You Need a Jay-z and a Beyoncé: How Sponsors and Mentors Can Supercharge Your Career in Cybersecurity

At the 2024 Grammys, rapper Jay-Z took the stage to accept the Global Impact Award. Instead of the typical awards speech, Jay-Z spent part of that moment not just talking about himself but his wife – Beyoncé, amplifying her accomplishments, defending her work, and advocating for her artistry. While met with criticism by some, the speech embodies the elements that experts characterize as sponsorship. Mentors and sponsors are vital for advancing your career in cybersecurity, especially for women and people of color. One of the often cited reasons in studies for why women leave careers in tech is a lack of mentors. Likewise, sponsors play an even more critical role in helping employees reach the top levels of their organizations by ensuring that their protégés get the high-stakes assignments that are often a prerequisite for C-level jobs. Without it, employees can be left feeling burnt out, frustrated with their career advancements, and ready to leave not just their current company but sometimes the industry as a whole. The roles of mentors and sponsors are often confused and misunderstood – even by mentors and sponsors. This presentation will define the roles of mentors and sponsors and highlight ways they can help people accelerate their careers. Next, we discuss why you need both a mentor and a sponsor by using the examples of Jay-Z and Beyoncé and recent business literature on the topic. We will also explore leaders’ roles and outline how they can be better mentors and sponsors. Then, finally, focus on what you can do to get a mentor and sponsor and how to be a good protégés.