Alexis Dieter, working in Offensive Cyber Operations, proves there’s no one “right” way into cyber. After 13 years in bartending, Alexis pivoted careers, went back to school, and is now thriving in penetration testing all while finishing her degree.

Here are her lessons for anyone looking to break in (or breakthrough):

✅ Life Skills More Important than Tech Skills
Bartending taught her resilience, communication, and tough skin — the real keys to thriving in cyber.

✅ Network = Net Worth
Professors, clubs, conferences, and even old colleagues opened doors to her first internship.

✅ Stay Hungry, But Pace Yourself
Cybersecurity is a marathon. Continuous learning is crucial but burnout is real.

✅ Give Back Early
She leads outreach to women and minorities, proving that lifting others lifts the industry.

✅ Future-Proof Your Career
Alexis is already thinking about quantum computing risks and how they’ll change security in the next decade.

And when it comes to AI?

“AI can write scripts and save me time, but it can’t replace intuition. Offensive security is still very human.”

🚀 Whether you’re a student, a career changer, or a cyber veteran, Alexis’s story is a reminder: your past doesn’t define your future — your curiosity does.

#CybersecurityCareers #PenTesting #OffensiveSecurity #CareerPivot #LifeSkills #Networking #QuantumComputing #AI #GenerativeAI #CybersecurityCommunity #WomenInCyber #InclusiveCyber #futureofwork

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Meet Marivell, a proud Latina from NYC who turned curiosity into a career in cybersecurity, governance, risk & compliance (GRC), and leadership.

🔑 Highlights that resonate:

Curiosity as a Superpower → Asking the “dumb” questions launched her career in tech.

Representation Matters → A Latina voice proving that you don’t need a perfect path: just grit, curiosity, and community.

Breaking Silos → Cybersecurity’s biggest challenge isn’t tech, it’s the lack of collaboration.

GRC Reframed → Policies aren’t boring; they’re the foundation of cybersecurity programs.

Generative AI → Not a threat if you have foundational knowledge but a danger if you don’t.

Mentorship with Intention → Don’t just ask. Bring purpose, an agenda, and be ready for the give-and-take.

Optimism Always Wins → Inspired by Kimberly S. Reed’s book, Marivell reminds us that resilience + optimism = survival in cyber.

💬 Quote to share:

“I am proof you don’t need a perfect path. You need grit, curiosity, and community.” – Marivell

✨ Keywords to drive engagement:
#Cybersecurity #LatinaInTech #Mentorship #Curiosity #DiversityInCyber #GRC #AI #Resilience #RepresentationMatters #WomenInCyber

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We sit down with Robert, CIO of a leading healthcare services company, to explore how non-traditional career paths, life skills, and human-centric leadership can reshape technology teams. Robert shares his journey from political-science graduate to tech executive, his work closing educational gaps with Teach For America Colorado, and candid lessons on mentorship, failure, true role of AI in our work and authentic leadership.

🔑 Top Takeaways
Non-Tech Backgrounds Drive Innovation
Fresh perspectives, from customer service, education, even music, unlock creative problem solving.

Life Skills Are Business Skills
Empathy, respect, accountability and strong communication form the bedrock of high-performing teams.

Mentors Guide, Not Dictate
The best mentors ask probing questions and share stories, helping you surface your own strengths.

Fail Fast, Learn Faster
Real-world setbacks teach resilience, sharpen listening skills, and foster adaptive leadership.

AI Empowers, but Demands Oversight
Automation boosts efficiency, but over-reliance leads to complacency and erosion of critical thinking.

True Inclusion Requires Action
Moving beyond gatekeeping certifications and degrees to open doors for underrepresented talent.

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Audio:
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Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inclusive-cyber-unlocking-dei-in-cybersecurity/id1686041111
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Amazon - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/594cca7a-726d-43fe-b94e-36291566e9d8/inclusive-cyber-unlocking-dei-in-cybersecurityMusic: Music by Cryptochronica and Worlds Apart featuring Vtizzel; Song: Gunz Blazin' Music: Used with permission: Artist: Thunderwolf X Words Apart, Song: Cybernetix...