Suzanne Ricci Speaks at BSides Rochester on Building Real-World Cybersecurity Experience

Tampa, FL – March 21, 2026 - Suzanne Ricci, CEO of Computer Coach and a workforce development strategist, recently presented at the BSides Rochester.  BSides Rochester is a cybersecurity conference, where she delivered a session focused on helping aspiring professionals gain practical experience and enter the cybersecurity field.

Her presentation, “Gaining Experience in Cybersecurity Without Waiting for a Job,” addressed one of the most common challenges facing new professionals: the gap between employer expectations and real-world experience.

Ricci highlighted how traditional career paths are shifting, particularly in technology fields where employers increasingly prioritize demonstrated skills over credentials alone. Her session provided attendees with actionable strategies to begin building experience immediately, even without formal job opportunities.

“Employers are looking for proof of skills and the ability to solve real problems,” Ricci explained. “The challenge is that many professionals are waiting for an opportunity instead of creating one. That’s where mindset and strategy make the difference.”

Rethinking Experience in Today’s Job Market

During the session, Ricci emphasized that the concept of “experience” has evolved. In today’s hiring environment, hands-on projects, personal labs, public work, and community involvement can all serve as credible indicators of skill.

She outlined practical approaches professionals can use to build that experience, including:

• Creating home lab environments to simulate real-world scenarios
• Participating in cybersecurity competitions and hands-on challenges
• Contributing to open-source projects
• Publishing blogs, guides, and technical walkthroughs
• Engaging in freelance or volunteer cybersecurity work

These strategies help professionals demonstrate capability while building a portfolio that employers can evaluate.

Bridging the Gap Between Training and Employment

Ricci’s work at Computer Coach focuses on helping individuals move beyond theory and into practical application. Her presentation reinforced a core principle of workforce development: training alone is not enough without clear pathways to apply those skills.

She encouraged attendees to take a proactive approach to career growth by making their work visible and engaging with the broader professional community.

“The professionals who move forward fastest are the ones who make their skills visible,” Ricci said. “When you can show what you’ve built, how you think, and how you solve problems, you shift from being a candidate to being a contributor.”

Supporting Career Growth Through Practical Training

Computer Coach integrates these principles into its training and career coaching programs, combining technical instruction with strategies that help individuals translate skills into real job opportunities.

By focusing on hands-on learning, portfolio development, and career navigation, the organization helps professionals build both the technical and strategic skills needed to succeed in today’s workforce.

Ricci’s presentation at BSides Rochester reflects a broader shift in workforce development, where practical experience, visibility, and continuous learning are becoming essential components of career success in technology fields.

Computer Coach is a Tampa-based training organization focused on workforce development, professional certification, and technology training. For more than 25 years, the organization has helped individuals build in-demand skills in areas such as cybersecurity, networking, cloud computing, project management, and digital marketing.

Through instructor-led training and career-focused guidance, Computer Coach helps individuals and organizations develop practical skills and adapt to the changing demands of the modern workplace.

Whether you're looking to switch careers or take the next step in your current career, our certified career coaches & strategists can help you explore a wide range of possibilities and learn how our training courses can help you reach your career goals. 

5005 N. Hesperides Street
Tampa, Florida 33614

(813) 947-0552

Copyright © Your Company.  All Rights Reserved.