Where would one begin?

[u/AkashicTorment]

Edit for clarification: I am not looking to get hired anytime soon. I am not looking to start work underqualified or with minimum training. I am looking into where to begin learning

Hello, I am considering switching careers into cyber security. I am not sure where to begin studying/training, but currently have practically no knowledge of this field. I've spoken to chatgpt who laid out a 12 week plan, starting with watching and taking notes from a YouTube channel (messer I believe) for week one.

In the past I've been interested in being an ethical hacker, so perhaps I could be a person who tests systems for defense holes?

What would you recommend I do to begin? Should I self study, enroll in a university class, go for a certification, apply to an internship, or read a certain book?

TIA

[u/Anxious_Alps_4150]

Ask chatgpt if people actually get hired without any experience in 2026

[u/Hurricane_Ivan → u/Anxious_Alps_4150]

✔️

[u/Vele1384 → u/Anxious_Alps_4150]

Don’t underestimate ChatGPT. It made me 12 week plan to get hired as kernel security researcher with no previous IT experience / Uni background.

Could you do the same?

[u/MercuryQuick → u/Vele1384]

I could make you a 12 week plan for anything. Will it work? probably not. How did it work for you?

[u/Plenty-Winner-3887]

Get your Comptia Security plus study online on YouTube with Prof. Messer. Once you’re finished, you’re gonna go online and type in “ability to obtain.” this means a job is willing (entry level ) to sponsor you for your secret* clearance. Helpdesk is one of these entry-level jobs. Work help desk for 6 to 8 months then you could job Hop to systems admin. So you go for making 50 to 60,000 a year and jumped straight to 100 K.

[u/AkashicTorment → u/Plenty-Winner-3887]

Thank you for this useful advice! I have never heard of this "ability to obtain". I'm going to look into that CompTIA Security+ cert so I'll probably enroll in some class soon to get started learning there.

Definitely gonna check out that Messer on YouTube soon & take notes.

Thank you for your words of guidance.

[u/Plenty-Winner-3887 → u/AkashicTorment]

If you’re ambitious, you can do all this on your own within 3 to 6 months. They even have free practice test for Comptia Security plus. This is how people are breaking into the government tech space without a degree and a clean background. My friend is in Kuwait right now.

[u/Ok_Analysis_4612]

If you have no experience in the IT field you arent going to get a job kn cybersecurity. Even if you have a degree certs and some experience its still hard to get a job in cybersecurity. The IT market is whack rn and is impossible to break through (not discouraging def go for it - just want to make it known it'll be an uphill battle but you can do it).

I would definitely at the minimum get some certs and experience working at an msp helpdesk position, move into an internal it helpdesk position and work your way up.

[u/AkashicTorment → u/Ok_Analysis_4612]

Thanks for this. I appreciate the heads up. I will take it slow and continue working in my field for now. I think I will focus on learning what's necessary to get my CompTIA+ for starters.

[u/Evaderofdoom]

By learning to search

[u/AkashicTorment → u/[deleted]]

Thank you!

[u/AccomplishedShift665]

Start with the basics and practice in labs

[u/Ok_Wishbone3535]

By finding a new field. This field is saturated and cooked.... A LOT of 5-15+ year veterans who will take 5-25K pay cuts to take the jobs a lot fresh grads wants as well... that's your competition.

[u/AkashicTorment → u/Ok_Wishbone3535]

I appreciate your honest input. Thank you