“My advice to those trying to get started in IT would be to create a blueprint for what your journey will look like.” – Brad Chaffee
Alumni Success Story with Brad Chaffee, Insider Threat Analyst at Randstad Digital
By MAXX Potential
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Brad worked as an Apprentice for over a year, gaining valuable on-the-job tech experience before he exited MAXX Potential to work at Randstad Digital as an Insider Threat Analyst.
What were you doing before MAXX Potential? What drew you to pursue a career in technology?
I decided to pursue a career in Cybersecurity after receiving a life-altering kidney transplant in 2017. Between the transplant and joining MAXX Potential in late 2023, I earned a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity in May of 2021 and followed it up with a Cybersecurity Bootcamp certificate, from University of Richmond, in December of 2022. Receiving a transplant helped me think about how I wanted to take full advantage of my new gift, which I’m excited to say I followed through on.
Can you talk about what you’re currently working on? What are some of your job responsibilities?
I assist in developing and reviewing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and updating them as needed. I triage alerts using our Insider Threat Management (ITM) tool to identify all probable risks for data exfiltration, based on user behavior and flagged activity. Once a violation is confirmed, I start the escalation process by completing a summary of the activity to be handed up the chain for further review. Additionally, I participate with the team on special investigations, as well as work on rule-tuning projects that help us eliminate having to sift through false positives, so our triaging efforts can be more focused on what matters.
What’s the most rewarding thing about your current role?
The most rewarding thing about my current role is that I have the opportunity to put all of my hard work, blood, sweat, and tears to good use. It’s something I, at times, doubted being possible. I am so excited to be part of a team that provides an uplifting company culture, which encourages professional growth and development. I also have an investigative mindset and that is something I get to use daily in my new role.
How do you keep your skills up to date? What’s the best way to learn new concepts, technologies, programming languages, etc.?
I am constantly and consistently working to learn new skills and gain certifications in my spare time. In my year working as an Apprentice with MAXX, I completed the Google Cybersecurity certificate, ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity certificate, and the CompTIA Security+ certification. I became a huge fan of using MAXXGPT to help me study by utilizing it as an expert assistant, which was very helpful. It helped me study more efficiently and streamline my study efforts, despite the time constraints from various family obligations.
What’s the best piece of advice you can give to someone early in their IT career or looking to get their start?
My advice to those trying to get started in IT would be to create a blueprint for what your journey will look like. A foundational understanding should be the primary focus until you determine what career path is right for you.
- Be organized; update your blueprint regularly.
- Be purposeful; don’t waste time on skills outside of your chosen path.
- Be diligent; starting a new career is hard, so do not give up.
There are times where you will doubt yourself and your plan. KEEP AT IT! Inject yourself into local groups and meetups that will help you get to know other like-minded individuals. Build a network of peers. It matters more than you think.
Finally, gaining valuable work experience is a key factor – alongside developing a robust peer network – to landing your first job. For me, MAXX Potential was a gamechanger. I was able to gain valuable work experience, but also made professional connections that helped me land my first career role.
Are you a business interested in your own GPT? Check out our Automation Solutions.
Are you an aspiring technologist who’s interested in becoming or working with a MAXX Apprentice? Attend Career Lab or explore MAXX Business Solutions!
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