It’s okay to pursue passions and don’t be afraid to chase the unknown
In this episode, we sit down with Ali Crawford, a Senior Research Analyst at the Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET) at Georgetown University. Ali shares her continuous and unexpected journey, taking listeners from the starting blocks of collegiate track and field to the complex world of national security and cyber policy.
The conversation begins with Ali’s background as a Division II sprinter and hurdler at West Virginia Wesleyan College. She discusses the discipline required to balance academics with athletics and the transition to becoming a "NARP" (Non-Athletic Regular Person) after graduation. Ali reveals how a fascination with international business and a pivotal class taught by a former FBI agent during her Master’s program led her to carve out a niche in intelligence and cyber policy.
Mike and Ali then dive deep into the current state of the cybersecurity workforce. They explore the "broken first rung" of the career ladder, debating why entry-level talent struggles to find work despite the reported massive labor shortages. Ali offers expert insights into the disconnect between higher education and workforce demands, the rise of "ghost postings," and the critical need for skills-based learning over purely theoretical degrees.
For listeners who worry that they haven't found their "calling" yet, Ali’s story offers a powerful reassurance: you don't need a perfect plan to end up in a place your younger self would admire.
Her journey underscores that progress is rarely a straight line. It's "continuous and unexpected," often shaped by the detours we take and the mentors we meet along the way. At its heart, this episode proves that education extends far beyond the classroom; it is found in the courage to embrace uncertainty and the willingness to simply chase the unknown.