Having the Aptitude for Cyber and Leveraging Any Background

What led you to transition from biochemistry to cybersecurity?

After my Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry I envisioned pursuing a PhD or working in pharmaceuticals. However, having limited options in my geographic region and realising through the Bureau of Labor Statistics website that there were greater prospects in other fields, I started to humour a career change. While enumerating my interests via Wikipedia’s Outline of Academic Disciplines (highly recommend it for soul searching) I realized most were part of computer science (CS), or at least were problems that could be better solved by applying computation. A move to the East Coast gave me the opportunity to pursue a Master’s in CS and through that I discovered digital forensics, a subdomain of cybersecurity.

In my 9.5 years of varied experiences, I’ve discovered that diverse backgrounds can bring unique and impacting perspectives to the field. Many of the smartest colleagues I’ve had are multidisciplinary! You don’t have to study a specific APT (Advanced Persistent Threat) to become a qualified expert. Instead, you need the right attitude to continually evolve to fill critical knowledge and skill gaps as industry priorities shift. My journey from biochemistry to cybersecurity has been shaped by a foundational mindset that encompasses curiosity, adaptability, introspection, and seeking professional growth. 

How has ManTech supported your professional growth?

Joining ManTech while entering my mid-career has been perfect for me since I was looking to delve deeper into cyber subdomains that I had prior exposure to. Currently my niche is IAM (Identity Access Management). My team consists of a variety of SMEs (subject matter experts) that have 20+ years of experience who have provided me with technical mentorship that is not always easy to come by. In addition, the company fosters an environment where people from different backgrounds thrive. Project requirements, our adversaries, and government itself changes. Having employees that can fill gaps in teams sometimes requires acquiring skills in areas they do not have. ManTech prides itself on continuing to support you in your professional growth, even offering an internal Mobility Program that helps place employees in new roles if such changes force your contract to end, for example, which currently is a big concern in the United States.

Speaking of job hunting, what stood out about ManTech’s hiring process, and how did it compare to other experiences?

I joined ManTech at a pivotal moment in my career. I needed to find a new role quickly due to unforeseen circumstances, but I was set on only considering offers that aligned with my goals to obtain training, have technical management, and have hands-on work. Three key things stood out to me. 

1) ManTech has a seamless hiring process. At all times the recruiter was highly responsive, providing clarity and earnest feedback. Others would take up to a week to reply and give diplomatic responses. 2) I interviewed in person with my future manager, who demonstrated the technical leadership I was looking for. It was clear we could speak the same language and would be a good fit for each other. Most of my other experiences were virtual interviews and briefer, not allowing all my questions to be answered. 3) Strong onboarding - from day one, I was welcomed by my team on a personal level, encouraged to engage colleagues with questions, and as promised my manager truly had an open-door policy.

ManTech made the transition smooth, ensuring that I had the resources and connections needed in the first months to succeed in my new role.

What has been the impact of doing 100% hands-on work?

One of the most gratifying aspects of my role at ManTech is the ability to dedicate almost all my time to hands-on-keyboard tasks. Previously, I was spread across multiple projects, which was beneficial for early-career exposure but limited my ability to develop expertise.

By working on a variety of detailed tasks, I have had the opportunity to find bugs and touch different types of software. I will hopefully get to see my primary, long-term task fully from start to finish, which is not always possible. This experience has also allowed me to engage in architectural design and collaborate closely with senior decision-makers of the client, our vendor, and another contractor. Problems for the government can often be large-scale and complex which makes it extremely interesting.

A focused role has been invaluable in building specialised knowledge for the stability of my career but also enhanced general skills like troubleshooting that I can use in any future role.

You mentioned seeking training and other types of growth. Can you speak more about the programs ManTech offers for continuous learning?

ManTech prioritizes professional development, making it one of the most rewarding aspects of working here. The company actively invests in its employees, providing opportunities to up-skill, gain new certifications, and receive well-deserved recognition for their achievements.

By completing a Business Acumen course, I better understood the strategy, finance, and business aspects of how ManTech specifically operates in the market so I could be more effective in my role. I personally partook in an extensive month-long vendor training for my project that gave me the opportunity to have a series of sessions with intelligent engineers. Additionally, Skillsoft is provided to all employees. Having a practical approach ensured that I had the proficiency for my task. Beyond training, ManTech also supports professional advancement by reimbursing employees for certifications such as Security+ and CISSP. By covering these costs, the company helps employees remain competitive in an ever-evolving field.

Corporate recognition is another crucial element of ManTech’s commitment to professional growth. Programs like ManTech Elite and Technical Fellow celebrate employees who go above and beyond, ensuring that expertise and dedication are both acknowledged and rewarded.

This culture of learning and recognition empowers employees to stay at the forefront of cybersecurity, equipping them with the resources and encouragement needed to advance their careers.

Where do you see your career evolving at ManTech, and what excites you about the future?

Looking ahead, I aim to step into a technical leadership role, such as a Tech Lead or hands-on manager, and aspire to be a Chief Architect/Director. One initiative that particularly excites me is ManTech’s Advanced Cyber Training Program (ACTP), which provides low-level fundamentals like OS kernel security, reverse engineering, and networking.

I will also be partaking in a PMP bootcamp that will prepare me for greater responsibilities, all while contributing to the company’s mission of developing top talent.

What advice would you give to graduates or professionals considering a career at ManTech?

For those considering a career at ManTech or transitioning into cybersecurity, the most valuable approach is to embrace continuous learning and take a proactive approach to your career. This field has many facets, and success comes from staying adaptable and open to new information and opportunities.

Curiosity and a willingness to explore different aspects and abstractions within the industry can be powerful assets no matter what role you are in and will lead to a more wholistic solution to any problem you encounter. The ability to think critically, question, and evolve will not only help you thrive but also set you apart in a competitive market.

Equally important is the ability to communicate and take initiative. Engaging with your manager about career aspirations, seeking feedback (positive and negative), and proactively looking for ways to expand your knowledge can open doors in ways you were unaware of. Connecting with mentors and senior colleagues can also provide invaluable insights and guidance, helping to shape your career path in a more intentional way.

In my opinion, the largest traits that cause a snowball of other abilities to improve are fostering one’s own curiosity and open-mindedness. Taking just 2 minutes to speak with a person in the hallway could help — small events can add up to huge gains. Don’t be intimidated!

Vik will always respond to a message from you! You can find him on Github or LinkedIn.

Want to join ManTech?

If you’d like to join the team at ManTech, then create a profile on the hackajob platform or log in to your profile here. Follow what they are up to on their hackajob profile.

Like what you've read or want more like this? Let us know! Email us here or DM us: X, LinkedIn, or Instagram, we'd love to hear from you.