Event Reflection - Secure Your Future 2024

This event hosted by the ISC2 Singapore Chapter Youth Wing was a comprehensive and inspiring session aimed at equipping young professionals with the tools and mindset needed to navigate their careers in cybersecurity effectively. I was invited to be part of this meaningful event to provide insights into career management, emphasising the importance of creating a career roadmap that aligns with one's career with personal values, interests, and skills.

Lesson 1: The Power of One Step at a Time

We are constantly being bombarded with big words and sometimes, it can be really scary for anyone who is just about to embark on a new phase. When it comes to achieving career success, it does not happen overnight. The various contributing factors, both internal and external, add complexity to everyone's unique situation. Hence, never underestimate the power of 'one step at a time'.

If you happen to make a mistake, you win by learning and improvising your next strategy; if you happen to make a great decision, you win because you are likely one step closer to your goals! Hence, so long as you are moving, you will always win.

Lesson 2: Career Success can be Holistic

I cannot emphasise enough the significance of knowing oneself, understanding personal values & belief systems, interests, and personality, and identifying skills that set individuals apart from the competition. This self-awareness and self-concept is crucial for ALL professionals as they navigate the volatility and ambiguities of the modern job market.

Lesson 3: Know your 'Playground'

In my presentation, I highlighted the importance of understanding the broader world and the dynamics of the job market. What might get someone to one level in their career might not be sufficient for the next, which calls for the need for adaptability and continuous learning. More than ever, professionals need to be independent and proactive in their career development.

A significant portion of the session was dedicated to exploring different functional roles within the cybersecurity sector, using the NICE Framework . This provided a clear roadmap for participants to identify potential career paths to build their career models.

Lesson 4: Well-being and Occupational Wellness

It seems like I am always talking about 'work', 'career', 'job'. How about having a life?

I assure you, I play harder than I work! :)

Here's the thing, one's job is not their ONLY identity, but a step in the journey of becoming who they will be.

My career and the work that I do are my 'tools'. I leverage on these tools to create a live that I am happy and at peace with!

Out of the 150 participants, I have received learnings (and takeaways) from close to 40 participants! I am humbled and heartened to have the opportunity to share tested-strategies with them. It is a journey for all of us, while we are at it, don't forget to have fun!

Becoming Irreplaceable aims to empower fellow professionals to build sustainable and meaningful careers, this is definitely one way for us to increase our own happiness index! It is really about taking the control back.