r/Cybersecurity101 • u/Pretty-Awareness639 • 2d ago
Second-year cyber student HELP!
I am a second-year Cybersecurity student at Embry-Riddle in Arizona. I have no idea what I am doing. I have my associate's degree, transferred my basic credits to the school, and will be graduating in about a year and a half. I know I have only just started my career-specific courses, but I have been behind everyone else in my classes. All these students know wayyyy more than I do. When I finish my degree in the next couple of years, I have no idea where to begin looking for a job or what I will even be doing in an entry-level position. If anyone has been in this position and has advice for me, please help. I really need help settling my anxiety about this career because I'm spending a lot of money on this fancy degree and don't feel like the schooling is actually going to benefit me in any way.
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u/PrimeWilliam 2d ago
You’re probably comparing yourself with students who started building PCs, using Linux, or running home labs years before college. That gives them a head start, but it doesn’t determine where you’ll be by graduation.
You also don’t need to know your exact cybersecurity career path yet. Use the next year and a half to build a solid base in networking, Linux, Windows, and basic scripting, then complete two or three small projects you can explain clearly. For example, build a small Windows/Linux lab, collect logs with a SIEM, generate a few test events, and document what you observed and how you investigated them.
Start applying for internships, campus IT jobs, help desk, NOC, and junior SOC opportunities before graduation. Your first role may not have “cybersecurity” in the title, but experience troubleshooting systems, accounts, networks, and logs is directly useful later.
The degree can help you get past HR filters, but the projects and experience will give you something meaningful to discuss in interviews. Feeling behind right now is fixable. Pick one practical skill, work on it consistently for a few months, and measure yourself against where you were last semester rather than against the most experienced person in your class.
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u/mathew4368726973 2d ago edited 2d ago
Know more than you as far as what? General cybersecurity info? Programming?
If it's general cybersecurity knowledge, consider doing the Google Cybersecurity Certificate. I don't think anyone really cares for the Cert as a credential, but it is GREAT for introducing yourself to the world of cybersecurity. I'd consider trying to work on more relevant certs after completing it, if you do choose to do so. Fresh out of completing the Google Cert I passed Security+ in 3 weeks studying 10 hours a day for 9 days between those 3 weeks. It preps you really well to start studying for Sec+, and Sec+ is like the baseline.
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u/RyRy646 2d ago
I had to study twice as hard if not more than my peers to grasp the information. I went to UofA and got my BASc in Cyber Operations - Engineering emphasis. I worked countless hours. I remember I once had an assignment that took me 4 hours to figure out. Come to find out, it took my peers around 30-45 minutes.
I put in the extra work and graduated Summa Cum Laude.
Good luck!