In this insightful episode of VET S.O.S., hosts Shawn and Eric dive deep into the world of cybersecurity and how veterans can successfully transition into this high-demand field. Joining them are two industry leaders: Gunnar Kallstrom, a cyber team lead and former Army musician, and Keith Cassant, a veteran employment program manager at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
🚀 Gunnar’s Journey:
After serving 15 years in the Army, Gunnar faced uncertainty about his next step. Through the Army Transition Assistance Program, he discovered cybersecurity as a promising career path. Gunnar enrolled in a four-month online cybersecurity program while still in service and later completed 800 hours of intensive training through the Cyber Warrior Academy. His dedication paid off—Gunnar secured a cybersecurity role before graduating. He shares how continuous learning, hands-on practice, and home labs like Hack The Box and TryHackMe helped him bridge the gap between theory and real-world cybersecurity challenges.
💼 Keith’s Expertise in Veteran Career Development:
With over 22 years of military experience, Keith understands the struggles of career reinvention firsthand. In his dual role at CISA, he focuses on veteran outreach, mentorship, and connecting veterans with cybersecurity opportunities. Keith highlights the importance of building a "board of advisors" for guidance, narrowing your career focus, and balancing certifications, experience, and education for success.
Keith also introduces the CISA Cyber Career Pathway Tool, a powerful resource that helps veterans explore cybersecurity career paths based on their skills and interests. This tool breaks down job roles, necessary skills, and growth opportunities, making it easier to map out a clear and achievable path into cybersecurity.
🎯 Key Takeaways:
- The importance of making intentional career decisions and creating a focused transition plan.
- How to leverage military skills like discipline, problem-solving, and adaptability in cybersecurity roles.
- The value of mentorship through platforms like Veterati and professional networks.
- The need for continuous learning with resources like home labs, free online tools, and certifications (e.g., CompTIA Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)).
- How the CISA Cyber Career Pathway Tool can help veterans find their place in cybersecurity.
📌 Action Items for Listeners:
✅ Explore the CISA Cyber Career Pathway Tool to discover cybersecurity roles aligned with your skills.
✅ Connect with Gunnar Kallstrom and Keith Cassant on LinkedIn for mentorship and guidance.
✅ Start learning now with platforms like Hack The Box, TryHackMe, and earn key cybersecurity certifications.
✅ Join veteran-focused mentorship platforms like Veterati for personalized guidance.
🔗 Helpful Links:
🔹 CISA: https://www.cisa.gov/
🔹 Connect with Gunnar Kallstrom: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gunnar-kallstrom/
🔹 Connect with Keith Cassant: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithcassant/
🔹 Cyber Warrior Academy: https://www.cyberwarrior.com/
🔥 Ready to make your move into cybersecurity? This episode is packed with real-world advice, practical resources, and insider insights to help you start strong.
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