From insurance to cybersecurity: Caleb’s career reinvention with Lighthouse Labs

Caleb had built a successful career in insurance, but something was missing. He craved work that felt meaningful—something beyond quotas and closing deals. Despite his passion for problem-solving, the limitations of the insurance industry left him feeling stuck. His curiosity led him down an unexpected path: cybersecurity. That's when he discovered Lighthouse Labs and took the leap. Today, Caleb works in IT support with a growing focus on cybersecurity, eager to specialize further and continue developing his professional development.

Caleb shares his time in the insurance industry, where he felt boxed in, to the eye-opening challenges of the bootcamp. He discusses how the program’s hands-on approach and the skills he gained have laid the foundation for his new career and how his previous experience uniquely positioned him for success. Caleb’s story is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to take a leap of faith and make a career change, especially when the right support and resources are in place.

Hitting the ceiling in insurance

For over a decade, Caleb Melchin built a successful career in the insurance industry. As a licensed professional, he worked across various sectors, including home, auto, life, and commercial insurance, gaining experience with local brokers, online direct sales platforms, and commercial insurance brokerages.

"I loved helping others and thrived on the problem-solving aspects of the role. I was also fascinated by the theory behind insurance and often spent hours discussing 'what ifs' and complex cases with industry contacts."

Despite his passion for problem-solving, Caleb began to feel constrained by the industry’s limitations. The nature of insurance meant that many clients focused solely on getting the best deal, which often conflicted with his goal of providing the best possible product for their needs. Further discouraged by restrictive systems limiting his ability to deliver creative solutions, he ultimately hit the ceiling and no longer saw room for growth and fulfillment within the field.

"Over time, I began to feel discouraged, particularly as I realized that a core aspect of many insurance roles—and the main way to grow in the industry—was building and managing your own book of business. This wasn’t the right fit for me."

A wake-up call and a new direction with Lighthouse Labs

When the pandemic led to a layoff, Caleb took it as an opportunity to reevaluate his career. He explored different career paths, took aptitude tests, and considered returning to university. However, the thought of starting over was an overwhelming prospect.

"Traditional learning environments hadn’t been a strength for me in the past, and the idea of taking a leap into something new was intimidating."

After taking another job in insurance and feeling the same lack of fulfillment, he was more convinced than ever that he needed a change.

“The thought of spending the rest of my career in a role that left me unfulfilled was not what I wanted my future to look like.”

Eventually, Caleb’s wife introduced him to Lighthouse Labs. After researching tech careers, he was drawn to cybersecurity—a field that aligned with his analytical skills and love for problem-solving. Lighthouse Labs' intensive, three-month bootcamp and strong Career Services support gave him the confidence to make the leap.

"The three-month commitment felt manageable, and I knew that the tight timelines would keep me focused and engaged. It was the perfect chance to pivot to a career that aligned with my strengths and interests."

During the bootcamp

Caleb knew the bootcamp would be challenging due to the transparency of our Admissions team and felt confident he could take on the challenge, but even with their preparation, it wasn’t something he could truly understand until he was in the program.

"No matter how much I researched or how thoroughly they explained it, I don’t think I fully grasped the challenge until I was in it."

Despite the difficulties of not knowing exactly what to expect, he found the experience - and the challenge - incredibly rewarding. The knowledge he gained formed a strong foundation for his new career, and the program’s hands-on approach helped him adapt quickly to technical concepts.

“I learned so much—not everything I learned was something I loved, but with 20/20 hindsight, I can confidently say that everything was valuable.”

One of the biggest surprises was the sense of community.

"The instructors were fantastic—they brought real-world experience to their teaching and shared anecdotes that helped me see the practical value in assignments, even ones I didn’t particularly enjoy, like report writing. I also appreciated the live lectures, which allowed me to ask lots of questions and engage in discussions, making the material more interactive and engaging."

Collaboration with peers also played a crucial role in his success, strengthening his teamwork and communication skills which have proven useful to him now that he’s in the field. However, the bootcamp wasn’t without its struggles. At one point, he fell behind due to time management challenges, but the Lighthouse Labs team stepped in to provide support and accountability.

