A Rookie’s Guide to the Cybersecurity World

Hi, I’m Peyton! It’s nice to meet you. As my time at Eskenzi PR & Marketing comes to an end, I’ve found myself doing a bit of reflecting. In total, I, along with my AMAZING fellow intern Kelsey, have been with Eskenzi for six weeks, and while that might not seem long, when you’re dropped into an industry moving at this pace, it feels like you’re sprinting. Out of breath, a little disoriented… but growing every single day. I remember the day I found out I was interviewing for Eskenzi. I immediately panicked; it was for cybersecurity PR. To be honest, it hadn’t even occurred to me that cybersecurity PR even existed. But, I was curious. And open. And I was excited – not just to learn about public relations, but to understand how communication works in such a high-speed industry. As I began to find my footing, I realized a lot of what I was learning wasn’t just helpful for me, it felt universal. So, here are a few things I’ve learned from my brief time in cyber. Things I think anyone, in any field, can appreciate.

• Being young doesn’t mean being dumb.

One of the first things I learned here was that age or lack of experience doesn’t define your value. It’s easy to shrink back or assume your ideas don’t matter because you’re still figuring things out. But I’ve come to see that being young means bringing a new perspective and fresh energy, both of which are immensely valuable. If you let the idea of being “young” define you, it can start to shape how you show up. You hesitate. You convince yourself you’re not ready. Not because you’re not capable, but because you believed you weren’t. Confidence doesn’t come from knowing everything; it comes from trusting that what you bring to the table has value, even if you’re still learning.

• Don’t make assumptions.

I assumed cybersecurity would be dry. Cold. Maybe a little impersonal. But what I found was the opposite: it’s fast, creative and full of people who are not only brilliant, but genuinely kind, open and fun. It made me realize how easily assumptions can limit you, shaping how you see something before you’ve even stepped into it. But when you stay open to new ideas, change, even to being wrong, you give yourself room to grow in ways you might not have seen coming. 

• You don’t have to win every interaction. 

There’s often this kind of pressure, especially when you’re new, to prove yourself in every interaction. To have the best idea or the sharpest insight. But I’ve learned that not every interaction needs to be a performance. You don’t have to impress every person in the room to be valuable. And honestly, sometimes the best thing you can do is just listen and be present. I think there’s something powerful about showing up with curiosity instead of certainty. Growth stems from being curious and engaged, not always being right.

• Don’t just work for approval – work to make yourself proud.

Sometimes, it’s easy to get caught up trying to please others instead of focusing on what matters to you. But the most important work is the kind that makes you feel proud. Work that makes you feel accomplished. I found the most fulfilling work came when I asked myself: Am I proud of this? That shift gave my work more meaning. It’s not about ignoring others’ opinions, it’s about balancing their input with your own standards. When you’re proud of what you create, it shows. And that’s what keeps you motivated.

• You make your own opportunities. Take the chance to learn.

One of the most valuable things I picked up on was the importance of taking initiative. Asking to try something brand new or offering help even when you’re not sure you know exactly how to do it yet. Some of the most impactful parts of this internship came from moments where I didn’t wait for instruction, I just started. Those small changes to get involved often turned into real opportunities to grow, and reminded me that in any industry, you don’t always have to wait for permission. Sometimes, you just have to start. If you’ve made it this far, thank you. You’ve given me the opportunity to talk about this internship, which has been a lot of things for me; a confidence boost, a crash course in cybersecurity, and a reminder that it’s okay to be new at something. Being new doesn’t mean you don’t belong, it just means you’re at the start of something exciting.  I’m incredibly proud of the work I got to contribute during my time here. From creating social media posts and drafting a press release, to supporting research projects and joining client meetings with Keeper Security, even conducting surveys at Infosec, each task allowed me to learn and grow into the person preaching to you now. But more than the projects, it’s the incredible people and role models at Eskenzi, like Charley and Tara, who made this experience truly special. The team’s support, openness and expertise made me feel like a valued part of something truly important.  Thank you to everyone at Eskenzi for welcoming me in and trusting me to stretch beyond what I thought I could do. I may have started this internship unsure of where I fit in, but I’m leaving with a clearer sense of what I’m capable of, and a curiosity about what comes next. Thanks for reading, Peyton♥️