01/12/2025

Breaking Into Tech: What No One Tells You as a New Grad by Efe Zindanci

I just graduated from Isik University with a Bachelor of Computer Science and Engineering, and like many recent graduates, I am working on finding my place in the tech world. It feels exciting because it opens new possibilities, but it is also stressful at times because the shift from school to the job market brings lots of uncertainty.

Expectations vs. Reality

I expected my degree, projects, and internships, especially the ones related to SIEM monitoring, incident management, and vulnerability assessment, to be sufficient in landing a job right away. Many people told me that cybersecurity was full of opportunities, which made me believe that after graduation, a stable role would follow right afterward.

Reality didn’t quite live up to that expectation. Most “entry-level” positions called for years of experience, long lists of tools, or skills more common in senior roles. Even with hands-on experience, securing interviews felt rare, and many applications received no reply at all. That silence created more doubt than any rejection.

The Silence Between Applications

The most challenging part of the entire process seemed to be waiting for a response once the applications were sent out. It hit harder than a direct rejection because it meant there was nothing to learn from it; there’s no feedback, no explanation, and simply nothing to understand that needed improvement. Days went by with no updates, and I couldn’t stay confident in my progress due to the uncertainty.

When interviews finally occurred, they brought a different kind of pressure altogether: having to think clearly under time limits, adapting to unfamiliar problems, and explaining my line of reasoning step by step. Each conversation required focus and composure, and it underscored how much there still was to learn about presenting myself and my work.

So How Do You Break In

This is a question that stuck with me because I was early in my career and trying to figure out how to make my way in the industry. I didn’t have a network, and university focused mostly on theory, not on how to connect with professionals or find guidance.

Because I am an outgoing person, I started reaching out on LinkedIn to people working in information security. I asked simple questions, tried to understand what kind of work they did, and learned something from every conversation. This helped me handle the silence of the job search and kept me moving forward. Reaching out, even when people didn’t reply, became a way of staying engaged and building confidence.

A Shift in the Journey

What put me in this direction was the combination of my experience at the internship and my curiosity. Working in security operations, I used SIEM tools, reviewed alerts, supported incident responses, and saw how real services are protected in a banking environment. This showed me an actual look at what the industry looks like and encouraged me to explore other areas like malware analysis, vulnerability scanning, and investigation work.

The real shift came when I decided to focus on what was in my control and not on the silence in my job search. I worked on my projects, asked for CV feedback, connected with professionals, and learned from their experiences. Each little step forward turned uncertainty into progress.

All this prepared me for my current role of Information Security Assistant Specialist at a financial services firm. It was an exciting transition, but with some doubts around readiness. Knowing even someone like John Salomon, one of my mentors, still experiences doubt helped me understand that it is simply part of growing.

How the Work Environment Helped Me Learn

The one thing that helped me the most was how the work environment supported my growth. It allowed me to settle in and learn what to expect from others. I learned this within my first week on the job. I was not expected to know everything on day one. Rather, I found the people around me open to questions, willing to explain processes, and patient when I needed guidance. That kind of attitude really showed me that I could ask for help without feeling judged.

This sort of atmosphere creates a huge difference. When people around you are supporting your learning, you stop worrying about not knowing enough and actually start growing. Even small conversations became moments where I learned something new, and the workplace slowly became a comfortable space instead of something intimidating.

What’s Helped Me Move Forward

A few observations from my own experience may be helpful for others just beginning their careers. These are the lessons that made the most significant difference for me.

• Build something real. Even small projects matter.
• Start small: internships, open source work, freelance projects. Each step counts.
• Reach out. A conversation can open the door where you did not expect one.
• Document your progress. It reminds you how far you have come.
• Apply before you feel ready. Confidence grows after you begin, not before.

Final Thoughts

Breaking into tech is hard, but none of us do it alone, even if it feels that way at the beginning. The support I received from others made a real difference. Friends shared openings, mentors gave honest feedback on my CV, and several people I met through LinkedIn introduced me to contacts in their own circles. Practice interviews also helped more than I expected. They showed me where I hesitated, where I needed clearer explanations, and how I could improve the way I presented my experiences. All those small moments added up and made the path forward easier to navigate. The struggles are real, but so is the growth that comes from pushing through. If you’re on the same path, I see you. And if you’ve already made it to the other side, well, I’d love to hear how you did it.