Welcome to Edition #42 of The Career Compass! This week, we’re diving into six accessible stepping-stone jobs that can kickstart your journey into cybersecurity—no degree or experience required.

Plus, learn about the rising demand for third-party risk roles, how to position yourself for internal promotions, and get a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to build a career in tech or transition successfully.

Video of the Week: 6 Easy Jobs to Get BEFORE Starting Cybersecurity (No Degree Needed!)

Dreaming of a cybersecurity career but don’t have experience, certifications, or a degree? You’re not alone—and you’re not out of luck. In this week’s video, I reveal six entry-level roles you can land right now to gain real-world skills, earn income (up to $55K starting!), and create a direct path into cybersecurity roles like SOC Analyst, Security Administrator, or Ethical Hacker.

You’ll learn:

• 6 beginner-friendly tech jobs that build cyber-relevant skills

• How to gain hands-on experience in troubleshooting, networking, and risk

• Salary expectations and growth opportunities

• How to pivot from these roles into cybersecurity without a degree

Whether you're starting fresh or switching careers, these jobs are the perfect launchpad into a field projected to grow 32% by 2032. With 14+ years of recruitment experience, I’ve guided hundreds into new careers—let’s make yours the next success story.

News & Trends in Career Development

Third-Party Risk Roles Are Booming

With businesses relying more than ever on vendors, contractors, and cloud services, third-party risk management (TPRM) has become a hot area in cybersecurity. Organisations now need professionals who can assess the risks of external partnerships, ensuring data and systems stay protected.

🔹 Why it matters: TPRM roles are growing fast, especially in finance, healthcare, and SaaS companies. If you're detail-oriented and enjoy risk assessment, this could be your foot in the cybersecurity door.

📌 Career tip: Start learning about vendor security assessments, supply chain security, and compliance frameworks like ISO 27001 and NIST.

🧭 Internal Mobility Gains Momentum

More companies are prioritising internal talent development over external hiring. They’re creating programs to upskill and promote from within—especially for roles in tech, project management, and cybersecurity.

🔹 Why it matters: Instead of jumping ship for your next opportunity, explore ways to grow inside your current company. Employers are investing in internal career paths more than ever.

📌 Career tip: Book a meeting with your manager or HR rep to express interest in advancement. Ask about internal opportunities, mentoring, and training programs.

📢 Soft Skills Are Still the Differentiator

In a competitive market, your technical chops will get you noticed—but soft skills will get you hired. Communicating under pressure, managing stakeholder expectations, and adapting to change are consistently ranked among the top hiring priorities.

🔹 Why it matters: Recruiters and hiring managers are screening for emotional intelligence just as much as cybersecurity knowledge or certifications.

📌 Career tip: Practice storytelling in interviews, especially when explaining your experience or handling tough scenarios. Show, don’t just tell.

Cyber Career Spotlight: Third-Party Risk Analyst

As more organisations outsource software, infrastructure, and services, the security of their vendors has become a top priority. Third-Party Risk Analysts assess the risks that external suppliers, platforms, and tools pose to the business.

🔹 What They Do:

• Evaluate vendors for security risks before onboarding

• Review contracts, conduct risk assessments, and maintain vendor gggy documentation

• Work with procurement, legal, and security teams to ensure vendor compliance

• Monitor vendor risk over time and help mitigate emerging threats

🔹 Key Skills:

• Knowledge of security frameworks (SOC 2, ISO 27001, NIST)

• Risk assessment and audit experience

• Strong communication and analytical skills

• Vendor relationship and documentation management

🔹 Career Path: IT Risk Analyst → Third-Party Risk Analyst → Vendor Risk Lead → Director of Risk & Compliance

This is a fantastic role for those who want a mix of cybersecurity, compliance, and stakeholder collaboration.

Career Strategy Corner: How to Get Promoted Faster

Want to climb the ladder faster? Here are five strategic moves to help you level up—no guesswork required:

1. Build a Track Record of Impact

Consistently deliver results that solve real problems for your team or company. Keep a running list of your wins and how they’ve moved the needle.

2. Let People Know What You Want

Too many people assume their hard work speaks for itself. Schedule a career check-in with your manager and state your interest in a promotion or new challenge.

3. Seek Feedback and Apply It

Regular feedback helps you identify blind spots and position yourself as someone who’s growth-minded and coachable.

4. Take Ownership of High-Visibility Projects

Don’t wait to be asked—volunteer for initiatives that matter. Show you can handle leadership-level responsibility now.

5. Align with Company Goals

Frame your work in terms of the organisation’s priorities. When your contributions tie directly to business outcomes, leadership takes notice.

📌 Action Step: Start documenting your wins monthly in a “career accomplishments” file—it makes performance reviews and promotion requests much easier.

The Power of Clarity in Career Planning

Most people stay stuck not because they lack ambition—but because they lack clarity. Here's how to find yours:

• Do a personal audit. What do you love doing? What drains you? What compliments do you hear most often?

• Visualise your ideal workday. Get specific. Who are you helping? What kind of problems are you solving?

• Set a 3-month and 12-month goal. Big transformations happen in small steps. Give yourself permission to evolve.

Clarity isn’t just about choosing a job—it’s about aligning your work with your values, lifestyle, and aspirations.

Book a Free 15-Minute Exploratory Call

Looking to break into cybersecurity, change careers, or get promoted? I offer 1:1 coaching to help you:

• Craft a winning job search strategy

• Tailor your resume for ATS and human eyes

• Improve interview performance

• Gain clarity on your ideal role

• Career advice and coaching to help you achieve your full potential

Book your free 15-minute call here: lukegough.as.me

Thanks for reading, and as always, keep levelling up your career.

Best wishes
Luke Gough
Recruiter / Career Coach / Founder of The Career Compass