Today’s Best Advice Q&A entry comes from Kasia Hanson, vice president of strategic partnerships at Alcatraz. She shares the best advice she’s ever gotten,
Security Sales & Integration: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Kasia Hanson: Early in my career, an executive shared two lessons during a career development chat that have stuck with me ever since. The first was to develop your network. Everyone matters, from the folks at the office front desk to the delivery guys.
Second, start asking for additional assignments outside of your day job. He called this “my night job.” He said these should be things that push you out of your comfort zone and give you access to other parts of the business and colleagues. It’s one of the reasons I volunteer often. It teaches you the art of servant leadership and allows you to learn much more while avoiding becoming siloed in just one area of the business.
SSI: What advice would you give to those looking to achieve success in the security industry?
Hanson: Find your niche, then learn everything else around it. That means growing your network outside of your company while building and strengthening your relationships with colleagues inside it. It also means finding industry leaders willing to help and advise you.
One of my mentors was the amazing Jim Henry. While he is no longer with us, I cherish my memories of his spirit, advice and great conversations. When I was just starting out in my career, someone told me he was an OG in the industry. I knew we needed to become friends and that I wanted him to mentor me so I approached him at an event. He was always willing to give his time, answer my questions and guide me.
SSI: If you could point to one person in the security industry and tell up-and-comers, “Make sure to listen to what they have to say,” whom would you pick and why?
Hanson: John Nemerofsky from SAGE. He was one of the first people I met in the industry and always keeps his door open to those who want to learn and grow, especially women trying to break into or grow in the industry. From a practitioner perspective and risk management view, Tim Wenzel. Lastly for women in security, Maureen Carlo, Alice DiSanto and Candice Aragon.
In the end, your network is one of the most powerful things you have, so reach out, make the phone call, set up the 30-minute intro or say hello at an event. You never know where it will lead.
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