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Everywhere I look I’m seeing completely opposing narratives. Nobody can seem to agree on anything.

I see posts like this one:

And I see posts like this one:

And everything in between. Nobody knows what to believe! What’s going on with cybersec and IT in general?

I’m not an industry insider, but I AM someone who is trying to break into the industry from the outside, and I am hearing it from all sides.

Can you get an IT job or a cybersecurity job as a self-taught person with certifications and no experience?

Yeah, probably. I guess we’ll have to find out based on my experience as well hahaha

I’ve applied for a little over 100 jobs, and I have three upcoming interviews in the next week or so.

I’m actually very happy to be apply for help desk and network admin / system admin / cybersecurity jobs alike. We are all interested in the field because it’s inherently interesting, right? I mean…I’m interested, at least.

Cybersecurity is a sexy buzzword, but the whole field is interesting, right?

None of the roles I’ve heard back for are cybersecurity specifically, but honestly, I don’t think cybersecurity is entry-level unless specifically advertised. Not anymore — not after actually learning about what it entails. The cybersecurity hype seemed to have been generated by people who didn’t actually know what it is / was or.

Bored crypto bros, perhaps? They love hype!

In IT, it’s about helping build and maintain systems and enabling people to communicate and solve problems. I’m not particularly fussed about the specific role, as long as I get to be a part of that process, to be honest!

My strategy:

1. Apply everywhere.
   • I’m willing and eager to go anywhere in the USA to work. Relocating is easy — I’ve spent the last 12 years living abroad in many different areas of China. Relocating’s the easiest part.
2. Apply to all kinds of jobs. Get your foot in the door. It may not be the “end goal” for you, but that’s life. It’s quite common for people to apply for something and then find out that’s EXACTLY what they wanted to be doing, but they didn’t know it.
   • Also — upward mobility is a thing. You can always be promoted later!
3. Keep learning, and play the numbers game.
   • Up your skills, and apply for more jobs. SOMEBODY is going to take a chance on you eventually. And when they do, you’ll do anything and everything to make sure they’re happy they did.

The market comes and goes in waves…it always has, and it always will.

We’ll see how this strategy plays out!