Rawan was rejected by the same company 7 times before finally landing a cybersecurity role at Accenture on her 8th application.

In this conversation, she shares how she went from car sales, customer service, and multiple casual jobs to working as a SOC analyst in Saudi Arabia - without a technical degree and after years of trying to break into the industry.

You'll hear how Rawan built the confidence and hands-on skills she needed through cybersecurity certifications, practical labs, mentorship, and a highly competitive bootcamp. She opens up about doubting online programs, pushing through financial pressure as an international student, and why support and accountability made such a difference compared to previous shallow training. Rawan also gives a practical look inside her day-to-day work in a SOC: investigating alerts, dealing with false positives, working with a team, and solving cybersecurity puzzles in real time.

If you're wondering whether your background, degree, or past rejections are holding you back, her story is a powerful reminder that timing, preparation, and consistency can change everything.

Key Takeaways

• Repeated rejection does not mean you are not capable - Ruan applied to Accenture 7 times before landing the role on her 8th application after building the right skills.

• Hands-on practice matters in cybersecurity interviews; certifications helped Ruan, but practical labs and CTF-style experience gave her the confidence to pass technical rounds.

• A non-technical degree does not have to block your cybersecurity career if you can demonstrate skills, persistence, curiosity, and problem-solving ability.

• Mentorship and accountability can make online study more effective, especially when previous training has been shallow, unsupported, or purely recorded content.

• SOC analyst work requires patience and attention to detail because most alerts may be false positives, but every alert still needs to be treated seriously.

• Cybersecurity can be a strong fit for people who enjoy puzzles, investigation, teamwork, and continuously learning something new.

Chapters

[00:00] Cold Open: The 8th Application

[00:34] Meet Ruan and Her Accenture SOC Role

[02:04] From Car Sales to Cybersecurity

[06:06] Certifications, Bootcamp, and Accenture

[08:20] Why the 8th Application Worked

[09:34] Alternative Pathways Without a Tech Degree

[10:52] Finding a Career That Felt Right

[12:01] Choosing Cyber Revolution Despite Doubts

[15:02] Practical Labs, Mentors, and Accountability

[16:56] Six Months as a SOC Analyst

[18:22] Inside a SOC Analyst's Day

[20:56] False Positives and Staying Sharp

[22:22] From Podcast Listener to Guest

[23:47] Ruan's Top Advice for Career Changers

[25:34] How to Get Started

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