Don’t Get Into Cybersecurity Without Knowing This

If you're planning a career in cybersecurity, there are a few things you need to know before diving in. I get asked these questions all the time:

“Which degree course should I take for cybersecurity?”
“Can a single course really get me into cybersecurity?”
“Is it even possible without a degree?”
“What does reality actually look like?”

Let’s unpack all of this.

The Cybersecurity Boom — But There's a CatchThere’s no doubt about it — cybersecurity is booming. According to platforms like Cyberseek, the demand for skilled professionals is massive. But there’s also a serious skill gap in the industry.So naturally, people go looking for the "best cybersecurity course," choose a college, get a degree, and start applying for jobs.But… does this still work?The Traditional Path: Outdated?

Here’s the typical route people take:

Get a degree in cybersecurity or IT
Apply for jobs via platforms like LinkedIn
Wait for interview calls

Seems straightforward, right? But here’s the problem:

The Two Big Challenges:

Getting into the interview room
Cracking the interview once you’re in

And here’s where things fall apart.

Why the Usual Path Doesn’t Work

Let’s talk about getting interviews first.

You apply with your degree and a generic resume on LinkedIn. But what happens? Your application gets ignored. Why?

Your profile isn’t impressive
You don’t have real cybersecurity projects to show
Your resume isn’t customized for the role
LinkedIn’s bots filter out your application before a human even sees it

Now, even if you do manage to get an interview, there’s more trouble ahead.

The Interview Trap

Most candidates prepare by learning theoretical concepts and memorizing basic interview questions. But when they face a real interviewer?

Within just 5 minutes, it becomes obvious — you don’t have practical exposure. You’ve only studied the surface, not lived the experience.

And here’s the truth:
A degree or certification won’t get you hired if you can’t show real skills and hands-on experience.

What’s the Solution?

While the full solution needs a deeper dive (and honestly, deserves its own video), here are a few things you need to know:

Start thinking outside the box
Do DIY projects that showcase your cybersecurity skills
Learn from industry professionals who actually work in the field
Don’t rely solely on college courses — do your own research
Build a solid portfolio with hands-on exercises
And of course, keep learning with Edwhere

If you're serious about getting into cybersecurity, understand this:
A course or certification alone is not your ticket in.

You need practical skills. You need projects. You need real experience.
So start now. Get your hands dirty. Build something. Show the world — and your future employer — what you can really do.

Until next time,

Manu Francis