INTERVIEW WITH OUR ENGAGEMENT MANAGER, MADI COOK

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POSTED ON 07-November-24

We're excited to introduce Madi Cook, Canberra Cyber Hub’s new Engagement Manager! Madi has gained a diverse skill set throughout her career, combining her passion for learning, development, and people. With experience spanning from travel and recruitment to project coordination, Madi is eager to apply her skills to help foster growth in the cyber security space. Outside of work, Madi is an avid traveller and enjoys connecting with others, reading, and exploring new culinary experiences.

 

Read on to get to know Madi and learn about her journey leading to her time with the Canberra Cyber Hub.

 

Can you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your role and passions?

I am Madi Cook, the new Engagement Manager at Canberra Cyber Hub. I’m passionate about learning and development and believe that with the right mindset, you can achieve anything. I love connecting with people and have been recognised as 'Team Player of the Year' in a previous role.

On a personal note, I have travelled to 41 countries. I am a huge foodie and enjoy trying new recipes in the kitchen, I also enjoy reading; my favourite author is an Australian named Matthew Reilly.

Can you share your career path and how it led you to join the Canberra Cyber Hub?

Absolutely! My career has been a bit of a journey over the last few years. I was a Travel Agent for six years and worked my way up to 2IC in a busy store. When COVID-19 hit, I had to shift gears, moving into Recruitment where I supported the ICT team, which introduced me to the industry. My passion for learning and development lead to my promotion as Company Trainer, but wanting to join the industry myself, I moved into a Project Coordinator role working for a software development company. Shortly after I was approached to apply for the role at Canberra Cyber Hub - and I haven’t looked back since.

How have your previous positions and acquired skills assisted in moving to this new role?

My diverse career background has been incredibly helpful in this role. From organising and coordinating multiple month-long travel itineraries, to learning all about government recruiting, I’ve developed strong skills in organisation, communication and a passion for learning and education. Working with ICT contractors exposed me to the different roles within the ecosystem, and how these professionals worked to get where they were in their careers. My project coordination experience showed me diverse methods of working and new ways of connecting with others while learning all about the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC).

What excites you most about working with the Canberra Cyber Hub and the cyber security industry?

I’m excited to connect with businesses, people, and students to help them thrive. I love that I’m in a role where I can truly make a difference. Cyber security is a field that interests me, and I enjoy learning how career transitioners like myself can enter this industry.

What is one thing you are looking forward to achieving with Canberra Cyber Hub?

I would love to become a mentor long term and help guide others in the ICT industry. I look forward to seeing and helping the Cyber Hub grow, and the larger ecosystem develop in the next few years.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career in cyber security, especially if they come from a different industry?

Don’t give up - it’s definitely possible! It can be overwhelming figuring out where to start, but it’s important to focus on highlighting your transferable skills when applying for roles and exploring relevant courses. Personally, connecting with the community has been helpful; I have met mentors who pointed me in the right direction, and I started by taking small steps, whether it was entering an entry-level position or taking short courses to upskill.

What’s something about the cyber industry that surprised you since joining?

How friendly and welcoming everyone is. You hear a lot of horror stories online from women transitioning to ICT careers, and while that is the experience of some, I personally have always had a supportive team. I would not be where I am today without the connections and mentoring I have received from my peers.