Talk given to Computer Information Systems majors at Louisiana Tech University.

1. Failing is awesome
And other things they don’t put in the admissions brochures.

2. /aboutme.html
• B.S. Computer Information Systems,LouisianaTech 2002
• Lead Information Security Engineer,CenturyLink
• Husband and father of two
• Professional code ganker
• BelievesPython > All
Kory Kyzar

3. Disclaimer
Everything in this presentationis my own opinionanddoes not represent the
views of CenturyLink.
These are just opinionsbasedon my experiences.No one travels the same
path in life so your mileagemay vary.

4. What this talk is
• A realisticview of college,employers, and career advice.
• Basically,it’s a talk about things I wish I knew when I was a student.

5. What this talk is NOT
• This is not goingto be a recruiting pitch.
• This is not goingto be sugarcoatedand full of rainbows and butterflies.
• They will probablynever ask me to speakhere again.(Sorry)

6. May 18th 2002
2:00PM 7:00PM

7. Recruitment
What if you’re not the red guy?

8. Uh Oh

9. Timeline
Consulting
Small
Companies
Large
Company

10. Small Companies
Pros
• Agile
• Valuableexposure to different
technologies
• Interactionwith all businessunits
Cons
• Limited resources
• Fewer chancesfor peer collaboration
• Spend a large percentageof time
“fighting fires”
• Limited opportunitiesfor
advancement

11. Jack of all Trades
(AKA TheIT Generalist)
Small companies generally have budget for only one or
two IT professionals to support the main business.

12. Become a SME (Subject Matter Expert)
• What nichedo you enjoymost? Pursue that!
• It’s fine to be interested in lots of different areas, but put the majorityof
your time and efforts into one or two keyskillsthat willprogress your career.

13. Information Security
• One of the numerous responsibilities at
varSmallCompany
• Allowed me to stay technical
• Dedicated myself over two years to
specialization
• Industry growth expecting to continue for the
foreseeable future

14. How has my college experience and
coursework affectedmy career?

15. Technology advances far quicker than the
curriculum
CISCourses
• Novell Netware
• COBOL
• No security focused coursework
Business Courses
• BusinessCommunications
• Finance
• Accounting

16. “
”
You will not learn everything you
need to know in a classroom.

17. Don’t take a passive role in your education

18. Advice I would give my 20 year old self

19. The further away from
graduation you get,
the less relevant your
degree will be.

20. Don’t get comfortable

21. Fail.
Learn.
Fail Again.

22. Security.
It’s kind of a big deal.

23. You are your brand

24. There is a vast
difference between
having a craft and
having a job.

25. Questions?
k2@korrosivesecurity.com
@0xktwo