There are over 200k #veterans that complete their service to our nation and embark on their journey to the Private Sector every year, of those over 1000 everyday who embark on this path. Their families and loved ones also pick up and reestablish their lives after years of sacrifice and service as military spouses and dependents.
I apologize to many that it may take me a few weeks to respond at times, as I was reminded today; “Vishal, we all know when you’re catching up on your inbox!” I will strive to reply to every #veteran and #student that reaches out to me and offer any insight or direction I have. And if I missed it, just bubble it back up 😊. Microsoft Security wasn’t easy for me to grasp. I remember watching Brad Anderson’s Green Screen videos, teaching myself M365 and trying to piece together our #cybersecurity story at Microsoft. I had it memorized (it was like learning dog-fighting when I was flying, I could speak to it but had no clue how to physically do it), it became my whiteboard and my motivation to learn how to demo “EMS” and how to go hands on and action the script I had rehearsed 100s of times.
I share with students and veterans alike, it’s not my #military career or my stellar below average grades in #University that differentiated me, it may have been investing in myself and believing in myself, being scrappy and having an opinion (once I learned enough to think about topics and had an audience to push back on me). I’m greatful to Brad for what he did unknowingly, I shared that via email before he took his next role within industry.
2015 and 2016 are almost 10 years ago. Today, though the opportunity to scrap and grind is still there, there are some beautiful avenues for us to explore if #cyber is your “cup of tea” (see what I did there 😉 Quick #cybertea podcast plug https://lnkd.in/gQ_wCAYh Ann Johnson) Explore our learn site, pick a path, take an “open book” exam for a certification. Use platforms built by brilliant folks like Simeon Kakpovi and our Threat Team at Microsoft that use real data and Nation State bad actors to teach you how to hunt (KC7 Foundation).
I’ll continue to respond to every student or veteran that reaches out, but while you wait for me to clear my inbox, know that this community is amazing and if you have some time to spare, go hunting! https://kc7cyber.com
#westillserve #msftadvocate #mssa #standto #microsoftfederal #csfi #microsoft #befearless