{"id":82453,"date":"2021-06-09T00:39:23","date_gmt":"2021-06-08T13:39:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.institutedata.com\/blog\/airline-pilot-to-cyber-security-risk-consultant-how-dominique-fast-tracked-her-cyber-career\/"},"modified":"2024-07-15T12:59:15","modified_gmt":"2024-07-15T01:59:15","slug":"airline-pilot-to-cybersecurity-risk-consultant-how-dominique-fast-tracked-her-cyber-career","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.institutedata.com\/us\/blog\/airline-pilot-to-cybersecurity-risk-consultant-how-dominique-fast-tracked-her-cyber-career\/","title":{"rendered":"Airline Pilot to Cybersecurity Risk Consultant – How Dominique Fast-tracked Her Cyber Career"},"content":{"rendered":"

Former Airline Pilot – Dominique Cotte successfully transitioned her career during COVID-19 to the cybersecurity industry and became a Cybersecurity Risk Consultant through the Institute of Data’s part-time Cybersecurity Program<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Coming from a non-IT background, Dominique was driven to create a change in her life and was focused on re-launching her career after facing redundancy.<\/span><\/p>\n

In just 24 weeks, she expanded her long-term career opportunities. Despite the time zone differences, she dedicated herself to upskilling and completed her training remotely from England, and even used her previous non-IT experience to her advantage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once upskilled with a cybersecurity certification from the Institute of Data, Dominique committed to the job search in the following months, seeking close guidance and support from our Trainers and Career Coaching team. From this support and through her determination to apply for jobs and network, Dominique secured an accelerated job outcome and is now a Cybersecurity Risk Consultant with QBE in London.<\/span><\/p>\n

We caught up with Dominique to hear more about her remarkable journey:<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Hi Dominique, would you please tell us more about your professional background and industry experience before making a career change to cybersecurity?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Before pursuing studies with the Institute of Data, I was an International wide-body jet pilot for Emirates Airline – for 4 years on Boeing 777.<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve also flown for Tigerair Australia. My career over the past 17 years has been in the Aviation industry. In terms of prior qualifications, I have a Bachelor\u2019s in Aviation Technology from Swinburne Hawthorn University.<\/p>\n

Did you leverage any of your previous work experience to enhance your skills in our Cybersecurity Program?<\/b><\/h3>\n

I was introduced to the Institute of Data’s (IOD) Cybersecurity Program<\/a> through my sister. She is a travel agent for cricket in Australia, and she recommended the program to me.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

[su_quote]I thought it was a great transition from Aviation, especially due to my experiences in risk management, threat & error management, and critical thinking ability.[\/su_quote]<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition, my previous focus on international standards, regulation and safety management was very helpful in my career transition.<\/p>\n

What were your career goals moving into the cyber industry?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

I was always interested in moving into coding or studying another career path alongside my aviation career.<\/span><\/p>\n

The pandemic consolidated my need for this.<\/p>\n

Cybersecurity was also thriving during the pandemic! So many jobs became available worldwide, revealing a great opportunity for myself and many others.<\/p>\n

You\u2019re now working as a Cybersecurity Risk Consultant\u2014congratulations! How did you land a job in the industry after completing your training, and what guidance would you give someone applying for jobs after upskilling in cybersecurity?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

My lack of experience in cyber and information technology (IT) was a challenge.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For a few months, I was repeatedly rejected from job applications and did not get any interview opportunities.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the practical knowledge gained from the Institute of Data program was great.<\/p>\n

My breakthrough came when I personally contacted Qantas’s Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). We established a great relationship over time, and she provided me with guidance and insight into how I could better position myself in job applications as a cybersecurity professional. Due to this, I eventually landed the opportunity with QBE.<\/span><\/p>\n

It helps to have the right connections.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is also important is being open and proactive to receiving guidance from professionals who can help you find a job in the industry.<\/p>\n

Do you have any tips on how do you prepare for a cybersecurity interview?<\/span> <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

There are numerous ways individuals can prepare for a cybersecurity<\/a> interview.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are a few tips that I would suggest:<\/p>\n