This section runs from 1:00:38 to 1:03:09 in the full video above. Feel free to watch now or let it play through to the next topic.

If you’re sitting in the house by yourself, not doing anything, you’re most likely not going to get the job. I need you to hear that.

The job is going to come from referrals. It’s going to come from people you know, people you’ve worked with, people you were nice to in the past, people you went to classes and courses with — the ones where you showed out because you were the smart one. The ones whose contact information you kept.

I look back now and realize how many connections I let slip. People I sat in week-long courses with — 30 people with the same dreams, goals, and aspirations — and I didn’t keep any of their contact info. A lot of them are now CEOs, CISOs, CTOs, directors of IT. One phone call could have changed everything.

Don’t make that mistake. When you’re in a class, a meetup, a workshop — connect with people. Get their LinkedIn. Add them to your network. Stay in touch.

Over time, you’re going to start to accumulate favors. You’re going to start to accumulate cards that you can play. And you want to use them wisely.

And here’s the other side: don’t just go to a class and sit in silence. Participate. Ask questions. Help someone else. Be the person that people want to work with. Be presentable. Carry yourself like someone that others want on their team. Don’t have a bad reputation. Don’t be difficult to work with.

The technical skills get you considered. The human skills get you hired.

What you’ll take away:

• Jobs come from referrals — your network is the gateway to opportunities
• Stay in touch with people from courses, meetups, and workshops — these are your future CISOs and CTOs
• Active participation in learning environments builds your reputation and visibility
• Technical skills get you in the door, but soft skills and relationships get you the job

Something to think about:

Who are three people from your past (classes, jobs, meetups) who would remember you as someone who “showed out” or was helpful? Have you stayed in touch? What’s one conversation you could start this week?

– Tyrone

Ready to go deeper? Intro to Cyber picks up where this conversation leaves off — with hands-on labs, real tools, and a structured path from beginner to job-ready. #Intro2Cyber