Caitlin Sarian has built a global audience educating followers about online safety and scam prevention. For Sarian, entering cybersecurity and coding didn’t come as second nature, but her journey has taught her some paths are worth working hard for.
How did you break into the cybersecurity industry?
I was really good at math and science in high school, and my parents suggested engineering. “That’s like a man’s job,” I said, thinking it was like being a car mechanic. My freshman year, I did cheerleading and one of my cheer friends also suggested engineering. I ended up switching because of her, and I loved it.
I had done different engineering roles, and when I was graduating I still didn’t know where I really fit in. I went to a few different jobs and kept seeing the same type of men working on the same projects. I couldn’t see myself working on the same project at the same company for that long.
When I was applying to tech consultant jobs, a woman interviewed me and asked if I was interested in cyber. I had the same reaction I did with engineering: I just thought of hackers and hoodies. I had only taken two coding classes in college, and I barely passed them. But I said I’m a quick learner, and she suggested that if I like it, I can always change. So she kind of put me on that cybersecurity track, and I had a bunch of different job opportunities present themselves after graduation.
I realized I was kind of interested in cyber. I had no idea where it was going to take me, but I can always switch. That was how I got in. I learned everything on the job, which was one of the reasons why I started the channel — to teach people there’s so much more to cyber than a hacker in a hoodie. That’s not me at all.
What is something you learned on the job that no classroom could’ve taught you?
I’ve talked to a lot of women executives, and a lot of times, you think women are going to support you, and actually a lot of times, they don’t. Prepare yourself for that.
I’d say that about one-third of people aren’t going to support you, a third are going to be neutral, and one third actually are going to support you. Find your people and stick with them. There are a lot of really good people out here, but there are also a lot of men and women that might not want you to succeed.
Stay curious and stay excited. Know that you belong there and your skills are needed in the tech field. There are so many areas of tech that need every single type of person. Don’t be afraid to just jump in.
How has AI changed your work in cybersecurity?
If we’re not hiring at the entry level, we’re going to have to have mid-level people training or playing with AI, because they’ve never done it. Don’t completely replace entry level. You need to have an entry level track, and you need to have an intern track. And make sure there are mentors — mentors are huge. You learn the most when you’re actually doing it versus being in school.
What do you think is the biggest hidden barrier for women entering cybersecurity today?
I know a lot of women are afraid that they’re not smart enough. Don’t get discouraged. I always felt like the dumbest person in all my engineering classes. I went to every office hour; some of my classes I barely passed. And I’m like, I don’t know if I should be here, but I know that I worked really hard, and that doesn’t mean I don’t belong here. If anything, that means I fought for my spot.
If it doesn’t come easily, it doesn’t mean that you’re not meant for it. I think the best things in life shouldn’t come easily. I think the best things in life come after working hard.
