The Cyclical Nature of Tech Career Booms: Lessons from a Veteran

In the ever-evolving landscape of #technology careers, we're witnessing a familiar pattern unfold in the #cybersecurity field. As a seasoned tech professional with decades of experience, I can't help but draw parallels between the current cybersecurity job market and the client-server development boom I experienced in the 1990s. #CareerAdvice

Recently, I met a young professional eager to break into cybersecurity. He had been lured by promises of six-figure salaries right out of the gate – a narrative all too common in our industry. This scenario echoes the famous Battlestar Galactica quote: "All of this has happened before. All of this will happen again." #TechIndustry

The Cybersecurity Gold Rush #CyberSecurity

We're seeing a flood of new entrants into cybersecurity, driven by aggressive marketing from training organizations and the proliferation of "cybersecurity influencers." While the field appears to have numerous open positions, many job listings have unrealistic requirements, creating a bottleneck for newcomers. #JobMarket

This influx has led to:

1. An oversaturated market of entry-level candidates
2. A rise in unpaid internships
3. Frustration among those who've invested time and money in training

My Journey in Tech #MyTechJourney

My own career trajectory serves as a cautionary tale about the realities of building a successful tech career:

• Started as a software engineer at 13
• Worked retail at Babbage's, a predecessor of GameStop , selling software
• Transitioned to software development at 19
• Joined BSG , learning PowerBuilder
• Became a highly sought-after trainer
• Founded my own company, Systems Evolution Incorporated
• Weathered economic downturns and business challenges

Throughout this journey, I experienced:

• Initial low pay despite high expectations
• Gradual income growth through specialization and hard work
• The need to adapt to market changes and personal circumstances

Lessons Learned #CareerLessons

1. Pay Your Dues: Success rarely comes overnight. Be prepared for "dog food pay" early in your career.
2. Have a Plan: Set realistic goals and work consistently towards them.
3. Embrace the Journey: The path to success is often more valuable than the destination.
4. Be Adaptable: Tech trends come and go. Flexibility is key to long-term success.

Looking Ahead #FutureOfTech

As we see the cybersecurity field potentially cooling and #AI heating up, remember that these cycles are natural in tech. The current AI boom, with stories of prompt engineers commanding high salaries, will likely follow a similar pattern. #AITrends

In conclusion, while it's exciting to chase the latest tech trend, true career success comes from consistent growth, adaptability, and a willingness to put in the work. As you navigate your tech career, remember: the journey is where the real value lies. #CareerGrowth #TechSuccess

One of my clients, ThreatGEN is a perfect example of flexibility in action! One of ThreatGEN's founders, Clint Bodungen , is a tech innovator and an #entrepnuer extraordinaire! Having dabbled in AI for years, he saw the chance to include #GenerativeAI within a #tabletopexercise simulation called AutoTableTop?.

Note: I wrote the article initially, and the original can also be found on DSV Consulting , but Anthropic 's Claude product helped me make the article more concise.