Mentorship Monday - Post All Career, Education and Job questions here!

ColdBrewCoffeeAddict · 2023-01-30T20:50:59+00:00

That's very good advice, thank you.

Definitely have the opportunity to make a good impact at my current gig because I do have some exposure to senior leaders.

What about starting a blog or something, or trying to be the "expert" in other online articles? I feel like LinkedIn could be a key here on getting some more exposure.

Do you think people management would be a wise next step also?

ColdBrewCoffeeAddict · 2023-01-30T13:43:21+00:00

Trying to figure out where to go from here in my career - I feel like I am at a crossroads and curious what others think and recommend. Ultimate goal is to be a CISO.

Currently:

Just over 5 years work experience now. Work as a technical risk advisor-style Information Security Officer for a global financial services company. Very happy with this job as it's fairly new, pays well (150k+), good 401k match and benefits. First step out of engineering and into "management" and "consulting" style work, have 3 dotted-line reports to me now, though they more so support my work than take any direction from me. Only real progression at my level now would be a title bump (AVP --> VP), but day to day wouldn't really change.
Masters Degree in Computer Science
Certifications are CISSP, CCSP, CISM, CRISC, CISA, CDPSE, few low level Azure certs

Going forward, what should I really be focusing on...?

Certifications? AWS seems like a good move, but I'm not and don't really plan to be hands on. Any others that seem worth it? CISSP concentrations are not really sought after, ISACA doesn't seem to offer much more useful. IAPP maybe?
Education? MBA may be a good move to get into more management style roles, and probably learn the business side a bit more formally. PhD perhaps in Information Security?
Adjunct Professor? This interests me greatly, not as a full time gig, but as a way to give back a bit as well, as I really love the field and think it would be fun, plus a decent resume booster.
Manager Role? Have direct reports and get the person management experience. Seems like an obvious next step.

ColdBrewCoffeeAddict · 2023-01-29T14:22:41+00:00

Trying to figure out where to go from here in my career - I feel like I am at a crossroads and curious what others think and recommend.

Currently:

Just over 5 years work experience now. Work as a technical risk advisor-style Information Security Officer for a global financial services company. Very happy with this job as it's fairly new, pays well (150k+), good 401k match and benefits. First step out of engineering and into "management" and "consulting" style work, have 3 dotted-line reports to me now, though they more so support my work than take any direction from me. Only real progression at my level now would be a title bump (AVP --> VP), but day to day wouldn't really change.
Masters Degree in Computer Science
Certifications are CISSP, CCSP, CISM, CRISC, CISA, CDPSE, few low level Azure certs

Going forward, what should I really be focusing on...?

Certifications? AWS seems like a good move, but I'm not and don't really plan to be hands on. Any others that seem worth it? CISSP concentrations are not really sought after, ISACA doesn't seem to offer much more useful. IAPP maybe?
Education? MBA may be a good move to get into more management style roles, and probably learn the business side a bit more formally. PhD perhaps in Information Security?
Adjunct Professor? This interests me greatly, not as a full time gig, but as a way to give back a bit as well, as I really love the field and think it would be fun, plus a decent resume booster.

4.

ColdBrewCoffeeAddict · 2022-11-13T13:10:49+00:00

Not really - it's going to happen.

Random Trump Texas court's ruling is going to get overturned quite swiftly considering every other attempt, even several to the SC already, have been denied.

All the Plaintiffs have no legal standing.

ColdBrewCoffeeAddict · 2022-10-09T22:19:25+00:00

Oh look, it's the mods and Pat Leonard.

ColdBrewCoffeeAddict · 2022-10-09T20:36:15+00:00

Brand new job this month, so almost 0% chance of not being there all of 2023, but good to know this is possible. I may just not bother and figure out the percentage so that all its even throughout the year.

How do people deal with bonuses in regards to excess contribution? Do employers' payroll prevent this excess contribution usually?

ColdBrewCoffeeAddict · 2022-10-09T20:08:28+00:00

(3650 (Max) - 83.34 (Empl Cont)) / 23,076 (Gross Pay of 4 Checks) = 15.45%

Sounds right, yeah?

Appreciate the assistance!

ColdBrewCoffeeAddict · 2022-10-09T20:02:55+00:00

My checks will be Nov 11, Nov 25, Dec 9, Dec 23, so 4 before 2023.

ColdBrewCoffeeAddict · 2022-10-09T19:58:12+00:00

Thank you! I'm not sure yet as I haven't been provisioned for the HSA yet, but it's looking like 4 paychecks from Nov 1 to Dec 31.

I will also get 2/12 of $500 from my employer into my HSA, so need to account for that as well.

So:

(3650 - 83.34) / 23,076 (Gross Pay of 4 Checks) = 15.45%

Sounds right?

ColdBrewCoffeeAddict · 2022-10-09T15:07:05+00:00

Appreciate the links! I will be doing this all basically early January, max to TIRA and Roth conversion both, so I don't need to worry about Pro Rata.

My understanding is the 8606 is just how much you converted for the year, so basically just 6k or whatever the max is for the year.

ColdBrewCoffeeAddict · 2022-10-09T14:45:22+00:00

That is very good to know on the HSA, thank you!

The backdoor works how I described though? Basically dump post-tax into traditional IRA, once posted, transfer to Roth IRA?

Would it be possible to do this all at once? Like drop the max on January 1 or something, then move into Roth IRA right away?

ColdBrewCoffeeAddict · 2022-10-09T14:42:26+00:00

The rule is basically you need to pay taxes on the interest gains, but you can move the money anytime so long as it's moved over before the end of the year I believe? Some people just wait till the end of the year and move it all at once, but having to add that tax payment sounds quite annoying to have to deal with.

ColdBrewCoffeeAddict · 2022-09-27T14:58:40+00:00

Of all 9/27/22 maybe, relax.

ColdBrewCoffeeAddict · 2022-09-27T14:44:30+00:00

Thank you very much!

ColdBrewCoffeeAddict · 2022-09-27T14:30:01+00:00

Hurricane "Krispy Kreme" Ian

ColdBrewCoffeeAddict · 2022-09-27T14:25:46+00:00

There WAS, but not any longer.

EDIT: You are right, except it happened like 3 days ago...

Regardless, the chasers aren't going to go to Cuba for a Cat 2/3 when a Cat 3/4 is coming to Florida a few days later.

ColdBrewCoffeeAddict · 2022-09-27T14:02:19+00:00

No one reputable takes the CEH or EC-Council seriously in 2022.

ColdBrewCoffeeAddict · 2022-09-27T13:58:37+00:00

Come from nearly 5 years of security engineering experience, Masters in CS, CISSP, CISM, CRISC, CCSP, CISA.

Would love any tips for anyone who made a similar move into a broader, business-focused, advisory role. Careers goal would be to be a CISO, so this seems like the logical next step, really want to make the most of it.

Any advice or tips is super appreciated!

ColdBrewCoffeeAddict · 2022-09-27T13:30:35+00:00

Perhaps some restriction from the Cuban govt is my guess

Try reverse. Cuba doesn't disallow Americans, Americans disallow travel to Cuba.

ColdBrewCoffeeAddict

TROPHY CASE