#CareerOpportunity #CareerAdvice #JobGrowth
🤔 Not sure if you should take the new opportunity at your company? Let’s break it down and weigh the pros and cons to help you make an informed decision. Here’s everything you need to consider before making a choice:
1. Evaluate the job description and responsibilities
– Take a closer look at the job description and think about how the role aligns with your career goals. Consider the skills and experiences you will gain from this new opportunity and how they relate to your long-term aspirations in cybersecurity.
2. Explore the potential for career growth
– Consider the potential for advancement within the company if you were to take on this new role. Will it open doors for you in the future? Is there a clear path to progression, or could this be a stepping stone towards a career in cybersecurity?
3. Research the field of quality assurance (QA)
– Look into the field of quality assurance (QA) and its relevance to cybersecurity. Are there transferable skills and knowledge that you can gain from QA that will benefit your future career in cybersecurity?
4. Seek advice from professionals in the cybersecurity industry
– Reach out to professionals currently working in cybersecurity and get their insights on how a role in QA could potentially lead to a career in cybersecurity. They may have valuable advice and personal experiences to share with you.
5. Consider the impact on your current skill set
– Think about how the skills and experiences you have gained in your current role in help desk will complement the responsibilities of the new opportunity in QA. Will you be able to leverage your existing skills while acquiring new ones?
6. Plan for further education and certifications
– Given that you will be completing your bachelor’s degree in 2024, consider how this new role could support your educational and certification goals in cybersecurity. Will it provide relevant experience that can be advantageous for your future endeavors in cybersecurity?
7. Negotiate the salary and benefits
– Before making a decision, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of the compensation package and benefits associated with the new role. Don’t hesitate to negotiate and ensure that the offer aligns with your value and the market standards.
8. Factor in your personal and professional goals
– Take into account your personal and professional aspirations. Consider how this opportunity fits into your overall career plan and whether it brings you closer to your desired outcome in cybersecurity.
In conclusion, while the decision is ultimately yours to make, it’s important to approach this opportunity with a thoughtful and strategic mindset. Consider the long-term implications and assess how this new role can contribute to your aspirations in cybersecurity. Remember, every experience and skill gained along the way can shape your career trajectory. Good luck! 🚀
Without more details, all I can say is that QA can absolutely be a path into Infosec.
The first thing I’d ask yourself is if this is worse than what you’re currently doing – IMO it’s not.
The one drawback could be it could be “new’ enough to you that it distracts you for a good bit from going into cyber.
The last thing is pay, the pay needs to offset the amount of effort you’re going to have to spend to learn this new skill stack. If they are going to pay you $2 more an hour despite this having the potential to consume a bunch of your energy/time, not worth.
There is no “one true path” to infosec in my experience. However, QA testing web apps presents a lot of opportunities to incorporate elements of cybersecurity into the testing. This is good both for personal education and cybersecurity relevant/related work experience.
It’s definitely a good idea to take this job.
Application security is one of the hottest areas in information security right now, and web based testing of applications is also badly needed by tech and tech service companies. I think this could be a great back door into the infosec industry for you, congrats on this success!