infospectivesDo I have any #InfoSec contacts in Texas who can have a wee chat with a lad who is 18 and wants to see what jobs might make sense? He's got a single Mum who has things going on which mean she struggles to work - for the same reasons college isn't really an option. Any thoughts welcome
Hi @jerry, would you be able to boost this? I've kept this account for trade stuff Vs my political nonsense over on mastodon social
Jerry 🦙💝🦙@jerry thank you fella. Do let me know about chucking a bit in the pot for upkeep of this place too. Forgot how good it is to not feel some sense of duty to document govt misadventures like I did in the other place :-)
@infospectives it's good to see you here. I have a donation link here: https://liberapay.com/Infosec.exchange/
@jerry fab, thanks
I have now had such an amazing list of kind offers. When I work DMs out I'll reach out. Thank you all for being the same kind and welcoming community you were to me when I first ventured out of the server room
Now reached out to a few people. Thank you all so much for offers. Now going to hand over to him and see how initial chats focus his mind :-)
Andy Cooper@infospectives what part of texas? big state with a lot of awesome groups.
@integgroll Very good question. This was an ask via my daughter. Admirable lack of info they share. Will ask
Alan Horn
MadHat@deorth @infospectives I am open to having conversations to help people figure out what makes sense for them.
@unspecific @deorth Thank you. That's really kind. I have set him up to talk to a few people, may I circle back when he's had those chats? Trying not to overwhelm him. Didn't expect such a fab response :-)
@infospectives @deorth I’m always around. No worries either way.
@unspecific @deorth Thank you. He is likely gonna have far more questions after this
@infospectives @unspecific glad I could assist :)
Jose Andrade@infospectives I’m not in Texas, but happy to talk to him. I started fixing computers (first paid job in the US was installing a video card!) - I came to this country with no money. Enrolled in Community College and worked as a waiter and cook. Then I a technician for years. Learned programming. Eventually saved up enough money for a Bachelors. Got a job in DevOps. Ended up with a Masters from Harvard and a job at Google. He can do it also!
@jman Incredible backstory. Love the inspiration. Thank you for offering. Will swing back when I have had a chance to catch him
Jacen@jacenrkohler He sounds like a super star and his Mum is worried about him working just to help her out, but he's keen see if he can help. Will circle back when my lass has managed to chat to him if that's ok?
@jacenrkohler hehe, I was gonna ask someone else that. I think we may. I did see a good PSA reminding folk that tagging people in Mastodon DMs will actively suck them into the convo. That detail did stick
@jacenrkohler Got to jump off now as way past my bed time in UK, but wanted to catch folk stateside. Will search up means to DM in the interim
Ellopunk@infospectives I’m in San Antonio and have two 18 year olds who are making their decisions right now in what they want to study. Single mom but they are going the debt / scholarship route. One has been interning at places.
Overall three people in San Antonio willing to hangout and talk.
@Ellopunk Aww that is so kind. Sounds like you have done a great job. I'm not clear enough on his situation to know why he's thinking work vs community college. It may even be a situ where so many folk reaching out gives him a boost and ideas down other paths x
@Ellopunk Got to jump off now, but May I DM you if we can here and I work out how to?
Michael Starks, Logsta🪵@infospectives I'm an infosec leader in Texas who has mentored several younger folks. I'd be happy to help.
@libr8r Thank you so much. Collecting all these super kind offers and will swing back tomorrow if that's OK?
@libr8r poor lad is a bit set back on his heels about prospect of talking to folk. I tried to reassure him no-one needs him to be dead set on next steps or qualified, this is just a chance to see what's out there. He doesn't want to sound like an idiot, bless him. Have reassured him that our community at it's best just wants folk to thrive and find work that open doors and / or fuels them
@infospectives I started with no college degree fixing PCs as a side gig. Little by little, I worked my way up and now I am exactly where I want to be. I have no doubt that with hard work he can overcome life's challenges and have a rewarding career.
🦀 jaighk 🦀@infospectives born and raised in Texas, lived in most of the major areas. Currently in DFW, happy to help.
Only a couple of years in my cyber journey, but my route was non traditional. Eventually got a degree, but didn’t have one when I got into IT or Cyber and even that degree was non-trad (fully online). Happy to share experiences and help him down a similar path.
@jaighk Fantastic, thank you. Also a non- traditional beginner lots of years ago. Will pass it on when daughter gets to catch up with him and will swing back if ok
@infospectives DMs are open, feel free to connect us
Phil Reitinger@infospectives I'm not in Texas but have infosec friends who are - with a bit more info I could ask one of them. My guess is we (GCA) don't have anything applicable but I'd need to know more about skills. One thing perhaps to consider is the military which was a path to infosec for many, but I don't know if that fits the situation.
@reitinger Good ideas, thank you. Will see what floats his boat after a more general chat
CarpeDiemT3ch 
@infospectives I know WiCyS has several Texas chapters and DefCon has a few good chapters too. Happy to connect you with some folks in those orgs if you’re still looking
@CarpeDiemT3ch Thank you! Will circle back soon when I've chatted with him
Static@infospectives I’m super late to the party, but I’m in central Texas and willing to have a chat. I started out at 17 and am only now getting my degree, so I have some experience climbing the ladder with only certs and a ton of self study.
@Static Fantastic. Thank you. Collating all these wonderful offers for him and giving him a pep talk before I DM some folk. Reassuring him you folk have no expectations