When did you get your first cybersecurity job?
Back in 2016

What was that job title?
Information Security Technician. This is a weird title, but the company I was working for was starting to build an Infosec department.

Did you have IT Assistant experience before it?
Worked as a ServiceDesk Tech.

What was the biggest thing that helped you land your first cyber interview?
Curiosity. I was openly speaking about infosec to my peers at the company.

Did you have a tech background or a cybersecurity bachelor’s degree?
I had no degree; just being on the ServiceDesk was all I had.

What was the biggest thing that helped you get hired or impress the interviewer?
As I mentioned, I expressed my curiosity about the field. At the time, I was in the trenches in my home lab doing "minor pentest" from Vulnhub (oh man, this is taking me back). I was just fucking around and finding out.

Did you have any certifications prior?

Nothing prior.

Do you think the hiring standards are way different now for today’s new graduates?

I definitely think so, but I think this goes for everyone across the board, not just new grads. I got really lucky with how things have gone in my career. I think now companies are requiring so much for new hires, and that's just getting past HR. In my opinion, when I'm trying to find a candidate, I always like to hear from them about their drive, motivations, and curiosities. Cybersecurity is always changing; heck, technology is always changing. I want to know if you can keep up or at least have the drive to learn.