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

Connect with Adam:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cyberrevolution.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow us on Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/cyberrevolutionaus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Thinking about moving into cybersecurity or tech but worried you do not have enough experience? In this episode, Adam Hewitt sits down with Lindsay, CEO of Techwell, to unpack what employers actually look for when hiring career changers into IT, managed services, and security roles. With 35 years in the technology industry and firsthand experience hiring Cyber Revolution graduates, Lindsay shares a practical employer-side view of what helps candidates stand out.

You will hear why certifications matter, but do not guarantee the job, how communication and customer-facing skills can become a major advantage, and why MSPs can be great entry points for people changing careers. Lindsay also explains Techwell's interview process, the balance between technical acumen and cultural fit, how new hires are trained through shadowing and structured development, and why attitude, punctuality, teamwork, and curiosity can influence hiring decisions. Adam and Lindsay also discuss real career pathways, including how Michael progressed through project management, level 1 support, security, and technical pre-sales within just a few years.

Key Takeaways:

• Use your previous career experience as an advantage. Customer service, stakeholder management, teamwork, and communication can make you more attractive to tech employers.

• Treat certifications as the entry ticket, not the finish line. They can help you get an interview, but how you present yourself often determines whether you win the role.

• Research real tech roles before committing. If possible, seek internships, shadowing, or time with an IT team to understand the good, bad, and practical day-to-day realities.

• Show commitment to the career change. Employers notice when candidates have invested time, money, study, and even short-term sacrifices to build a long-term tech career.

• Prepare for interviews beyond technical questions. Eye contact, punctuality, clear articulation, curiosity, and professional presence all influence hiring decisions.

• Look for employers with growth pathways. MSPs and growing tech companies may offer opportunities to move from entry-level support into security, projects, pre-sales, or leadership.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Welcoming Guest Lindsay

02:18 Lindsay's Career Journey to Techwell CEO

06:30 Overview of Techwell Services

09:02 Hiring Career Changers and Soft Skills

18:05 Inside Techwell Interview Process

20:58 Michael and Alex Career Progression

25:44 Advice for Aspiring Career Changers

30:03 Closing Remarks and Key Takeaways

Connect with Adam:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cyberrevolution.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow us on Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/cyberrevolutionaus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@cyberrevolutionaus

Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/cybrevolution_aus/⁠

Join host Adam Hewitt as he chats with Miranda, a recent Master's in Cybersecurity graduate who turned her childhood passion from an NSA camp into her dream entry-level role. Discover how she balanced university, certifications, and a full-time job to break into the industry.

Learn practical strategies for finding your cyber niche, staying consistent with studies, and leveraging support to differentiate yourself. Hear real insights on AI in SOC environments, the thrill of dynamic roles, and tips for career changers or students aiming for that first job.

Key Takeaways

• Explore cybersecurity broadly to find your passion, like ethical hacking, before specializing.

• Maintain consistency by scheduling 20-60 minutes daily for studies, even with a full-time job.

• Use audio learning during daily tasks like cooking to fit certifications into a busy schedule.

• Seek one-on-one support and exam prep sessions to build confidence and logical thinking.

• Remember your end goal during tough days to stay motivated toward that first role.

• Embrace dynamic roles in cybersecurity that offer variety, especially if you thrive in fast-paced

environments.

• Stay updated on industry changes like AI in SOC to avoid becoming a vulnerability.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

02:30 Sparking Interest in Cybersecurity

07:45 Bachelor's Degree During COVID

12:20 Choosing Deakin University Abroad

16:50 Joining Cyber Revolution Program

21:10 Balancing Studies and Work

25:40 Landing the Dream Role

29:15 Life in the New Job and AI Trends

34:00 Advice for Aspiring Professionals

Connect with Adam:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cyberrevolution.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow us on Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/cyberrevolutionaus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@cyberrevolutionaus

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After 13 years in the Navy, Josh found himself on night duty scrolling Instagram, wondering what came next. With zero prior IT experience, he took a leap of faith into cybersecurity. In this episode, Adam Hewitt - CEO of Cyber Revolution, sits down with Josh as he shares his incredible journey from the physical battlefield to the digital one, revealing how he landed a technology consultant role before even finishing his final certification.

