I recently asked the following question on several Discord servers:

"What do people find the most frustrating about getting into or moving to the next step in their cybersecurity career?"

Here is a summary of responses:

1. Limited Value of Free Resources

• Lack of Depth and Structure: Free or low-cost learning resources often lack the necessary depth, detail, support, guidance, and structured curriculum, making them less useful for individuals who cannot develop their own learning plans.

2. Challenges in Job Searching

• Lack of Responses: Applying to numerous positions without receiving any feedback is a significant source of frustration.
• Unclear Qualification Path: Uncertainty about the qualifications required for cybersecurity roles and how to gain relevant experience before securing a job.

3. Misalignment Between Job Postings and Reality

• Inaccurate Job Postings: Job descriptions often do not accurately reflect the actual role or responsibilities.
• Lowball Salaries: Companies offering lower salaries for junior positions or Canadian workers compared to their U.S. counterparts.
• Unrealistic Expectations: Employers demanding extensive experience and qualifications for entry-level roles, creating barriers for those trying to enter the field.

4. Industry-Wide Issues

• “Unicorn” Candidates: The expectation for candidates to possess a broad range of skills, often referred to as "unicorns," adds pressure and makes job hunting more difficult.
• Limited Opportunities in Canada: The Canadian tech sector has fewer job opportunities, lower wages, and faces challenges such as outsourcing and lack of investment in local talent.
• Entry-Level Job Scarcity: A significant imbalance exists between the number of senior positions and entry-level opportunities, further complicating the job search for new professionals.
• Ongoing Education: The continuing education demands of certs, degrees, advanced degrees, CPEs are demanding and frustrating to figure out.

How do these relate to your journey? Is your top frustration on the list?

If not, reply to this message and let us know. We are always looking for ways to help overcome these type of challenges.

Thanks,

John