My Simple 4 Step Plan to Speedrun into My First IT Job

Hi! My name’s Zach and at the moment I work in a warehouse. Man, today was intense as I got sent to the most physical part of the warehouse. I know I can inspire at least one person to make that leap and I’m more than motivated because we’re in busy season right now and my body hurts like crazy! Also it’s very easy to get fired at the job so it’s literally sink or swim, do or die, live every day as if it’s your last! As of December 2024 I don’t even have a working phone so if I can do it nearly anybody in the US can do this!

My current goal is to land that IT job by June 2025. I’m ideally going for a GRC role but with my current plan I can pivot to SOC Analyst or even help desk. The longer term goal is to get my foot into the door for the higher paying roles like Cybersecurity engineer. My number 1 piece of advice is to begin with the end in mind so that way I’m not jumping from shiny object to shiny object. That means not going from course to course, certificate to certificate, etc. And no, watching yet another Youtube video isn’t taking real action! I’m also going to add a STRETCH goal in each step should I not get any interviews in the job search phase.

Step 1: Build my online presence.

• I already got this Medium account and will store my lab projects since there won’t be enough space on my resume.
• I will need to edit my LinkedIn account.
• STRETCH goal: Expand into other platforms like Substack, Tiktok, and Youtube.

Step 2: Get certified.

• As of December 2024 I haven’t spent too much money. All I paid for was Gerald Auger’s GRC masterclass, Entry Level’s SOC 101–1, and CourseCareer’s Help Desk course. So less than 1K.
• I’m currently finishing up FEMA’s ICS-100 and Google’s Cybersecurity Certificate. FEMA’s customer service instructed me to reset my account so I can take their test and with Google’s program I just have to complete their labs.
• STRETCH goal: Once I complete the Google program I get 30% off the Sec+ so I can get that coveted word to help with the ATS scanning software.

Step 3: Get relevant work experience

• Entry Level offers an unpaid internship where if I help students I can add this in my resume. Also by online journaling my experience into entering this industry, I am displaying my communication skills which will help me in GRC, SOC, and help desk roles.
• STRETCH goal: Mosse Institute offers a MRCI — Remote Cybersecurity Internship that I will consider should I not get any interviews during the job search phase.

Step 4: Job Search Phase (Apply and network)

• I’m primarily focusing on networking in the job search phase but will spend some time applying to jobs. I get waaaay more ROI on my time by getting warm leads. I’m not at this specific phase right now as I have to fix my resume, but once my certs and work experience are complete I will be in a better position to be “pro-ready.”
• Attend Meetup and cybersecurity events to meet industry pros and tell my story. I’ve heard of people landing jobs doing this and given my current situation I’m more than motivated to turn my life around!
• STRETCH goal: Hire a career advisor to look over my LinkedIn and resume.

So there you have it, this is my 4 step plan to speedrunning into my first IT job. It’s not going to be easy but given how I spent less than $1000 and am juggling a full time position as a warehouse associate this should motivate you!

PS Since I didn’t have a working phone, my initial plan of going through Leon’s 100Devs program and CourseCareer’s Help Desk course didn’t work out. For Leon’s program I had to have a working phone and with CourseCareer’s labs several of their vendors required a phone to sign up to use their service.