How to be a good mentee

In this studious edition of the Exploring Information Security podcast, Amanda Berlin and Wolfgang Goerlich join me to discuss how to be a good mentee.

After recording the How to find a mentor episode, Wolf (@jwgoerlich) suggested that I do a podcast on how to be a good mentee and to invite Amanda (@infoSystir) on to discuss. I thought this was a great idea. I've heard Amanda rant before about people who ask for advice but don't do anything with it. And that's the sad truth. She's given out advice and taken the time to write up a how to on networking and networking forensics (try it out and let her know), but has yet had a mentee follow through. This episode is meant to guide those looking for their start infosec, asking for advice, how to interact with a mentor.

Be sure to check out Amanda's new book Defensive Security Handbook. Also Converge and BSides Detroit, which Wolf helps run.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Who is a mentee
  • What makes someone a good mentee
  • Experience of being a mentee and mentoring someone
  • Examples of good mentees

How to find a mentor

In this advised edition of the Exploring Information Security podcast, I have three guests join me to discuss how to find a mentor.

First up is Wolfgang Goelrich (@jwgoerlich). Wolf provided me with a video he recently did on how to find a mentor for his stuck in traffic series on YouTube. His focus is on what to look for in a mentor and that where we focused in the interview. He's also written about finding and using a mentor on his website.

Next we have Javvad Malik (@J4vv4d). You may no him from his YouTube channel and the wonderful infosec video he posts there. He also recently started doing the weekly infosec update with Alien Vault, titled Alien Eye In The Sky. In our interview we focus on where to look for a mentor.

Finally we have Johnny Xmas (J0hnnyXm4x). Who gave me some feedback that I didn't expect, don't look for a mentor. He thinks mentors can be placed on pedestals. The result of that can mean overlooking the people you already look at as mentors. 

How to be a better mentor

In this guided episode of the Exploring Information Security podcast, Chris Spehn joins me to discuss, how to be a better mentor.

Chris (@_Lopi_) has some interesting thoughts on mentorship and how the infosec community can be better at it. Here is the tweet from Chris that caught my attention:

Upon further investigation I noted that Chris is creating a game for people trying to break into information security. How this applies? You will have to listen to the episode.

In this episode Chris and I discuss:

  • What is a mentor?
  • Why mentors are importnat
  • How to define a good mentor
  • Mentorship doesn't have to always be a one-on-one thing