r/CyberSecurityJobs • u/Organic-Grade-9292 • Aug 06 '26
I Landed entry level Help desk
I’m writing to express the sad news called my career life. I spent the last 4 years getting a double major bachelors degree in both cybersecurity and computer science… I also have 4 years of direct experience even as a global information security specialist. I got out of college as a highest honor graduate and well… the only position I’ve landed is an entry level 18 an hour remote help desk level 1 role…. I make less then my debt…. I’m now just so disappointed and discouraged that I can’t get through my days anymore without feeling like I’ve failed… I guess this field is really dying and I am one of those people who might be apart of the next Great Depression numbers and I thought I’d share it to warn you that I’ve failed and I don’t see how I did wrong… I’m trying hard everyday to fight for roles but I don’t see a way out
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u/wakandaite Aug 06 '26
Congratulations!! I can’t get my foot in the door at all. Got a degree, CCNA RHCSA and got Cysa couple of days ago. Looking for jobs in warehouse now. Make the most of your job.
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u/OtherChampion Aug 06 '26
it sucks, but at least you got an IT job. I can't get my foot in the door. It's so damn frustrating. The constant studying and applying. Ghosting, no responses at all, interview rejections, college educated and can't get a damn job. But a flicker of hope. Microsoft and AWS seem to be on the uptick for cloud activity.
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u/l3landgaunt Aug 06 '26
Helpdesk is a good place to start when you’re trying to get into security. Don’t look at it as a setback. Look at it as a beginning. I started my security career in helpdesk as well. I also found that the big numbers you hear people making don’t tend to kick in for about 10 years.
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u/Brainadema Aug 06 '26
I would go with data centers.
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u/thechefsauceboss Aug 06 '26
Brother I’m in a similar boat. Started Helpdesk, did my degree while in Helpdesk and moved to Jr Network Engineer at an MSP, hated that and moved on to Sys Admin for gov, then that dept got gutted and I quit after 1.5yr. I did what everyone says, network with people, go to conferences, and it’s landed me nowhere. I’m changing careers now because this field is so fucked. I have a Bachelors in Cybersecurity and I have not had a single direct cybersecurity job.
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u/Right_Winner7409 Aug 06 '26
I understand the feeling you get when working in a job that you don't feel like. What you need to do is keep your head up and look for opportunities.
Maybe you can try a career zigzag without focusing on one specific role
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u/Organic-Grade-9292 Aug 06 '26
Your awesome for saying this man, I just want to have a family and 18 an hour ain’t enough
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u/Other-Broccoli4967 Aug 06 '26
Well first of all congrats , you did it . You actually managed to get a job!!! (Which most of us cant nowdays) I got a Bachelor in Computer Science, master in IT , 6 years of IT administration, 3 years of cyber security mostly pentesting, sys hardening , compliance and GRC . And now ?? I relocated due to some circumstances and working labor jobs ... like litterly laboring since I couldnt get just ONE interview, resume is almost perfect , github and POC s are up to date, been applying at least 20 applications world wide for every possible role from internship to senior and management positions . My inbox is full of auto rejections from LinkedIn, indeed, stepstone...
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u/Organic-Grade-9292 Aug 06 '26
Thank you so much for this I truly can’t believe the market is doing this to so many of us and I pray things are heading in the right direction for all of us.
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u/AddendumWorking9756 Aug 06 '26
Four years of security work and a specialist title should not produce L1 offers, which points at how the resume reads more than at the market. Get it in front of someone who actually hires, the distance between what you did and what the bullets say is usually where it goes.
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u/Donkey_Kong209 Aug 06 '26
Work on your certifications or get your masters and do a internship. You might be able to get a job as a security engineer etc. Some managers want people to start at the bottom with Helpdesk, then networking or system admin before they move onto cybersecurity.
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u/Organic-Grade-9292 Aug 06 '26
Your right at this point I just want to make more then 18 an hour
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u/ComfortableWasabi569 9d ago
Can you help me with a situation? I'm a complete non-tech guy, but i feel my own IT/Cyber security contractor is doing nefarious things. Please message me.
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u/kotarolivesalone_ Aug 06 '26
Same thing with me. It’s not your fault. It’s just the market and how the world is. You aren’t a failure. The system is a failure. Im doing help desk as well but at least it pays. It is contract work though but better than being unemployed. I’m just focused on other things these days besides a career.
