Tech Woke

Welcome to another episode of Tech Woke, the podcast where we dive deep into the journeys of individuals navigating their unique career paths. Today, we’re excited to bring you the inspiring story of Bishop Freeman. From managing the largest body shop in Madison to transitioning into the IT and government space, Bishop's career journey is nothing short of remarkable. He started his tech adventure by skipping the A+ certification and diving headfirst into a Network+ course, followed by relentless studying for the Security+ certification. But even with these credentials, Bishop faced an uphill battle in job hunting, applying for countless positions before finally landing a role that would pave the way for his future.

We'll explore how Bishop's early struggles, background in sports, and interest in mechanical engineering all shaped his path. Hear about his experiences in the automotive industry, his challenges breaking into IT, and the determination it took to secure a job despite setbacks like being let go and navigating the uncertainties brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. Plus, get insights into his academic journey, his initial dreams of becoming a fighter pilot, and the supportive network of friends that helped guide his career transition. Joining me today as we unpack Bishop's story—an inspiring narrative of resilience, determination, and the pursuit of success in the diverse world of IT. Stay tuned!

Sure, here's a comprehensive sequence of topics covered in the episode "From Athlete To Mac System Administrator" with sub-topic bullets below each primary topic:

### 1. Introduction to Bishop Freeman’s Certification Journey

- Skipping the A+ certification.

- Signing up for a $1,000 Network+ course.

- Completing an eight-week boot camp on Saturdays.

- Initial sluggish approach to studying for Security+ certification.

- Creating a study routine: waking up at 5 am, going to the gym.

- Passing the Security+ exam on first attempt in August.

### 2. Job Search Struggles and Realities

- Difficulty finding a job despite having Security+ certification.

- Applying for 30 jobs daily from August to November.

- Misconceptions about certifications guaranteeing job offers.

- Effort and determination needed to secure a job.

### 3. Academic and Early Career Background

- Academic journey over five years due to research and scholarships.

- Adding a secondary degree in integrated science and business.

- Transitioning into management in the automotive industry.

- Managing the largest body shop in Madison.

- Emphasis on projection, preparation, and business operations.

### 4. Living Situation and Supportive Environment

- Living with two friends, including a former college teammate.

- Supportive living environment aiding career transition.

### 5. IT and Government Space Experience

- 4-5 years of experience in IT and government sectors.

- Working with various operating systems including Macs, Linux, and Windows.

- Pursuing a flexible degree in cloud computer systems for career shift.

### 6. Background and Cultural Integration

- Growing up in Africa, predominantly speaking French.

- Moving to the US at 11 years old and adapting to a new culture.

- Integrating through sports like soccer, football, and track.

### 7. Introduction to Tech and Initial Programming Experience

- Connection with athletic background: Fred from Milwaukee.

- Fred’s influence in introducing Bishop to Code Academy.

- Bishop’s move to the DMV area in 2018.

- Advice on obtaining Security+ and Network+ certifications.

### 8. Employment Challenges and Resilience

- Being let go after company lost its biggest client.

- Eight months of help desk work before being let go.

- Forex trading and taking a break for travel.

- Securing a junior network admin position despite minimal knowledge.

- Challenges with job involving extensive travel.

### 9. Desperation and Breakthrough

- Struggling financially with only $1500 left.

- Applying for the job at Red Zone Technologies.

- Securing the job by impressing the manager with willingness to learn.

- Negotiating a salary and starting work in November 2019.

### 10. Impact of Covid-19 and Protests on Job Stability

- Covid-19 pandemic and its effects on the company.

- Protests leading to the burning down of their biggest client’s office in DC.

- Impact on business operations.

### 11. Early Interests in Engineering and Aviation

- Childhood curiosity and family expectations.

- Pursuing mechanical engineering in college.

- Involvement in football and academic scholarship.

- Five-year physics program with an engineering emphasis.

- Research on lithium niobates leading to business opportunities.

### 12. Business Ventures and Job Security Importance

- Initial business involvement in finance and income diversification.

- Exploring commercial use of crystals in aerospace and infrastructure.

- Importance of job security from medical and financial standpoints.

- Companies’ reluctance to invest in background checks without guarantees.

### 13. Transitional Jobs and Final Decision

- Numerous jobs involving extensive travel.

- Lack of fulfillment and interest in the traveling job.

