Abstract:In the realm of cybersecurity, a chronic shortage of qualified and skilled workforce presents challenges for organizations planning to fill vacant professional roles. While existing literature addresses the demand for technology jobs broadly, a notable gap exists in exploring the nuances that facilitate successful career transitions into cybersecurity sector as veterans. This qualitative research endeavors to uncover the impact of life and work on the career decision of veterans trained to become cybersecurity technicians. Guided by the social cognitive career theory by Lent, Brown, and Hackett, along with the behavioral decision theory developed by Edwards, the paper focuses on self-knowledge and behavior, delving into the lived experiences prompting veterans to make the conversion to cybersecurity. 15 individuals, formerly in military service and now in cybersecurity roles and training, participated in video-conference interviews, transcription review and member-checking. Three central themes unveil the life and motivations of veterans to transition to cybersecurity. The findings shed light on valuable insights for education, informed recruitment, human resource leadership as well as strategical and practical implications of decision-making in the cybersecurity sector at the organizational level.