Free 10-Point Cyber Career Readiness Checklist
Discover Exactly Where You Stand in Your Cybersecurity Career Journey
In 5 minutes, see where you stand on the 2 pillars (Explore and Build) that determine cyber career success — and know exactly what to focus on first.
Developed by Dr. Rose Shumba, professor, award-winning mentor, NYT-featured expert, and career-change guide who has helped 500+ adults transition into successful tech careers.
The $15,000 Cybersecurity Mistake
What 500+ Career Changers Taught Me About Breaking Into Cybersecurity
“Most people waste thousands on cybersecurity bootcamps without first understanding if cyber is right for them or if they have the technical foundations. The smart approach? Explore whether cybersecurity matches your interests and strengths, then build the essential foundations before investing in expensive training.” — Dr. Rose Shumba
The breakthrough discovery:
People fail in cybersecurity when they jump into expensive training without exploring the field or assessing their technical readiness. They succeed when they master these two crucial stages:
- EXPLORE — Is cybersecurity the right fit for you? (Most skip this and waste $15,000+ on the wrong career path)
- BUILD — Do you have the technical foundations to get started? (Without this, you’ll struggle in any cyber program)
Most people jump straight to certifications and bootcamps without knowing if they’ll actually enjoy the day-to-day work or if they have the basic technical skills needed to succeed.
This free checklist flips the process. It helps you explore cybersecurity careers and assess your technical readiness before you invest in training.
This Free 10-Point Checklist Changes Everything
In just 5 minutes, you’ll score yourself across 2 pillars that determine cybersecurity career success:
EXPLORE — Is cybersecurity right for you?
- Do you understand what cybersecurity professionals actually do daily?
- It’s not all “hacking”—there are 7+ different paths (analyst, consultant, risk, GRC, etc.).
- Can you name tasks you’d enjoy vs. dislike in specific roles?
BUILD — Do you have the technical foundations?
- Basics of networking, operating systems, and security concepts.
- Comfort with hands-on labs and simple troubleshooting.
- Understanding how foundations map to entry-level cyber roles.
What You’ll Get
- Instant clarity — See if cybersecurity matches your interests and technical readiness.
- Personalized path — Get recommendations based on your scores.
- Save money — Avoid wasting $15,000+ on cyber training you’re not ready for.
- Fast results — 5 minutes to know your next step.
How It Works
- Enter your email — Download your checklist immediately and check your email for a copy.
- Complete your checklist — Answer 10 quick questions and calculate your scores (about 5 minutes).
- Identify your gaps — See your scores across EXPLORE and BUILD.
- Build your transition plan — Based on your scores, follow Dr. Shumba’s proven process to see your next steps.
What Does Your Score Mean?
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EXPLORE score 0–3: Start with Know Before You Enroll Series to explore cyber careers and find your best fit.
Work through it self-paced, or join Community/Coaching for support
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BUILD score 0–3: Take the Cyber Prep Series to build foundational technical skills before certifications.
Work through it self-paced, or join Community/Coaching for support
No guessing. No wasted time. Just clarity about your exact next step in cybersecurity.
Start Your Cyber Journey the Smart Way
Don’t waste $15,000 on cyber training you’re not ready for. Take 5 minutes today to find out if cybersecurity is right for you and whether you have the foundations to succeed.
