Ways to Work in Cyber Security Without a Degree!

Wondering whether it’s possible for someone like you to land a job as a professional IT security? Yes, you can get a job in cyber security without a degree!

Read further as I help you increase the odds of getting that cyber security job you wanted without having a formal education.

Can you get a job in cyber security without a degree…Click below to find out more!

Is a Degree Required for Cyber Security?

How to Get a Job in Cyber Security Without a Degree?

Is a Degree Required for Cyber Security?

No, a degree is not required for cyber security!

College is important, but it’s not everything; if you don’t have access to a college education, then you’ve got to prove yourself in other ways which includes learning as much as possible on your own!

Many employers in cyber security look for knowledge and experience over a degree; so, the more you learn about cyber security topics and become an expert in your field, the more likely they’ll hire you!

Wondering how hard cyber security is, read here to find out!

How to Get a Job in Cyber Security Without a Degree?

There are many opportunities for those who have no formal education to still enter this highly competitive field of work. That’s because employers understand that education isn’t everything when it comes to finding good talent; some of the best cyber security professionals don’t necessarily have a degree.

It’s important to note that many employers still look for candidates who have degrees or certifications in this field. So, while having a degree gives you an edge, there’s no guarantee that it’ll lead to a job in cyber security.

It’ll require hard work and dedication, but there are several things you can do to get that job in cyber security without a degree!

Learn About the Industry

Take every opportunity to learn about the cyber security industry from news outlets, books, online courses and forums, etc. The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies provides an excellent information for you to get your career rolling in the right direction.

There’s no shortage of online courses available to help you learn about cyber security. Courses range from introductory classes to advanced training programs. They cover topics such as computer networking, cryptography, malware analysis, and network forensics.

Read up on current trends (and older ones too), participate in any discussions related to cyber security topics online, figure out which way the industry is moving, and research what employers are looking for in new hires.

Show that you really care by learning as much as possible from as many sources as possible—even if your only exposure has been through watching YouTube videos at 2 am every night! When you’re ready, you can then apply those new skills when given the opportunity!

Find a Mentor

Learn cyber security from any person or place willing to teach! Find mentors who know how things work in this industry (including people currently working at small or large companies). Mentors are a great way to understand the industry, the current trends, and allow for excellent networking opportunities!

Learn Cyber Security Tools

Learn security coding and tools, such as vulnerability scanners and penetration testing tools. Knowing how to use them will help you understand what’s going on behind the scenes when you’re working in cyber security.

You’ll also have a strong foundation for learning about the various other security tools that companies utilize.

Practice with online tools to keep your skills up to date with current trends in technology!

Get Your Certifications in Cyber Security Without a Degree

Security certifications are required to increase your chances of getting hired for that first entry level position. Certifications also look great on resumes; they provide proof of your knowledge and skill set without requiring specific qualifications like degrees or diplomas.

Organizations like CompTIA, ISACA, or ISC2 offer a variety of certifications in cyber security without a degree requirement and are designed for entry-level professionals.

Common certifications such as: CompTIA Security+, Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) or Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP), or ISACA’s Cybersecurity Fundamentals are all great certifications that require little to no prior experience.

Having difficulty with certifications? Determine if a cyber security bootcamp is right for you.

Seek out Internship or Volunteer Opportunities

To get a job in cyber security without a degree, you’re much more likely to be hired if you have some basic work experience. This experience can be in form of a cyber internship, volunteering activity, or even a project.

Whatever it may be, you’ve got to work harder at showing how motivated you are by getting that real-world experience.

Any of these activities can be a great way to gain experience and learn new skills, build your resume, and create a network of professionals in the field. Remember, experience doesn’t always have to mean a cyber role, it can be any related role as long as you get some form of hands-on experience!

Join a Cyber Community

You’ve got to surround yourself with like-minded individuals that live and breathe cyber which means belonging to cyber security groups. There are many cyber security communities either near you or online that you can join such as Bsides or even your local Meetup.

By joining these communities, you also afford yourself the opportunity to network with others that may be able to help you find an internship or job.

Network as Much as Possible

As briefly mentioned, networking is a vital aspect of job hunting, and it makes sense to do it as early as you can. If you’re just starting out, networking can be awkward because you don’t have much to show for yourself in the beginning; however, it’s a great way to prove yourself and get your name out there.

By the way, networking also includes being active on social media sites like LinkedIn to connect with people who can help you find more opportunities.

To network effectively, make sure you are doing it with people who are in or close to the field that interests you most. Try to make friends or associate with people who work in cyber security and ensure that you maintain those relationships even after getting a job.

For example, if security engineering is something that interests you right now (and we hope it does!), then reach out to engineers who work in that field so they know who to recommend if any positions become available at their company or others like them!

This shows initiative and seriousness about wanting this career path without having all the credentials yet (or even having finished college).

Get an IT Support Role

It absolutely does not matter whether your first job is in cyber security! Even if you don’t get a job in cyber security, you need to gain some basic IT experience.

Start looking for IT jobs that aren’t the most glamorous and may not even pay that well. The whole point is to get any IT experience before you make the leap into cyber.

Some of the best jobs you can get are in the area of IT Support, Technical Support, Help Desk, etc. There are many different names for it, but they all produce the same outcome…IT experience!

Even by working there for six months, you now have enough background experience to start thinking about cyber.

Maintain a Strong Portfolio of Your Experience

It’s important to have a strong portfolio of your past hands-on work.

If you’re not sure how to build your portfolio, start by creating a Github account where you can showcase your coding skills.

You can also create a simple and inexpensive Wix or Squarespace website that’s very user friendly and includes:

An effective cyber resume that lists all relevant experience and certifications
A portfolio of projects you’ve worked on (these should be projects you’ve completed by yourself or with a team, not just the ones where you followed instructions)
Technical documentation from each project (this may be simple notes about what was done, or something more elaborate, such as spreadsheets listing software versions and hardware specs for every device in the enterprise network)

Be Patient and Stay Motivated!

Be patient and don’t think you’re going to get hired right away. Just remember that applying for jobs is a job.

If you’re not spending 10-12 hours per day applying or networking, then you’re not doing enough, assuming you don’t have other responsibilities. And even with that amount of tenacity, it can take as long as six months just to get your foot in the door!

If you’re passionate about the field and willing to put in the time and effort required for success, then you can land a full-time position as an entry-level cyber security professional.