How NFL Legends and Military Heroes are Tackling New Careers
"Each problem solved is a small victory in keeping the digital world safer. Cybersecurity allows me to continue serving others, much like my time in the military [...]."
The story of Janette Suarez is a perfect example. After serving 10 years in the U.S. Air Force, where she was accustomed to high-pressure environments, an injury sustained during a deployment forced her to seek a new career.
A personal experience - having her identity stolen - then ignited a passion for cybersecurity and protecting others from the same fate.
"Cybersecurity was a natural choice for me," Suarez explained. "In the military, I was trained to lead teams and make critical decisions under pressure, and those skills have been crucial in cybersecurity," she says. "A single mistake can lead to a security breach, so precision and teamwork are essential."
In 2024, Janette earned her spot on Cisco's Dream Team at Super Bowl LVIII, where she worked alongside engineers to set up and secure the event's network infrastructure, from Ethernet cable testing to wireless surveys and threat hunting.
In May, Suarez also graduated from the cybersecurity program at the College of Southern Nevada, one of the first in Nevada to be recognized by the National Security Agency. She was even asked by the college to speak with the Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD) at a White House roundtable event, on campus, hosted by CSN."
"I find immense satisfaction in protecting others, knowing my work prevents breaches and potential harm," she said. "Each problem solved is a small victory in keeping the digital world safer. Cybersecurity allows me to continue serving others, much like my time in the military, by defending against unseen threats."
The abrupt end to his playing days could have left a void, but when Josh found Cisco's Networking Academy Retired Players Program he saw an opportunity to pivot into a field that shared some surprising parallels with football.
The transition wasn't easy, but Josh was drawn to the ever-evolving nature of technology and the promise of a stable, long-term career. He threw himself into the Networking Academy's curriculum, tackling subjects like network infrastructure and cybersecurity protocols, and became the first player to complete all the self-paced courses.
When their first career ends, many athletes and veterans face a familiar challenge: "What's next?"
For former NFL linebacker Josh Carraway and U.S. Air Force veteran Janette Suarez, the answer has been a journey into the tech world, thanks to Cisco's Networking Academy (NetAcad).
While the program is designed to teach IT and cybersecurity skills, its impact goes beyond the technical. It's about offering a playbook for a second career that leverages the traits forged in their first.
Through a partnership with the NFL and its Player Care Foundation, Cisco is making tech education accessible to retired athletes and military veterans, opening doors to careers in IT, cybersecurity, and network engineering.
Since expanding its reach in 2023 to offer self-paced courses specifically tailored for retired players, the program has enrolled over 70 former NFL athletes, with 15% of those players already completing one or more of the courses.
It's a long-term investment in the potential of these individuals, empowering them to translate their on-field skills into the tech industry. And it's working.
By - Front Office Sports
Posted - December 3, 2024
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This earned him a spot on Cisco's Dream Team at AT&T Stadium, where he assisted with managing the stadium's network on game days - staying connected to the sports world, albeit from a different vantage point.
"My NFL experience taught me that mistakes are inevitable, but what matters is how you respond and fix them - that's where success comes from," said Carraway. "The same goes for the tech world. Playing in the NFL demanded dedication and determination, so anyone who hires me will know I approach every challenge with the same focus as perparing for a game on Sunday."
For Josh, being part of the Dream team was more than just a career step; it was a way to bring the same dedication and work ethic that defined his NFL career into a new arena. Now, as he looks to inspire other athletes to follow a similar path, he wants to show that the skills developed in sports don't just fade away -- they can be repurposed to tackle new challenges.
Janette Suarez
NFL IT Apprentice
Cisco's Networking Academy doesn't promise an easy ride, but for former athletes like Josh, it's another chance to tackle a different kind of challenge. And for veterans like Janette, it's about a mission that extends beyond a career.
The sports world loves a good comeback story, and Cisco and the NFL are helping to deliver just that. For those who thought the final chapter was written when their first career ended, the Networking Academy is showing that a new playbook is always just a few clicks away.
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