A whole lot of luck and some smooth talking
I don't post on here too often though I do log in every day and lurk/read/learn.
Since I was little, I have always loved IT and thought I knew it all, working at Staples as an Easy Tech for about a year. Two years ago, I joined the USMC Reserves as a Data Network Specialist and went through the Cisco Academy for the CCNA, but we did not get to test out on the certification then, and I didn't take it upon myself to get it. I did obtain my A+ though.
About 1 year ago I got a job as a NOC at a medium-large retail business; which upon being hired they told me I was the least qualified candidate and I mostly got hired because I had a direction, determination, and goals. It was once I got this position that I realized how much I didn't know in the world of IT and how miniscule my actual knowledge was. Our NOCs work with all the different IT groups (server, AD, web tech, programmers, security, and mostly networking) doing various tasks for them to get exposure to each field, which is actually great in my opinion. Over the last year I realized how much I love all the different aspects of Network Security.
In all reality I don't know have that much knowledge though I do study and read a lot, and I just started WGU for IT Security on Apr 1st.
Well my company wanted to 'expand' their Security department but decided to go a different route, they opened a position for a "Network Security Trainee". I applied for it and had a couple of interviews, and I got the job. I will train underneath the Sr. Network Security Analyst for 6 months, after which time I will be promoted to a Network Security Analyst I, where I will start to work on my own with slight supervision. They're looking for someone that they can invest some time into that they hope will grow, learn, and eventually lead if necessary. I know a lot of guys on here are against sticking around the same place too long but as much as this company has helped my life, I see myself staying for a good while.
This is truly going to change my life because only after 3 years in IT at the age of 23, I will be a Network Security Analyst and be much further in my career than I ever anticipated. As lame as this sounds, I would probably settling in my NOC position and not advancing my career had I not joined techexams. There's a lot of great and brilliant members here who are truly inspiring.
I have a lot of goals for myself over the next 2 years. I'm going to focus heavily on learning as much as I can from my OTJ training as well as finishing WGU in no more than 3 terms which I don't think should be an issue. After that I would like to start studying for the CISSP.
I know my story probably isn't very common and there was A LOT of luck involved. What I have learned from all this though is that, being likeable and being able to converse well with people can get you a long long long way.
Sorry for the wall of text.