You will learn how to identify your transferable skills, why soft skills often outweigh technical knowledge in interviews, and how to leverage AI to accelerate your studies. Josh also discusses the reality of the "imposter syndrome" that comes with a major career pivot and why consistency is the only secret weapon you need.

• You do not need to be a coding expert to enter cybersecurity; soft skills like communication and critical thinking are highly valued.

• Start before you feel ready—you will never feel 100% prepared to change careers.

• Leverage AI tools to create custom study notes, infographics, and quizzes for certifications.

• Security clearances give military veterans a significant competitive advantage in the job market.

• Consistency in learning fundamentals is more important than trying to master everything at once.

00:00 Intro

01:38 The Decision to Pivot from Navy to Cyber

03:15 Translating Military Skills to Civilian Tech

06:20 Overcoming the "No IT Experience" Fear

08:15 Study Hacks: Using AI to Learn Faster

10:15 Choosing the Right Training Path

11:50 How Josh Got Hired Before Graduating

14:50 The Interview Process: Personality vs. Technical

16:20 The Future of AI in Cybersecurity

18:30 Final Advice for Career Changers

Connect with Adam:Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cyberrevolution.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/cyberrevolutionaus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to our YouTube channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@cyberrevolutionausFollow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/cybrevolution_aus/⁠

Meet Alex, a former hospitality manager who spent 8 years in the service industry before deciding to make a massive pivot into technology. In this episode, Adam Hewitt - CEO of Cyber Revolution, sits down with Alex to discuss how he transitioned from bartending to landing his first IT Help Desk Engineer role just 10 days after finishing his certifications.

You will learn how to overcome the fear of a career change without a university degree and how to balance intense study schedules with major life events like becoming a first-time father. Alex shares honest insights on the interview process, the importance of consistent study habits (even just 20 minutes a day), and how the "Job Ready" program helped him secure a position at Techwell on the Gold Coast.

Key Takeaways

• You don't need a university degree to land a role at top tech companies anymore.

• Consistency beats intensity; studying 20 minutes every day is better than cramming.

• Major life changes, like becoming a parent, can be the perfect motivation to upskill.

• Soft skills from industries like hospitality transfer well into IT interviews.

• Utilising a 'Job Ready' placement program can significantly shorten the time to hire.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Teaser

01:30 From Bartending to Career Change

03:15 Fatherhood as a Catalyst for Growth

05:00 Why Cyber Revolution vs. University

07:45 Landing the Job at Techwell in 10 Days

09:50 Crushing the Interview Process

11:30 Studying for Exams with a Newborn Baby

13:40 The Power of Consistency

15:30 Advice for Aspiring Tech Professionals

Connect with Adam:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cyberrevolution.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow us on Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/cyberrevolutionaus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@cyberrevolutionaus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/cybrevolution_aus/

Welcome back to The Cyber Revolution Podcast!This week on The Cyber Revolution Podcast, Adam Hewitt, CEO of Cyber Revolution, sits down with Nathan, a former pharmacy graduate who made the bold decision to pivot his entire career into cybersecurity - despite having zero IT background.Nathan shares his inspiring journey from completing a pharmacy degree to realising less than a year into his career that it wasn't his calling. He opens up about the courage it took to walk away from a "safe" career path, how he discovered his passion for cybersecurity, and the practical steps he took to land his first IT role after completing just his CompTIA A+ certification.If you're stuck in a career that doesn't fulfill you, or you're debating whether certifications can really compete with a traditional university degree, Nathan's story will give you the clarity and confidence you need to take action.Key Takeaways:✅ You don't need a tech background to break into cybersecurity—Nathan had none and landed a role after just one certification✅ Alternative pathways are now recognized by major employers—certifications are becoming just as valuable (if not more) than traditional degrees✅ The cyber industry rewards continuous learners—if you love learning and being challenged, this field will fulfill you professionally AND personally✅ Small business cybersecurity is a growing niche—there's huge opportunity to make an impact protecting vulnerable organizations✅ Your current unhappiness is data—use it to make informed decisions about your future rather than ignoring itConnect with Adam:Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cyberrevolution.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/cyberrevolutionaus⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to our YouTube channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@cyberrevolutionaus⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/cybrevolution_aus/Chapters:00:00 - Introduction and Nathan's Background02:15 - Pharmacy Degree Journey and Realisation05:30 - Making the Career Change Decision08:45 - Why Cybersecurity Over Pharmacy11:20 - Landing First Role with A+ Only14:30 - Certifications vs University Degrees Discussion17:45 - Day-to-Day Work and Learning Experience20:30 - Future Career Goals and Ambitions23:15 - Advice for Career Switchers26:00 - Networking Tips and Final Thoughts

