Edith Cowan University's Cyber Security Operations Centre is a state-of-the-art training facility for students like Fadzayi Chiwandire.
Sometimes this kind of career hack is just a bit random.
Other times it's dictated by individual circumstances.
But with many career switchers you can see a thread.
From X to Y then Z.
Which is what happened for cyber security consultant, Fadzayi Chiwandire.
Fadzayi went from graphic designer to web developer before realising how much fun she could have protecting apps from hackers as a cyber expert.
Graphic designer turned web developer turned ethical hacker, Fadzayi Chiwandire.
Big brother knows best
Fadzayi is originally from Zimbabwe.
Years ago, she was sure she'd failed her O-Level (like an ATAR).
Fadzayi didn’t want to repeat school, so she followed in her brother's footsteps, putting together a portfolio and going for an interview at her brother's college.
She was accepted and started a Diploma of Graphic Design and New Media.
She didn't even wait to see her O-Level results!
Later, with political turmoil in Zimbabwe she moved to South Africa where she got a job with a web design agency.
A few years later, she transitioned into web development and more serious coding.
And then she began to crave a change.
Why did Fadzayi study Cyber Security?
As a web developer, Fadzayi witnessed some troubling security incidents while working with banks and financial technology clients.
It sparked her interest in cyber security.
And it was a big reason why Fadzayi then moved to Australia.
She wanted to get a degree in cyber security.
Fadzayi chose to study Cyber Security at Edith Cowan University, renowned globally for its cyber security expertise.
And the university helped connect her with her first casual employment in a cyber security job.
She later won a scholarship that included an internship with global cyber security firm CyberCX, where she now works full time.
Better still, Fadzayi also hosts Perth’s first cyber security podcast and encourages students to learn more about the industry.
Oh, and other than this happy ending, Fadzayi did pass her O-Level afterall.
