334: Broaden Your Knowledge Base and Continually Learn with Craig Goodwin

In this week’s show, Phil talks to Craig Goodwin, the co-founder of Cyvatar.ai, a game-changing cybersecurity firm that makes cybersecurity simple for businesses by providing fully managed, customer-centric security solutions.

He is a Certified Chief Information Security Officer and a Certified Information Systems Security Professional, having held the role of Global Chief Security Officer for a number of large public and private sector organisations.

Craig talks about why we should go wide instead of deep when it comes to knowledge. He also tells us why it’s okay to admit when we don’t know the answers.

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

 

TOP CAREER TIP

Always go wider rather than deeper. If you have aspirations in your chosen branch of the industry, try to broaden your knowledge base rather than specializing too much.

 

WORST CAREER MOMENT

During a lull in his personal life, Craig found himself struggling to deliver at his best. His biggest regret was allowing this to continue. As a result, his reputation suffered, but it has led him to realise that honesty is important.

 

CAREER HIGHLIGHT

After enjoying a successful corporate career, Craig was given an incredible chance to grow a security business into a powerful concern, allowing him to utilize his creativity and imagination.

 

THE FUTURE OF CAREERS IN I.T

Technology is changing the face and the operation of every single business type in the world. This means a huge uptick in opportunities available to people.

 

THE REVEAL

What first attracted you to a career in I.T.? – Gaining a background in the defense world and seeing how essential it is.

What’s the best career advice you received? – You don’t know everything.

What’s the worst career advice you received? – That specializing is crucial.

What would you do if you started your career now? – Craig would look for hot industries and look for more experience-related growth.

What are your current career objectives? Craig’s current objectives are much more business-focussed, including seeing to it that his people are well taken care of.

What’s your number one non-technical skill? – Communication.

How do you keep your own career energized? – Keep moving forward, and always be learning – professionally and personally.

What do you do away from technology? – Fitness and healthy pursuits, such as cycling, running and exercising.

 

FINAL CAREER TIP

Stay wide in your knowledge, continually learn and never be afraid to admit you don’t know something.

 

BEST MOMENTS

(6:40) – Craig – “It’s incredibly important to know a bit about a lot of different things”

(12:15) – Craig - “Having an openness with a team, and with a group of people is really powerful”

(14:04) – Craig – “The digitalization of everything is growing exponentially”

(14:41) – Craig – “Anyone that comes into the tech or IT world now has an opportunity to be in every single sector – to influence and change the very fabric of the way society is being run”

 

ABOUT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS

Phil Burgess is an independent IT consultant who has spent the last 20 years helping organizations to design, develop, and implement software solutions.  Phil has always had an interest in helping others to develop and advance their careers.  And in 2017 Phil started the I.T. Career Energizer podcast to try to help as many people as possible to learn from the career advice and exper