This week on The Cyber Revolution Podcast, Adam Hewitt, CEO of Cyber Revolution, is joined by Thomas, a former plumber who successfully transitioned into a thriving career in cybersecurity.

Thomas shares his remarkable journey from spending seven years as a plumber to landing a technical role in the government space, despite having zero prior experience with even basic office technologies like Microsoft Teams or Outlook. He discusses the challenges of career transition, the rewards of continuous learning, and how being surrounded by brilliant professionals has transformed his professional life.

If you're considering a career change into cybersecurity but worry about lacking technical background, Thomas's story offers both practical insights and genuine encouragement.

• Why Thomas decided to leave plumbing after seven years despite the security of having a trade
• How seeing a friend's success in cybersecurity opened his eyes to possibilities he hadn't imagined
• The surprising transition from having zero technical background to working in network security
• How the supportive learning environment at Cyber Revolution prepared him for success
• The importance of asking "dumb questions" and embracing continuous learning
• What a typical day looks like in his government-sector cybersecurity role
• The benefits of work-life balance and hybrid work arrangements in tech careers
• How ongoing certification and skill development continues after landing your first role

Thomas's Top Three Tips for Career Changers:

1. Just do it - If you're thinking about making a change, chances are you want to do it but are just scared to take the leap
2. Ask the "dumb" questions - Don't let fear of looking silly hold you back from learning
3. Practice consistently - Watch videos, complete labs, take practice exams, and build repetition into your learning

Connect with Adam:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cyberrevolution.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow us on Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/cyberrevolutionaus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@cyberrevolutionaus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/cybrevolution_aus/

This week on The Cyber Revolution Podcast, Adam Hewitt, CEO of Cyber Revolution, is joined by Ben Walls, a recent graduate who successfully transitioned into cybersecurity. Ben shares his fascinating journey from the Army Reserves to IT asset disposal, and finally to landing his role as a Cybersecurity Consultant in the defense sector.

Ben describes his path as "fate or destiny," explaining how a series of life events led him to cybersecurity. After working in an IT warehouse sanitizing data from defense laptops, he realized he wanted a meaningful career with growth potential. When Cyber Revolution appeared in his social media feed, he made a New Year's resolution to begin his cybersecurity studies—and actually stuck with it!

Just three months into his new role, Ben is thriving despite the steep learning curve. He's now part of a defensive security team focusing on Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC), working with defense clients that perfectly align with his background and interests.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How Ben's background in the Army Reserves and IT asset disposal created a natural pathway to cybersecurity
• Why he decided cybersecurity was the "smart call" for his career transition
• The importance of taking action now rather than later when considering a career change
• What a typical day looks like as a Cybersecurity Consultant in the GRC space
• How Ben's organization supports new professionals through mentorship and a positive culture
• Why he chose Cyber Revolution for his training and how the support structure helped him succeed
• Ben's top advice for those considering a cybersecurity career transition

If you're considering a career in cybersecurity but feeling hesitant about making the leap, Ben's story demonstrates how combining your existing skills with the right training can lead to a fulfilling new career path.

Connect with Adam:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cyberrevolution.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow us on Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/cyberrevolutionaus⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@cyberrevolutionaus⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/cybrevolution_aus/