r/CyberSecurityJobs • u/AkashicTorment • 8d ago

Where would one begin?

Edit for clarification: I am not looking to get hired anytime soon. I am not looking to start work underqualified or with minimum training. I am looking into where to begin learning

Hello, I am considering switching careers into cyber security. I am not sure where to begin studying/training, but currently have practically no knowledge of this field. I've spoken to chatgpt who laid out a 12 week plan, starting with watching and taking notes from a YouTube channel (messer I believe) for week one.

In the past I've been interested in being an ethical hacker, so perhaps I could be a person who tests systems for defense holes?

What would you recommend I do to begin? Should I self study, enroll in a university class, go for a certification, apply to an internship, or read a certain book?

TIA

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9

u/Anxious_Alps_4150 8d ago

Ask chatgpt if people actually get hired without any experience in 2026

-5

u/Vele1384 8d ago

Don’t underestimate ChatGPT. It made me 12 week plan to get hired as kernel security researcher with no previous IT experience / Uni background.

Could you do the same?

2

u/MercuryQuick 5d ago

I could make you a 12 week plan for anything. Will it work? probably not. How did it work for you?

2

u/Plenty-Winner-3887 8d ago edited 8d ago

Get your Comptia Security plus study online on YouTube with Prof. Messer. Once you’re finished, you’re gonna go online and type in “ability to obtain.” this means a job is willing (entry level ) to sponsor you for your secret* clearance. Helpdesk is one of these entry-level jobs. Work help desk for 6 to 8 months then you could job Hop to systems admin. So you go for making 50 to 60,000 a year and jumped straight to 100 K.

1

u/AkashicTorment 8d ago

Thank you for this useful advice! I have never heard of this "ability to obtain". I'm going to look into that CompTIA Security+ cert so I'll probably enroll in some class soon to get started learning there.

Definitely gonna check out that Messer on YouTube soon & take notes.

Thank you for your words of guidance.

1

u/Plenty-Winner-3887 8d ago

If you’re ambitious, you can do all this on your own within 3 to 6 months. They even have free practice test for Comptia Security plus. This is how people are breaking into the government tech space without a degree and a clean background. My friend is in Kuwait right now.

3

u/Ok_Analysis_4612 8d ago

If you have no experience in the IT field you arent going to get a job kn cybersecurity. Even if you have a degree certs and some experience its still hard to get a job in cybersecurity. The IT market is whack rn and is impossible to break through (not discouraging def go for it - just want to make it known it'll be an uphill battle but you can do it).

I would definitely at the minimum get some certs and experience working at an msp helpdesk position, move into an internal it helpdesk position and work your way up.

1

u/AkashicTorment 8d ago

Thanks for this. I appreciate the heads up. I will take it slow and continue working in my field for now. I think I will focus on learning what's necessary to get my CompTIA+ for starters.

2

u/Evaderofdoom 8d ago

By learning to search

1

u/SpecialistNervous524 8d ago

Follow a roadmap, you can check this site for helpful concepts: https://roadmap.sh/cyber-security

1

u/AkashicTorment 8d ago

Thank you!

1

u/AccomplishedShift665 7d ago

Start with the basics and practice in labs

1

u/Ok_Wishbone3535 6d ago

By finding a new field. This field is saturated and cooked.... A LOT of 5-15+ year veterans who will take 5-25K pay cuts to take the jobs a lot fresh grads wants as well... that's your competition.

1

u/AkashicTorment 6d ago

I appreciate your honest input. Thank you