HOU.SEC.CON. 2025 Mentorship Track

HOU.SEC.CON. is thrilled to expand our Mentorship Track in 2025, offering a more immersive, hands-on experience for both mentors and mentees - beginning at HOU.SEC.CON. 2025 in Room 330.

The Mentorship Workshop is a two-day program led by industry leader Mario Chiock, designed to guide participants on how to be effective mentors or mentees.

Day One features separate half-day sessions for mentors and mentees, focusing on the value of mentorship, how to offer or seek support, and what mentorship means within the cybersecurity industry. Using the completed questionnaires, HOU.SEC.CON. will thoughtfully pair each mentor with a mentee.

Day Two features a dedicated two-hour block that includes a panel discussion with former mentors and mentees sharing their experiences, followed by time for newly matched pairs to meet, connect, and lay the foundation for a successful mentorship year.

Requirements and Terms

To participate in the HOU.SEC.CON. Mentorship Program, all applicants must meet the following criteria:

Conference Registration: You must be registered to attend HOU.SEC.CON.
Workshop Attendance: Participation in the mentorship workshop outlined below at HOU.SEC.CON. is required.
Mentor Eligibility: Mentors must have at least two years of professional experience in the cybersecurity field.
Mentee Eligibility: Mentees must be actively pursuing a career in cybersecurity. This includes current students, individuals transitioning into the field through certifications or apprenticeships, or those already employed in a cybersecurity role.
Program Commitment: All participants are expected to remain active in the program for a minimum of two years.
Progression: After two years, mentees are expected to transition into mentor roles to support the next generation of participants.

How to Participate

Mentors

Mentor Registration - Mentors MUST register for these sessions

Mentor Part 1: Leave a Legacy: Become the Mentor You Once Needed
Building the Next Generation of Technologists: The Power of Experience
Mentorship: When Certifications, Experience, A Degree and skill are not enough...

Mentor Part 1

Building the Next Generation of Technologists

Mentorship

Mentor Questionnaire

All mentors are required to complete the questionnaire below. Your responses will help us match you with a mentee you’re best suited to support.

Mentor Questionnaire

Mentee

Mentee Registration - Mentees MUST register for these sessions:

Finding Your Way Up: A Candid Look at the Road to Leadership
Ready to Be Mentored? Start your Cybersecurity Journey Here

Mentee Questionnaire

All mentees are required to complete the questionnaire below. Your responses will help us match you with a mentor that will be best suited to support you.

Mentee Questionnaire Coming in September

FAQ's

What does a mentor do?
- Mentors support, encourage, and guide their mentees through honest, constructive feedback. They serve as role models in cybersecurity and help mentees unlock their potential through a strong, trusted relationship. Mentors can also assist with networking, certifications, and practical development.
Why become a mentor?
- Becoming a mentor is a powerful way to grow professionally enhancing your leadership skills, expanding your network, and gaining insight into the next generation of the workforce. It also offers opportunities for self-reflection, deeper engagement with educational and career pathways, and the chance to make a lasting impact on someone’s life.
I'm in the middle of my career, can I be a mentor and a mentee?
- Yes, the mentorship program supports practitioners at every level. Participants can provide their wisdom and support to a more junior mentee while simultaneously receiving guidance from their own mentor.