyber: Kiera Farrell on Growth, Networking & Early-Career Lessons

Episode SummaryKiera Farrell, Cyber Analyst at David Jones, shares her journey from studying a Bachelor of Cybersecurity to landing a role in cybersecurity operations. She reflects on the challenges of breaking into the industry, the lessons learned from risk management, and the importance of networking in career growth. Kiera and Cole discuss the value of stepping outside your comfort zone, the evolving landscape of cybersecurity degrees, and what hiring managers can do to attract and retain young talent. If you're an aspiring cybersecurity professional or a leader looking to support early-career hires, this episode is packed with insights.Timestamps2:00 – Kiera’s journey: From Bachelor of Cybersecurity to David Jones5:00 – What studying cybersecurity is really like8:10 – The surprising importance of risk management12:00 – Ethical hacking & the role of security education16:30 – The grad job hunt: what works, what doesn’t19:45 – The power of stepping out of your comfort zone21:30 – Building a strong professional network23:50 – What makes an employer attractive for graduates?26:40 – How mentorship accelerates career growth30:35 – Advice for students and early-career professionalsMentioned in this episode:Call for FeedbackThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrpSpotify Ad Analytics - https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/ad-analytics-privacy-policy/