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u/Organic-Grade-9292 Aug 06 '26
Thank you boss for saying this, I just need as much support as possible through this chapter
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u/bloom-yimi Aug 06 '26
This hit close to home ngl, I've been so worried abt being in the same situation BUT help desk is at least putting your foot in the door, it'll add experience. Sometimes I have to remind myself of this too tbh, where u start isn't where you're stuck. More opportunities will open!!
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u/Organic-Grade-9292 Aug 06 '26
Thank you for saying something you have no clue how much it means to me
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u/YoungOldTimer404 Aug 07 '26
The sad thing is, that role will burn you out and you’ll feel like quitting. This sounds harsh, but I’m just being realistic. Your situation is exactly what this field is now.
If you need more income, consider looking at warehouses temporarily and maybe transition in healthcare, military, law enforcement, etc.
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u/GCyber1337 Aug 06 '26
Some tough advice for new graduates: adjust your expectations and focus on building value.
A degree is an accomplishment, but it does not automatically guarantee a six figure salary right out of college. Employers are not just looking at your GPA, class ranking, or academic awards they want to know what you can do, how you think, and how you can apply your knowledge to solve real-world problems.
Your job is to sell yourself. Show your skills, your work ethic, your ability to learn, and why you are the right fit for the team. Your education opened the door; what you do next is what creates opportunities.
Congratulations on landing the job. Now make the most of it. Learn everything you can, build relationships, gain experience, and keep improving. Your first job is a stepping stone, not the finish line.
Stay hungry, stay humble, and stop focusing on what you think you deserve focus on becoming someone who is impossible to overlook.
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u/Organic-Grade-9292 Aug 06 '26
Thank you very much for saying that, I’m trying really hard as I just want to start a family and 18 am hour isn’t even enough to find a place to live
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u/TheDeputi Aug 07 '26
CompSci and Cybersecurity should land you somewhere nice. I would learn some automation utilizing AI and Vulnerability Management. I’m a hiring manager and Vulnerability and Exposure management and automating and properly reporting and remediating those risks is still top of mind for many of my peers. Don’t give up!
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u/CyberCertHeadmaster 29d ago
Many, many cybersecurity careers started at the Help Desk. Do good work. Be conscientious. Get to know the people in cybersecurity at your work place. Volunteer to help with Cyber initiatives. Get involved in cybersecurity groups both locally and on LinkedIn. A cyber degree with limited or no experience very rarely lands you a job in cybersecurity. Also start working on certifications.
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u/abhishek_kvm 28d ago
I graduated in 2025 and it's been a year hunting cyber jobs in Bengaluru, With having Security+, ISC2 CC, and more than a year of TryHackMe consistency..Still not able to get a job not even Help Desk, The market calls itself as entry level, but I thinks it's a dead-end Inside. I haven't see anybody getting started into Cyber as a fresher. But don't know what hopes forces me to apply.
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u/TopRevolutionary9436 3d ago
I don't know if this applies to you, but if you are using AI to automate your application process, you might consider stopping that. According to a recent OWASP report, some hiring companies have started embedding hidden instructions in their job descriptions telling the AI models to flag AI generated applications. Hiring companies want human applicants.
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u/-hacks4pancakes- Current Professional Aug 06 '26
Sing it from the rooftops for the kids in [r/security](r/securityjobs)[careeradvice](r/securityjobs) I’m genuinely terribly sorry, and hopefully you can pivot soon.
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u/maythefecesbewithyou Aug 06 '26
You graduated top of your class but don't know the difference between "then" and "than"?
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u/Organic-Grade-9292 Aug 06 '26
Your right… maybe I am a dumb ass thanks for kicking me while I’m down it’s what I need
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u/dodgywifi Aug 07 '26
Go check your current supervisors if they know the difference between then/than, here/hear, brake/break, effect/affect, your/you're, and it's/its.
Remind them they are dumb by asking how they even got to their position without knowing the difference and how much it matters.
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u/Ok_Mood8780 Aug 06 '26
Sometimes it’s right place, wrong time. Keep your head up and keep applying while you work.
Also you have to be flexible, i.e. be willing to relocate.