- Brief stint as a network engineer and being fired due to poor performance.

- Receiving offers from a law firm and a government company.

- Choosing the government job for benefits like security clearance and health insurance.

Hashtags:

#cybersecurity #techwoke #Networkengineer

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Welcome to another episode of Tech Woke where we delve into the world of cybersecurity, career transitions, and personal journeys. Today's episode, "From Security Guard to Network Engineer," features an inspiring conversation between our hosts, Christopher Okpala and Kai. Kai shares her incredible journey from playing college basketball and working various retail and security jobs to becoming a successful network engineer. She discusses the pivotal moments that shaped her career, including her transition from an armed security position to securing her first role in network engineering after obtaining her CCNA certification and secret clearance. Join us as we explore the challenges, triumphs, and practical advice from Kai's experience in navigating the tech industry. Whether you're looking to break into cybersecurity or learn more about career growth in tech, this episode is packed with invaluable insights. Tune in and get inspired!

Key highlights:

### 1. Introductions and Backgrounds

Kai Smith, a Network Engineer, and Christopher Okpala discuss their backgrounds, how they met, and share their recent holiday experiences spent with family and friends. 

### 2. Early Career Journey

Kai pursued basketball through high school and college but left after a knee injury. Post-college, he juggled various retail jobs, including working at Foot Locker, as he figured out his next steps.

### 3. Shift to Security

Attracted by the armed security field through a friend's recommendation, Kai started an armed security job in 2007, which offered a significant pay increase and required only a public trust clearance.

### 4. Transition to Network Engineering

Realizing limited growth in security, Kai met an instructor who taught networking. He enrolled in a six-month CCNA course and earned his Cisco Certified Network Associate certification, stepping into network engineering.

### 5. Obtaining Security Clearance

Despite having a CCNA, Kai struggled to find work. A friend's advice led him to obtain a secret clearance, landing him a job within four months. The clearance opened new career opportunities and professional growth.

### 6. Role of a Network Engineer

Kai’s responsibilities include mitigating vulnerabilities in network devices, enabling remote system access, and configuring and upgrading network hardware. His role extends to building and maintaining network infrastructures like VPN and BGP.

### 7. Challenges and Learning

Initially, Kai struggled with security aspects despite his network skills. Obtaining the Security Plus certification improved his understanding. He emphasized the importance of self-learning, using resources like Google and YouTube.

### 8. Networking and Professional Growth

Networking helped Kai grow professionally, keeping him focused and driven. He continuously seeks new certifications, like AWS, to stay current in the field and enhance his marketability and skill set.

### 9. Job Opportunities and Salary Ranges

Kai recommends LinkedIn for job searches and suggests starting with security jobs to gain clearances. Entry-level salaries range from $78,000 to $90,000, mid-level from $95,000 to $115,000, and senior-level positions up to $150,000.

### 10. Future Goals

Kai aims to diversify his IT skills, possibly moving into system administration. He hopes to leverage his income to become his own brand, establishing a personal business and reducing dependency on employers.

### 11. Closing Remarks

Christopher thanks Kai for sharing his story and insights. Kai appreciates the opportunity to discuss his journey and experiences in network engineering with listeners.

Hashtags:

#cybersecurity #techwoke #Networkengineer

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Welcome back to another insightful episode of Tech Woke I'm your host, Christopher Okpala, and joining me, as always, is my co-host, Neisha. Today, we're diving into the journey of transitioning from an Office Administrator to a Senior Information System Security Officer, featuring none other than Neisha herself.

Neisha brings a wealth of experience in cybersecurity, growing her expertise from administrative beginnings to the complexities of compliance in cyber. Having grown up in Maryland, she attended Anne Arundel Community College and later Morgan State University, where an unexpected twist took her from nursing to health education.

Her path was far from linear. Starting with a help desk position, earning her Security Plus certification, and later exploring pen testing through internships, Neisha discovered her passion for cybersecurity compliance. Despite the challenges, including taking a pay cut and enduring the pressures of continuous monitoring and ATO documentation, she excelled and received well-deserved recognition and a pay raise.

In today's episode, we'll unpack Neisha's experiences, from the importance of organization and proactivity in managing multiple programs to handling the stress and rigors of cybersecurity. Whether you're considering a career transition or looking to advance in your current role, this episode will offer valuable insights and inspiration. So, let's get started!

