newbeee

markvb

Hello all!

I am new to this forum and this "world of IT". I had messaged a bunch a random people on linkedin and was told to join, so here I am lol. A little about myself, I currently work in sales and part of my job is some help desk but I am looking to break into the cyber security field and grow from there. Currently looking at WGU and trying to decide which program to go with and start my journey. Any advice is much appreciated. A question for those already in the field, would it be hard for me to get into? I just want to create a path for me that works best for my situation, where I am sort of stuck now is leaving my company for a different role in IT to gain more " hands on" or direct experience while pursuing the degree or should I continue at my current position and focus on the degree?

mikey88

Welcome to the forums! Your options are pretty much to either get a bachelors in Cybersecurity degree or work your way up from the bottom with a few years of experience in systems and network administration. A good place to start is CompTIA A+/Network+/Security+ certifications.

There are virtually no entry level Cybersecurity jobs as those require years of training and experience. 

Johnhe0414

Welcome to the forum @markvb!

I understand how hard it is to transition from one career to another - one of the toughest decisions I had to make at the time. I had 10 years vested in the company (retail) and supervisor position (with good benefits). I took pay cut with less benefits and the company folded 9 months later.

However, that experience got me my next job (hard to believe, but i was hired with just nine months of experience, Network + and MCP certification). The position was already filled with someone with no experience and the IT manager asked me if i could start the following Monday. Situations will be different for everyone, but i have sat on interview panels and seen candidates break into IT with little experience. Some employers are looking for an individual that will be a  good fit into their organization (a team player) and prefer to "train" them in IT, rather than hire someone who may have extensive experience but a lacking personality.

Good luck to you!

MrsWilliams

markvb said:

Hello all

I am new to this forum and this "world of IT". I had messaged a bunch a random people on linkedin and was told to join, so here I am lol. A little about myself, I currently work in sales and part of my job is some help desk but I am looking to break into the cyber security field and grow from there. Currently looking at WGU and trying to decide which program to go with and start my journey. Any advice is much appreciated. A question for those already in the field, would it be hard for me to get into? I just want to create a path for me that works best for my situation, where I am sort of stuck now is leaving my company for a different role in IT to gain more " hands on" or direct experience while pursuing the degree or should I continue at my current position and focus on the degree?

What caters towards your interests is what program you should consider at WGU. What you didn't mention is what have you completed education wise, if any. I don't know if you are talking about doing undergrad or grad school at WGU. Either way, look at program and classes you are most interested in, then pursue them. I would never suggest someone attempting a degree just to get a degree. When the passion and interest exists, an individual will give 110%. When the passion and interest doesn't exist, a person will find themselves barely passing or worse failing a class. It's been numerous people have have dropped out of WGU. Go to Reddit and spend a month reading WGU reviews  I suggest going over to that site before you apply to WGU. You'll get wayyyyyy more advice and hear wayyyy more experiences on the degree programs and individual classes than you will here. 

You are working in sales doing some help desk but looking to get more hands on. Ok, you wanted me to ask the question Hugh? What help desk related activities are you doing? 

Personally if you are looking to get into hands on IT experience of any sort I think a certification would benefit you more than a degree. Do jobs exist that have mandatory degree requirements..yes. Sometimes and I do mean sometimes those jobs you can get with experience. Then again, some jobs if it says you need X degree if you don't have it you'll never hear back, they meant what they said.. BUT.  the jobs that say you need A, B, C, or D certification, really means you need A, B, C, or D certification. Experience will never trump certification in any jobs I have ever had or heard of.  With that being said, WGU enables you to obtain certifications. I guess that is the good news.

MrsWilliams

mikey88 said:

Welcome to the forums! Your options are pretty much to either get a bachelors in Cybersecurity degree or work your way up from the bottom with a few years of experience in systems and network administration. A good place to start is CompTIA A+/Network+/Security+ certifications.

There are virtually no entry level Cybersecurity jobs as those require years of training and experience. 

I don't agree. But.... I'll show you why I don't agree ->
Entry Level Cyber Security Analyst - The only requirement is a Bachelor Degree
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=5ea49a3c371edfef&tk=1dib1tsae0j0p003&from=serp&vjs=3

Cybersecurity Systems Engineer Entry Level - The only requirement is an engineering degree and a pulse basically
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=a85e2b9781f6a8ac&tk=1dib1tsae0j0p003&from=serp&vjs=3

Cyber Systems Engineer  Entry Level - The only requirement is a degree and a good GPA. .Possibly the need to get a clearance. 
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=978777bde2cfa1c3&tk=1dib1tsae0j0p003&from=serp&vjs=3

hey @markvvb don't let @mikey88 Kill your dreams with falsehoods  With a degree, entry level positions are available. I guess @mikey88 never heard of Cyber Security Internships either LOL

What I will say is that your location has a significant impact on your opportunities and lack of opportunities. 

markvb

thanks everyone! so in terms of help desk experience its general password resets and basic troubleshooting just following our system prompts, running commands, ect. Sometimes if I can think outside the box to resolve the problem I will and if I cant resolve I have to refer them to specialist. I also had an opportunity to work in our systems and see how it call connects and try to figure a solution. This is one of the things that really got me thinking and fueled my desire to get started. I work for a major telecommunications company that does tv and internet service. Its basically a call center environment and there is a buy out coming up so I'm considering taking that and finding a job where I can gain more experience while studying. As of now, my goal is to get into some sort of project management or management position in the cyber field after breaking in. I know it'll be a long road, but I am ready and just want to plan a path that'll get me there the best way. I didn't quite finish my bachelors and I want to go back to school, I want it to be of something I'm passionate about and truly interested in. I have been on reddit and got some good insights.  I guess my dilemma is, should I leave where I am now because I doubt the experience I have and I am gaining isn't much to help towards getting into the field vs staying and completing the degree. In my area from what I have seen, there aren't too many jobs I would be qualified for (I may be searching the wrong terms), I did find and apply to a systems analyst trainee position lol hoping I can get that. Either way if i leave my current position I will be taking a major paycut and lose out on some benefits. For me, it really isn't about money but more so feeling accomplished and satisfied with my day at work. To throw another curveball in here I plan to relocate to the NJ NYC area within a year or two so I just want to set myself up right. Again thank you all for the advice!

EDIT.. so with more research and hearing back from people in the field, I'm noticing a trend of experience being a requirement. What would be a good entry level job to start with?