Overview
This article shares a real mentorship experience that highlights the value of exploring overlooked IT career paths instead of following saturated trends without reflection.
Why Rushing Into Cybersecurity Is Not Always the Answer
Cybersecurity is often seen as the most attractive destination in IT, but it is also one of the most saturated. Many other areas of IT are skipped over, despite being financially rewarding, hands on, and deeply fulfilling.
The Long Arc of Mentorship
Mentorship does not always produce immediate feedback. People disappear, life happens, and sometimes years go by without contact. That is normal. Occasionally, someone reconnects later, and those moments often matter the most.
A Career Path That Clicked
In this case, encouragement to explore network engineering changed everything. The individual leaned into their natural strengths and built a career working hands on with firewalls and switches around the world for a major company. The result was strong compensation, bonuses, constant learning, and meaningful work that suited them far better than a traditional SOC or red or blue team role.
Why Fit Matters More Than Hype
Not every successful security career looks the same. Some paths are far more engaging outside of reporting driven roles. Finding the right fit can lead to better outcomes, both professionally and personally.
Seeing the Bigger IT Picture
IT is a connected ecosystem. Networking, systems, development, security, and now AI all intersect. Understanding the whole landscape helps people find where they truly belong instead of chasing trends pushed by marketing or influencers.
The Real Reward of Mentorship
The most meaningful reward is seeing someone thrive years later because they chose a path aligned with their strengths. Those moments affirm that honest guidance matters, even when it pushes against popular narratives.
Final Thought
Success often comes from finding what you genuinely enjoy and excel at, not what is currently trending. The right path may surprise you, and it may be far more rewarding than expected.
Mahalo
Stay hungry for knowledge, my friends