u/Full_Concentrate6865

I would appreciate advice from professionals who transitioned into cybersecurity or networking later in their careers.

After spending several decades in a contact center role with a major telecommunications provider, I was made redundant. The technology I specialized in has largely been retired, so I have been retraining in Cybersecurity and Routing & Switching, earning industry certifications as well as a Master's degree in Cybersecurity.

My challenge is that, while I have gained relevant qualifications, I have limited direct industry experience, and many positions appear to place significant emphasis on practical, hands-on expertise.

For those who have successfully made a similar career transition:

How did you address the lack of direct experience?

What entry-level or transitional roles would you recommend pursuing?

How can I best position my telecommunications background as a relevant asset?

Which skills, projects, certifications, or learning experiences were most valuable in helping you enter the field?

I am prepared to take a step back in order to build a long-term career in this area and would greatly appreciate any insights or guidance.

About six months ago, I was working as a contractor for Company A, supporting a client at Company B. Company B decided to bring the work in-house and hired a new engineer. During the handover process, it became clear that there were significant gaps in their foundational knowledge. I recommended that they attend vendor training and certification courses, but the request was declined due to budget constraints.

A few weeks later, a senior manager organised a meeting and pushed our team to provide foundational training that went well beyond the agreed handover scope. I explained that any changes to the scope of work would need to be discussed with our account manager or HR, as we were not authorised to make those decisions ourselves.

The response wasn't positive. I was removed from the meeting, and two weeks later my contract was terminated early, while other team members remained for several more months.Fast forward to last month: that same manager was made redundant following internal restructuring and reported concerns about leadership alignment.

What this experience reinforced for me is that everyone in a company is replaceable, regardless of title or position. Yet some people seem to believe authority means they can ignore boundaries, pressure others into doing work outside agreed responsibilities, or punish people for saying "no."

Made Redundant After 10+ Years in Telecom. How Do I Break Into Cybersecurity?

Why do some managers struggle so much with hearing a professional and reasonable "no"? Is it ego, insecurity or something else?