u/Tech-Christian

I recently got my first IT job as a Desktop Support Technician/Tier 2 in a corporate environment with no prior IT experience. I’m still learning a lot every day, but I think I’m doing pretty well so far.

A lot of different IT people, management, and even HR seem to like me and trust my work, which honestly motivates me a lot.

I have a B.S. in Business Administration with a major in Technology Information Systems & Analytics, and my goal is to eventually become a Cybersecurity Analyst someday.

The problem is that while I’m learning a lot, the company doesn’t really seem to have much growth into networking or cybersecurity, and they don’t pay for certifications or education either.

I keep wondering what the smartest next step is:

• Security+?
• CCNA?
• Homelabs/projects?
• Just keep gaining experience?

I know cybersecurity isn’t entry level, so I’m trying to stay patient and build experience first. I just don’t want to stay stuck in one spot too long.

Would appreciate advice from people who started in IT support and eventually moved into cybersecurity.

I recently got my first IT job as a Desktop Support Technician/Tier 2 in a corporate environment with no prior IT experience. I’m still learning a lot every day, but I think I’m doing pretty well so far.

A lot of different IT people, management, and even HR seem to like me and trust my work, which honestly motivates me a lot.

I have a B.S. in Business Administration with a major in Technology Information Systems & Analytics, and my goal is to eventually become a Cybersecurity Analyst someday.

The problem is that while I’m learning a lot, the company doesn’t really seem to have much growth into networking or cybersecurity, and they don’t pay for certifications or education either.

I keep wondering what the smartest next step is:

• Security+?
• CCNA?
• Homelabs/projects?
• Just keep gaining experience?

I know cybersecurity isn’t entry level, so I’m trying to stay patient and build experience first. I just don’t want to stay stuck in one spot too long.

Would appreciate advice from people who started in IT support and eventually moved into cybersecurity.

I recently got my first IT job as a Desktop Support Technician/Tier 2 in a corporate environment with no prior IT experience. I’m still learning a lot every day, but I think I’m doing pretty well so far.

A lot of different IT people, management, and even HR seem to like me and trust my work, which honestly motivates me a lot.

I have a B.S. in Business Administration with a major in Technology Information Systems & Analytics, and my goal is to eventually become a Cybersecurity Analyst someday.

The problem is that while I’m learning a lot, the company doesn’t really seem to have much growth into networking or cybersecurity, and they don’t pay for certifications or education either.

I keep wondering what the smartest next step is:

• Security+?
• CCNA?
• Homelabs/projects?
• Just keep gaining experience?

I know cybersecurity isn’t entry level, so I’m trying to stay patient and build experience first. I just don’t want to stay stuck in one spot too long.

Would appreciate advice from people who started in IT support and eventually moved into cybersecurity.

I hold a B.S. in Business Administration with a major in Technology Information Systems & Analytics. I recently landed my first IT job as a Desktop Support Technician/Tier 2, despite having no prior experience in IT and I'm in Corporate environment and they love me, but won't pay for anything for my education. My career goal is to become a Cybersecurity Analyst, but I feel lost about the path forward. Yes, I know this isn't entry level of course.

Should I pursue a B.S. in Cybersecurity? Or focus on certifications like Security+, CCNA, or even CISSP? I can’t stop fearing that I’ll never compete with candidates who have a B.S. in Cybersecurity plus IT experience and certifications.

Sometimes I wonder if I should even keep chasing this dream.

I hold a B.S. in Business Administration with a major in Technology Information Systems & Analytics. I recently landed my first IT job as a Desktop Support Technician/Tier 2, despite having no prior experience in IT and I'm in Corporate environment and they love me, but won't pay for anything for my education. My career goal is to become a Cybersecurity Analyst, but I feel lost about the path forward. Yes, I know this isn't entry level of course.

Should I pursue a B.S. in Cybersecurity? Or focus on certifications like Security+, CCNA, or even CISSP? I can’t stop fearing that I’ll never compete with candidates who have a B.S. in Cybersecurity plus IT experience and certifications.

Sometimes I wonder if I should even keep chasing this dream.