Break in, niche down, skill up, and keep showing up. That was the steady drumbeat from the GovTechCon 2025 keynote in Washington, DC, an event founded by Symoné Berry to open doors for technologists in the government space. GovTechCon 2025 runs September 11–13 in Washington, DC, and was founded by Symoné Berry to grow the GovTech talent pipeline.
The room’s energy in one line
“Closed mouths don’t get fed.” That line from Vinod Akunuri, CEO of JumpStart 2 Tech, summed up the entire session’s posture toward careers: ask for opportunities, ask for feedback, ask for sponsorship, ask for the room. Silence is not a strategy.
The panelists were blunt about the entry point for aspiring cybersecurity pros in govcon: build your network first, then anchor to a platform. Security+ was called out as a door-opener – especially in the government contracting space. From there, choose a stack and move deliberately. If you are wondering where to focus, think cloud. As incident responder Lovethus “Ace” Henry put it, cloud platforms are essential, and staying ahead means getting opinionated about the slice you will own.
AI is not replacing you. Someone using AI might
Founder Symone Berry’s message was optimistic and practical: a wave of work is forming in data center and infrastructure roles that support AI. You do not need to reinvent yourself as an AI engineer. Instead, stack AI literacy on top of your current domain. Learn how your team can implement AI safely, responsibly, and compliantly. The opportunity is in “how,” not hype.
Niche down by who you are, not just what you know
Akunuri offered a useful filter for specialization: your personality. If you are energized by puzzles and escalation, incident response might fit. If you prefer systems thinking and architecture, cloud security or platform engineering may be a better lane. Once you pick the lane, line up the courses and labs to match.
Stay relevant by pressure-testing your skills in the market
Berry’s advice was refreshingly actionable: always be interviewing. Even if you love your current role, a periodic interview cadence forces you to check whether your skills are resonating. If you are not landing screens or callbacks, that is a signal to skill up. Courses and certs are everywhere; the market will tell you if you are on the right track.
Ace called out the biggest risk in government and contracting environments: comfort. It is easy to settle into one billet, one customer, one tech stack. If your end goal requires broader exposure, intentional movement can be a feature, not a bug. Strategic job changes that expand your mission set, clearance portability, or platform depth can accelerate you.
Build your circle: mentors, sponsors, connectors
Akunuri suggested a trio to keep “in rotation”:
- Mentors who help you grow
- Sponsors who put your name on the table
- Connectors who open the door to the next room
His rule of thumb: deliver value first. Share a resource, make an intro, or help with a problem before you ask for anything. Berry added the power of presence: last year, attendees landed jobs simply by being in the room. Conferences, job fairs, and meetups are not “extras.” They are part of the work.
Degrees, certs, and Building a Brand
Education helps, but be strategic. If you pursue a master’s, aim to have an employer sponsor it. Nonprofits can offset certification costs, but only if you put yourself out there to find those programs and make the ask. In the cleared space, remember that some positions are bound by contract language, so verify what the role truly requires before you invest.
Berry’s rule for personal brand: just show up every day. Pick a destination, then document the journey. Post a lab you finished, a concept you learned, or a problem you solved. Consistency compounds, and it makes your “always be interviewing” loop a lot easier.
If you are brand new
Break in through an entry-level IT or security role. Once you are inside, shadow relentlessly. Ask teammates how they got where they are, then map the gap. You will not know your favorite lane right away, and that is normal. Your goal in year one is exposure and momentum.
Beginner-friendly practice grounds:
- TryHackMe
- Hack The Box
- “YouTube University” (you can learn anything you want on YouTube)
Veterans with clearances: play to your strengths
If you already hold a clearance or have relevant certs, lean into momentum. Be open to relocation when it unlocks skill growth, sponsorship, or a role that lines up with your long-term lane. Apply broadly and consistently. And yes, post your resume on ClearanceJobs and keep it current so recruiters can actually find you.
GovTechCon’s message was simple and empowering: opportunity in government tech is real and growing, but it favors the visible, the prepared, and the persistent. Show up, speak up, skill up, and keep moving. If you do that, the rooms you want to be in have a way of opening.
