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Hey Career Navigators,

This week, we’re doing something different. Instead of just talking about resumes or certifications, we’re diving into one of the most underrated career accelerators: mentorship.

Cybersecurity is growing fast — but for many, it feels intimidating, confusing, or even “off-limits.” The truth is, you don’t have to figure it all out alone. Mentorship can bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be.

Why Mentorship is the Secret Weapon in Cybersecurity Careers

1. Mentorship Shortcuts the Learning Curve

Cybersecurity is a massive field: SOC, GRC, cloud, red team, blue team… the list goes on. A mentor helps you cut through the noise, pointing you to the skills and certs that actually matter for your goals.

2. Mentorship Opens Doors You Can’t See

Many cyber jobs never get posted publicly. Mentors can connect you with their networks, recommend you for roles, or even act as your reference. This is how many candidates get their “foot in the door.”

3. Mentorship Builds Confidence

When you’re switching careers or starting out, imposter syndrome can hit hard. A mentor reminds you of your strengths, shares their own failures, and helps you keep moving forward.

4. Mentorship is a Two-Way Street

It’s not just about receiving — mentees often bring fresh perspectives, curiosity, and even technical skills that seasoned professionals appreciate.

📌 Takeaway: The fastest way to grow in cybersecurity isn’t just certifications — it’s people. A mentor gives you clarity, accountability, and opportunities you can’t find on your own.

Discover the measurable impacts of AI agents for customer support

How Did Papaya Slash Support Costs Without Adding Headcount?

When Papaya saw support tickets surge, they faced a tough choice: hire more agents or risk slower service. Instead, they found a third option—one that scaled their support without scaling their team.

The secret? An AI-powered support agent from Maven AGI that started resolving customer inquiries on day one.

With Maven AGI, Papaya now handles 90% of inquiries automatically - cutting costs in half while improving response times and customer satisfaction. No more rigid decision trees. No more endless manual upkeep. Just fast, accurate answers at scale.

The best part? Their human team is free to focus on the complex, high-value issues that matter most.

👉 Curious how they did it? Read the full case study to learn how Papaya transformed their customer support

Career Action of the Week

Find one potential mentor this week. It could be:

• A professional you admire on LinkedIn

• A leader in a local cybersecurity community

• Someone you already know from work or study

👉 Send them a short, respectful message like:

“I admire your work in [X area]. I’m starting my career in cybersecurity and would love to learn from your experience. Would you be open to a quick 15-minute chat?”

📹 Video of the Week: How to Break into Cybersecurity & Mentorship with Dr. Iretioluwa

Looking to start a career in cybersecurity but not sure where to begin? 🚀

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Iretioluwa, a respected leader in the industry, to talk about her journey, the mentorship programmes she runs, and what it really takes to break into cybersecurity in 2025.

We cover:

✅ How Dr. Iretioluwa got started in cybersecurity

✅ The challenges she faced and how she overcame them

✅ The mentorship programmes she runs to help the next generation

✅ Skills and certifications beginners should focus on

✅ How to break into cybersecurity

✅ How to stand out when applying for your first role

✅ The future of cybersecurity careers and opportunities ahead

Community Spotlight – CyBlack with Dr. Iretioluwa

One of the most inspiring mentorship initiatives I’ve come across recently is CyBlack, founded by Dr. Iretioluwa. CyBlack is more than just a community; it’s a movement focused on uplifting underrepresented voices in cybersecurity through mentorship, resources, and real opportunities.

What CyBlack Offers

CyBlack is a community of students and professionals dedicated to knowledge sharing, collaboration, networking, and mutual support.

They provide mentorship, academic guidance (including coursework and dissertations), and help individuals prepare for career opportunities through job readiness support.

CyBlack also runs internship and training programs that equip cybersecurity enthusiasts with real-world experience to strengthen their skills and industry exposure.

Why It Matters for You:

• If you’re just starting out or switching careers, having someone to show you the ropes can cut months off your learning curve

• Mentorship helps you see the industry from the inside — not just what job adverts say, but what roles actually do day-to-day

• Being part of a community like CyBlack gives you both visibility and accountability — two powerful levers when trying to break into a new field

👉 How to Get Involved:

1. Explore CyBlack’s website — see if the mentorship program is open, sign up if there’s an application. https://cyblack.org/ 

2. Attend one of their virtual events — even as an observer, you’ll learn and connect.

3. Reach out — mentors love helping, and showing initiative is often memorable.

Coaching Spotlight

If you’re struggling to find clarity or direction, mentorship is exactly what I provide in my Career Compass Method™ coaching programme.

In 8 weeks, I’ll help you:

• Define your career path (including cyber options)

• Build a resume + LinkedIn that attracts recruiters

• Prepare for interviews with insider frameworks

• Create a roadmap for the next 1–3 years

• Plus much much more.

🎯 Book your free 15-minute exploratory call here: Click here 

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

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

P.S. Remember to share The Career Compass with your network, and let’s work together to empower more careers!