CyberWire Daily How do you gain “experience” in cyber without a job in cyber? [CISO Persepctives]
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Jan 27, 2026 Kathleen Smith, Chief Outreach Officer at ClearedJobs.net and co-host of Security Cleared Jobs, shares hiring and outreach experience in cleared and cyber recruiting. She discusses the experience paradox in cyber hiring. Practical paths include volunteering, CTFs, pen testing projects, domain expert transitions, internships, and internal retraining. Workplace examples and realistic expectations for entry roles are explored.
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Experience Trumps Theory In Hiring
- Employers demand demonstrated ability over theoretical knowledge when hiring for cyber roles.
- Lack of consensus on what counts as "experience" leaves candidates unclear and discouraged.
Use Real-World Academic Projects
- Pursue collegiate programs that include real-world labs, internships, or incident response projects.
- Use those supervised experiences to demonstrate practical skills to employers.
Volunteer For Local Security Work
- Volunteer to secure small organizations, churches, clubs, and local businesses to build hands-on experience.
- Document these efforts as demonstrable work for resumes and interviews.