From College Dropout to Information System Security Engineer FT Leslie Moriba

Welcome to Tech Woke everyone! In today's compelling episode, titled "From College Dropout to Information System Security Engineer," we are thrilled to feature Leslie Moriba, a dynamic force in IT and cybersecurity. Leslie's journey is nothing short of inspiring - from handling tier-one IT support to founding his own company, King's Tech Consulting, and now dreaming of breaking into government contracting. Alongside Christopher Okpala, we’ll delve into Leslie's unique career path, emphasizing the vital role of communication, networking, and soft skills in tech. We’ll discuss the evolution of Leslie’s role in the Navy, the importance of certifications, and the impact of being a young parent on his career choices. Prepare for an episode filled with valuable insights on navigating the tech landscape, overcoming challenges, and staying true to oneself. Plus, don't miss out on Leslie's tips for effective job searching and career advancement in cybersecurity. So, let’s dive right in!

### Summarized Key Points

**1. Leslie's Journey**

- Dropped out, became Information System Security Engineer with Brooke's guidance.

**2. Roles in IT**

- Explained system admin vs. engineer roles; Leslie's continuous monitoring in Navy.

**3. Government Tech**

- Government uses AI, cloud, RPA; Leslie creates architecture for system admins.

**4. Communication in Tech**

- Stressed importance of communication and respect in cybersecurity.

**5. Skills & Progression**

- Pursues certifications, starts King's Tech Consulting aiming at gov contracting.

**6. Career & Personal Life**

- Balances career growth and fatherhood, supports daughter.

**7. Career Advice**

- Seek professional help, avoid complacency, promote consulting on social platforms.

**8. Earning More**

- Limited ways to earn in gov contracting; know your worth.

**9. Project Engagement**

- Take on extra projects, work with cross-functional teams.

**10. Cybersecurity Shift**

- Got security clearance, moved to Navy management consulting.

**11. Early Interests**

- Tech interest from young; high school sports; mother wanted pharmacy/medical.

**12. Early Career**

- Worked service desk, learned ticket escalations, network and BitLocker issues.

**13. Career Ladder**

- Found LinkedIn job, became junior system admin at Vectrus, learned cloud tech.

**14. Networking & Skills**

- Emphasizes networking, gained security certifications, Azure and AWS skills.

**15. Education**

- Dropped Norfolk State, focused on security cert, passed Security Plus exam.

**16. Service Desk Role**

- Enterprise Service Desk at FEMA, managed public trust clearance.

**17. Sponsorship**

- Episode sponsored by NordVPN.

**18. On-the-job Learning**

- Uptime monitoring role, tackled imposter syndrome.

**19. System Admin Role**

- Supported Navy, used Nessus and Stig viewer for compliance.

**20. Networking**

- Importance of networking, evolved to system solutions expert.

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