TikTok, the favorite app of Gen Z, is trying to inspire the next generation of cybersecurity professionals by collaborating with the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and other significant private and public partners to support the launch of the latest Cybersecurity Education and Career Resource Library – intended to provide guidance and resources to students with interest in this growing field.
TikTok said in a blog post:
“As the new school year and course selections commence, the global workforce is also seeing a record level of professionals looking to make a career change. We believe TikTok provides a platform to spark curiosity in the fast-learning community on TikTok, working to create a larger, more diverse, and inclusive field.”
This initiative aims to combat the increasing demand for cybersecurity during the pandemic and increase diversity. The program contains curated course material for students in kindergarten to 12th Grade, including high-school education. Moreover, the program aims to guide students with career choices in cybersecurity, job training, and mentorship programs.
This initiative is a part of TikTok’s broader agenda to encourage cybersecurity education among youngsters and open new routes to career development directly from the application.
Professional education via the dancing app “TikTok?” something doesn’t fit right!
While TikTok may not be a platform made for professional education, it has actually seen a drastic rise in users seeking career guidance, with educational video, career advice, and guidance content prompting a whole new use for this application.
Just recently, TikTok incorporated a new ‘Resumes’ feature in the US region, which allows users to upload virtual resumes and job pitches through TikTok clips.
The dedicated TikTok Resumes website is used to get inspiration and tips for your personal video pitch and search through posted job openings.
The new feature was inspired by the increasing interest in career-related TikTok content, usually uploaded with the hashtag #careerAdvice that has garnered around 80 million views per day on the platform.
Earlier this year, The Washington Post reported:
“TikTok, widely known for 15-second videos of cranberry juice-drinking skateboarders and group dance challenges, is fast emerging as a force in the job search ecosystem at a time when unemployment remains high, a new generation looks for their first jobs, and pandemic isolation leads to hours of mindless scrolling.”
Keeping this in mind, TikTok can actually become a resourceful platform to help guide the next generation of cybersecurity experts. Earlier in the year, the video-making app also sponsored the US Cyber Games inauguration, an event for recruiting potential cybersecurity talent.
Roland Cloutier, TikTok Chief security officer wrote in the blog post:
“Millions of technical and non-technical opportunities are available for professionals in security, privacy and safety. We’re proud to collaborate with industry leaders like the NCSA to unlock resources and pathways for people of all backgrounds to help us build a safer, more secure world.”
Apart from building the new education platform, TikTok is also organizing a Career fair planned in September. The event will focus on mentoring and recruiting privacy and security leaders. It will be live-streamed on TikTok and LinkedIn – an interesting collaboration of the two completely different social platforms. Who saw that coming? I’m sure no one!
Will TikTok become a new platform for recruiters and job seekers? Will they turn to this app to find the best jobs and candidates?
The prospect looks promising, though, given that TikTok has been increasingly used by the young generation. And as the platform is looking to introduce new consumption habits, it could likely become a more effective professional option in many respects.
And if everything goes well with TikTok’s initiative, Mark Zuckerberg and his allies should better prepare for the tough challenge ahead.