"The staff were incredibly supportive—they held me accountable, offered guidance, and gave me the tough love I needed to refocus and get back on track."

Overall, Caleb found his experience in bootcamp to be transformative, pushing him outside of his comfort zone and teaching him resilience on top of the practiceal skills he gained. One of the most valuable practical skills, he shares, is how to research and find information. He’s been able to implement this skill in his new day-to-day, and it’s a skill that will continue to serve him throughout the rest of his career. Maybe more importantly than hard or soft skills, Caleb shares that a meaningful takeaway from the bootcamp is that it ignited a sense of excitement about his new trajectory, and his career is now open to a completely different path.

A new career in cybersecurity

After completing his training at Lighthouse Labs, Caleb successfully transitioned into tech and now works as a contractor in the IT department at NWR, specializing in cybersecurity support. His role involves tackling everything from setting up cybersecurity infrastructure to training employees on digital threats.

“My official job title is Client and Site Services Support, though to be honest, that title doesn’t fully reflect the variety of work I do.”

His responsibilities range from installing Zoom phones to building out a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system from the ground up using Graylog. One of his proudest moments came when he was selected to lead company-wide cybersecurity training, helping employees recognize and respond to phishing and scam attempts. His problem-solving mindset was put to the test when he was called in to analyze logs during a suspected cyber attack. While it turned out to be a false alarm, the experience reinforced his ability to think critically and apply his skills under pressure.

Beyond technical expertise, Caleb’s background in insurance has proven unexpectedly valuable. “My background involved explaining complex and sometimes dry information to clients in an engaging and easy-to-understand way. That experience has been invaluable when breaking down technical concepts for other departments in the company.” His ability to simplify difficult topics has made him a strong communicator within his team, bridging the gap between IT and non-technical staff.

Caleb credits much of his success to adaptability, time management, and collaboration—skills he honed in his previous career. But ultimately, it’s his insatiable curiosity, the same trait that led him into this new career, that will drive his growth in it. His manager recognized that same enthusiasm when hiring him, emphasizing that technical skills can be taught, but passion and dedication are what really set him apart.

“I’m incredibly fortunate to be part of a supportive team with a manager who values both my training at Lighthouse Labs and my passion for the field. They’ve emphasized that while they can teach me technical skills and fill in any gaps, my enthusiasm and dedication were key reasons for hiring me.”

Looking ahead, Caleb is excited to keep growing in the field, embracing both the challenges and rewards that come with it. “In tech, there’s always something new to discover or a challenge to solve, and that’s something I find really exciting.” Even high-pressure moments, like investigating a potential cyber attack, reinforce the importance of being proactive and thorough.

For Caleb, the dynamic nature of cybersecurity is what keeps him engaged. “Failing and trying again is all part of the journey, and that’s what makes this career so exciting and dynamic for me.”

What’s next?

Caleb’s journey from insurance to cybersecurity shows the power of career reinvention. The bootcamp not only gave him the technical skills needed for his new career but also reignited his excitement for the future.

"While I still have a lot to learn, I feel confident that the bootcamp equipped me with the tools I need to succeed and grow." While Caleb has gained broad experience in IT support, he’s eager to dive deeper into cybersecurity. "I don’t want to remain in general IT support forever. I plan to keep learning, gaining certifications, and pursuing opportunities that allow me to specialize more in the cybersecurity field," he shares.

For anyone considering a career change, Caleb’s advice is clear: take the leap. Lighthouse Labs provided him with the structured, supportive environment he needed to transition into tech successfully. Now, he’s working in a career that excites and challenges him every day.

“I know it can be scary, especially the fear that all the work you've done in a previous industry might feel wasted, or that changing your identity might be overwhelming. But it can change. The grass really can be greener on the other side. I never thought I’d enjoy going to work, but now I do, and that’s something I never expected.

Listen to the Admissions and Enrollment team. They’re honest about what to expect, so take their advice seriously. Clear your schedule and be prepared for the time commitment; this bootcamp will require focus and dedication.”

Are you ready to take the next step in your career? Check out our Cybersecurity Bootcamp and see how you can pivot into tech, just like Caleb did.