I believe in using every tool available to put your best foot forward. The thoughts and experiences on this page are my own; I use AI to help ensure the grammar is accurate.
Nobody told me cybersecurity was a career option. I was set on becoming a mechanic. I was working at a dealership as a lube tech - everyone knows those people who do your oil changes, yeah that was me. I was working there for about 6 months and before that I was at a factory (more details on that in a different post). It wasn’t until a guidance counselor sat me down and pointed me toward IT that the door even opened. I walked through it reluctantly - and in 48 hours changed everything.
If you’re reading this and asking yourself whether cybersecurity could be a career for you, you’re already ahead of where I was. You’re asking the question and that’s what matters.
What Cybersecurity Actually Is
At its core, cybersecurity is about protecting people, organizations, and systems from digital threats. That sounds broad because it is and that’s actually a good thing. The field covers everything from analyzing malware and responding to breaches, to educating employees on phishing, to making sure critical systems stay online. There is no single path and no single type of person who does this work.
That variety means there’s likely a place in this field that fits you.
Anyone From Any Background Can Do This
I came from a household where technology wasn’t super emphasized and was mainly used for entertainment. I didn’t grow up coding, building computers, or spending my free time digging into why the internet does what it does. What I have is curiosity, a willingness to learn, and someone who pointed me in the right direction even if it was later in life.
The people I’ve worked alongside in this field come from all kinds of backgrounds - military, healthcare, education, and yes, people who just decided one day to make a change. The field is not gatekept by where you grew up, what school you attended, or what you did before. What matters is that you show up willing to learn.
You Don’t Need a 4-Year Degree
This is probably the biggest misconception that keeps people from even considering cybersecurity. The field has a strong culture of valuing what you can do over what your diploma says.
Certifications like CompTIA’s Security+, Network+, and A+ are widely recognized entry points that cost a fraction of a college degree and can be earned in months, not years. Many professionals, including myself, supplemented their foundation through certifications and hands-on learning while receiving formal education. Many community colleges offer IT programs and prep you for these certifications so it’s a double whammy in my eyes.
That said, if college is your path, programs in cybersecurity and information assurance are growing fast and worth exploring. College education is not the only pathway into IT - I know plenty of people who don’t have a degree of any kind - an Associates (2-year) or a Bachelors (4-year) - and are crushing it in their respective discipline. We’ll discuss degrees vs experience in a later post.
It Pays Well - and the Demand Is Real - but the Truth Is Harsh
There is a cybersecurity workforce shortage and it’s a big talking point for many people trying to introduce cyber to the general masses. It’s a documented, ongoing reality. Organizations of every size are struggling to find qualified people, and that gap isn’t closing anytime soon.
Here’s something most articles won’t tell you - that shortage is largely at the mid and senior levels. Cybersecurity is not a traditional entry-level field. It rewards people who come in with a foundation, whether that’s IT support, networking, systems administration, or military experience (another talking point we can dig into later). The open roles that go unfilled aren’t waiting for someone who just passed their Security+ last week.
That doesn’t mean the opportunity isn’t there. It means the path is real, but it requires building toward it. Start with learning the fundamentals. Get your hands dirty in helpdesk, networking, or systems work. Cybersecurity becomes far more accessible - and far more natural - once you understand what you’re protecting. The possibility of landing a cyber role with minimal experience isn’t zero, but just be prepared for lots of rejection.
The earning potential is still very real. Entry-level IT roles that feed into cybersecurity can start between $40,000 and $55,000, and once you make the transition into a security role, you could be looking at $70,000+ depending on your role, location, and other factors.
So, Is It for You?
Ask yourself these questions:
- Do you like solving problems?
- Are you curious about how things work - and how they break?
- Do you care about protecting people?
- Are you willing to keep learning even when it’s hard?
If you answered yes to most of those, cybersecurity is worth exploring seriously.
The best part? You don’t have to take my word for it. You can start learning today for free and see if it clicks. In fact, that’s exactly what my next post is about - a list of free resources you can use right now to get started, no experience required.
The door is open. You just have to walk through it.
- Jose F. Caro
I believe in using every tool available to put your best foot forward. The thoughts and experiences on this page are my own; I use AI to help ensure the grammar is accurate.