Key highlights:

Neisha's Educational Background

Neisha grew up in Maryland, which influenced her educational choices. She began her higher education at Anne Arundel Community College and later transferred to Morgan State University, where she completed her degree in health education. Initially, she majored in nursing but switched due to a long waitlist for the program.

Career Transition and Early Jobs

After graduation, Neisha started her career in administrative roles, which laid the foundation for her professional journey. She later transitioned to an IT help desk position, which sparked her interest in the field of cybersecurity and provided her with essential technical experience.

Introduction to Cybersecurity

While working in the help desk role, Neisha obtained her Security Plus certification. Her interest in cybersecurity was further piqued by friends and mentors who highlighted the opportunities in cyber compliance. She also gained hands-on experience through an internship in penetration testing, where she learned about Kali Linux and basic hacking techniques.

Certifications and Security Work Entry

To further her career in cybersecurity, Neisha pursued the CAT certification, which is now known as Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC). This certification is essential for securing government information systems. Additionally, a part-time job as a security guard helped her gain the necessary clearance and sponsorship, opening up more job opportunities.

Benefits of Security Clearance

Holding a security clearance made Neisha more attractive to contractors and potential employers, as it significantly enhanced her job prospects. It also simplified the job application process, making it easier for her to secure positions in the cybersecurity field.

First ISSO Job in Quantico

Neisha's first role as an Information System Security Officer (ISO) was at Quantico, where she was responsible for continuous monitoring of IT systems to ensure their security. She worked within a collaborative team of 8-9 people and managed various parts of the Risk Management Framework (RMF). The pay range for this role was between 85-90k, with the possibility of reaching the low nineties.

Challenges and Importance of Organization

In this episode, Neisha discusses the challenges she faced as an ISO, emphasizing the importance of being organized and proactive. Effective ISSO work requires strong organizational skills, as it involves balancing and managing multiple cybersecurity programs simultaneously.

Transition to Current Role

Neisha took a pay cut to accept a job closer to home, prioritizing her proximity to family. She faced difficulties adapting to a new program, especially after a senior colleague left, which added to the pressure of meeting tight deadlines. Despite these challenges, she managed to navigate the new role successfully.

ATO Documentation Process

Neisha shares insights into the detailed and demanding process of preparing and submitting Authority to Operate (ATO) documentation. This process often required her to work overtime and manage a significant amount of stress to meet documentation and approval deadlines.

Pay and Career Advancement

During her 18-month ATO contract, Neisha accepted a temporary pay cut, earning between $90,000 to $95,000. However, her good performance led to a pay raise after the contract ended. She is now planning to pursue advanced cybersecurity certifications like CISSP or CISM next year to further enhance her career prospects.

This episode is a much watch for anybody thats inspiring to get into the cybersecurity field.

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#cybersecurity #techwoke #ATO #GRC

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✤ Hi everyone!!!

✤ Welcome to “Tech Woke” ✤

Osasu shares his inspiring journey from working in retail to becoming an Information System Security Officer. He began his career in the retail industry, where he gained valuable skills in customer service, communication, and problem-solving. Despite the challenges of the retail sector, Osasu's passion for technology and cybersecurity led him to pursue further education and training in information systems.

Through dedication and hard work, he transitioned into the field of information security. Osasu faced numerous challenges, including mastering complex technical concepts and gaining hands-on experience. However, his perseverance paid off as he earned certifications and gained practical experience through internships and entry-level positions.

Now, as an Information System Security Officer, Osasu plays a crucial role in protecting organizational data and systems from cyber threats. His journey from retail to cybersecurity exemplifies how determination and continuous learning can lead to a rewarding and impactful career change.

Don't forget to like the video, subscribe to the channel, and share your experiences in the comments. Let's embark on this journey together!

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These courses are 6 weeks long, virtual and are 8pm - 10:30pm Sun- Thur (Eastern). They record their classes In case you miss any. They are not partnered with tech companies, but they fix your resume & LinkedIn to industry standards and they assist you with finding jobs to apply to - in order to help set you up on interviews.

They also do interview coaching & provide really good interview cheat sheets. They’re about $5k, but I have a $300 discount link that you use with their sales too! The discount Is attached to the link automatically.

Careerist Link: 👉https://crst.co/TECHWOKE

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