Who am I? Where did I come from? How in the world did I go from working towards National Board certification to pivoting into cybersecurity? What am I doing here? Great questions! Let me add some context.

Who am I? Where did I come from? How in the world did I go from working towards National Board certification to pivoting into cyber security? What am I doing here?

If you would has asked me two years ago where I would be today in my career, I probably would have said that I was completing National Boards and trying to move into an administrative role, however, that is not what happened. Honestly, I had been thinking of a career change since 2007. The problem and challenge were I did not what else I wanted to in terms of my career. I thought about educational consulting, but I wanted something different. I just did not know what it was at the time. I certainly was not thinking about cyber security or anything in the technology field. I was that person that was quick to say, "I'm not a technical person! I cannot help you troubleshoot anything!" I thought of careers in tech as though is was something for those math and science folk, certainly not an elementary school reading teacher. I am a veteran turned public school teacher now transitioning into cyber security.

Fast forward 15 years...I was still a classroom teacher with a doctorate trying to move into a leadership position. Sadly, it was not happening. I figured that if I completed National Board certification that would boost my chances of being chosen to be an administrator. Well, one thing happened that changed my trajectory...I ended up having some personal health challenges that was making what I do harder and...I had to slow down and sit down. I was doing too much to pursue a job that appeared to be out of reach. My husband pulled me aside and told me to stay home until I figured out what I wanted to do next. That started my journey into looking at cyber security as a career. I started off with the (bare) basics and grew from there. Even now as I continue to learn and grow, I have no regrets. I have embraced this journey. I am looking forward to where it leads me.

Connect with LaConti on LinkedIn

Who am I?

I am wife, former public school teacher, security advocate and cyber security professional. I hail from the great state of Louisiana (The Boot). I am married to Michael, the other Dr. Bryant.

I am a professional (in all regards).

I believe in setting high expectations for myself and my performance. My goal is to help women veterans and teachers transition into cybersecurity. Women of color make up approximately 17% of the cybersecurity career field. My goal is to share my journey in order to create a pathway for women of color to follow in order to transition into this vast, every changing career field.