Hey there! Are you curious about whether you can dive into cyber security without having an IT background? Well, you’ve come to the right place! Today, we’re going to unravel this mystery together. Let’s jump in!
Is It Possible to Start with Zero Experience?
First off, yes, it’s totally possible to start learning cyber security from scratch. You don’t need a background in IT to begin. However, while it’s doable, it might not be the easiest or quickest path to take. But don’t worry! I’m here to guide you through it.
What You Need to Know
Getting a job in cyber security, or anywhere in tech, comes down to two main steps:
- Getting an interview
- Passing an interview
Seems simple, right? But here’s the catch: in cyber security, experience matters a lot. So, if you’re starting with zero IT or cyber security experience, you’ll need to make sure other parts of your resume are extra strong. Check out the Employability Framework to better understand how to prepare yourself for landing a job.
Boost Your Resume
- Have a strong educational background, like a bachelor’s degree. Check out the video below for NSA recognized online Cybersecurity Degree for $10k.
- Earn a couple of strong certifications that are well-recognized, such as Security Plus or CCNA.
- Build a solid portfolio with impressive projects.
- Create your own experience. Maybe start a company focused on cyber security or become a cyber security educator on social media.
Planning Your Path
Building a resume that stands out can take time. Earning certificates and possibly rushing through a bachelor’s degree in cyber security could take around a year or more, but it’s an investment in your future. Check out the video below talks about the most valuable certifications to get for the CyberSecurity field.
Interviews with Experience
If you can, reach out and learn from those who’ve made the leap into cyber security from other fields. And remember, a strong social network can also open doors to opportunities in the cyber world. Here’s the interview for how to land an IT job in 6 weeks as a new high school graduate.
A Quicker Alternative
While aiming directly for a cyber security job is admirable, there’s a faster way to enter the tech world:
- Start with a more accessible IT job, such as a help desk position. This could take around 3 months with focused studying.
- Every IT job has elements of cyber security. Use this as a learning opportunity to sharpen your skills.
- Work on projects that showcase your security-focused abilities, like creating incident response playbooks or managing user access securely.
- Keep applying for both IT and cyber security jobs, not just ones with “cyber” in the title.
This approach not only gets you working and earning faster but also helps you gain valuable IT experience that’s applicable to cyber security.
In Conclusion
Finding your way into a cyber security career without an IT background might seem daunting, but with the right strategy, it’s entirely achievable. Focus on strengthening your resume, gaining relevant certifications, and consider starting in a general IT position to build experience. Remember, the goal is to land an interview and ace it. The link below for some free resources like practice questions for A+, Network Plus, and others to boost your knowledge.
https://lognpacific.com/free-certification-practice-tests
So, are you ready to embark on this exciting journey into the world of cyber security? Let’s make it happen! Also, don’t forget to check out my Hands-On IT and Cybersecurity Course to help you bridge the gap between just being skilled and actually landing a job!