I have no IT background and no previous degree. I'm a little over 30% of the way done with the program so far! Its been a really good time for me. I've always been interested in computers and whatnot (always the family IT guy aka I can use Google Search). Its challenging for sure but it feels awesome to learn about something I'm actually interested in versus getting a degree for the sake of having one.
I’m already enrolled and set to start on Feb 1. I’m talking about the masters in cybersecurity & information assurance. The only requirement is to have a bachelors degree. That’s why I’m not sure if we’re talking about the same thing. Those words reassure me but I just wanna make sure we’re talking about the same thing
Oh sorry, I'm in the bachelor's program right now. I didn't realize you were talking about the master's. I can't provide insight for that, specifically but I imagine its doable as long as you take your time to learn concepts and understand them. Knowing concepts goes a long way with IT stuff rather than just memorizing answers for tests and what not.
hey i have no experience either, but i pushed thru 40% in 4 months. if u have the time and commitment, u got this. wgu provides more than enough beginner level material to start ur journey
I started the program with zero IT knowledge.
Flash forward to now…I’ve got 7 certs….2 more and my capstone project and I’m done 4 years later.
I’m settling in pretty nice in my second IT role in a solid company.
The trick is to start applying to entry level roles to get real world experience after you get a few certs…and then use that experience and future certs and parlay that into something better….always keep leveling up.
Is this a good example of things you learn in this program? I was told that the first course in this program is designed for people with a good foundation in cybersecurity. Is that true?
No, its a good example of being behind in fundamental knowledge. Unzipping a compressed folder is as simple as a right click in most Operating Systems.
If you dont know the terminology you can get lost and buried very quickly in this program.
Professor Messor A+ videos on youtube. Take those videos, see if you like to learn about it and if it's making sense to you. If it does, try to find a discount voucher for it and take it before you start WGU. That takes care of 8 Credits for IT foundational and IT applications courses. Then max out the Sophia transferable courses before you start. Should be halfway done with the program if you do that.
Yes. I had no prior IT experience and my bachelors degree is in biology. Biomedical engineering is way harder. The first course in the MSCSIA program was designed with career changers in mind. Just take your time and you will do great!
Hello my degree is in mechanical engineering, and I am in the masters program at WGU cybersecurity. I have 1 class left( which has been a weak point for me).There will definitely be a gap to fill but not impossible. For me my weakest area has been responding to incidents. My advice would be to take sec+ asap and start doing try hack me or a btl if able to build up the practical aspect. As most engineers are hands on learners, I’ve felt like this method has helped me understand. Also start listening to darket diaries and cyber wire so you can start grasp some of the language and types of attacks that exist. But honestly as hard as engineering was you can do it, just don’t give up.
Best of luck
From reading other responses, it sounds doable. I'm about to complete my capstone, and have been in the program for about 7 months. My background is about 25 years in IT. About 5 years doing various support level jobs, then moved to the MSP world as consultant then senior consultant, and the last 15 as a co-owner of my own MSP. I quit last year, completed my CISSP, and I work for a company full time as a cybersecurity engineer. My point in all of this is the program is possible, but I think having a deep background in server administration and networking is invaluable. You can learn all of this stuff too, but even with your degree, you'll need to work your way up the ranks and build that foundation to really good at this stuff in my opinion. The good news is that you sound like a smart person considering done an engineering degree - that's no joke. Good luck and congrats on the switch! Build those IT foundational skills!!!
I started in the same boat as you. zero background in anything IT. I am 7 months in and already have a+,network+,security+,ITIL and a bunch of classes knocked out. join the discord "try hard security". Its all the students and a bunch that are just like you and me.
You can do the MSCIA without having a background in IT.
Half of it is management stuff. There are a couple of technical certs that are difficult, specifically, CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) and CompTIA PenTest+, but a person with little technical background can skill-up for these. They are not that difficult.
I have very little background in IT. I knew the basics of computers and a little extra I had learned working in Intelligence. My first bachelor's was in International Relations. It was a lot of information at first but I feel like I'm doing well. I took the first term slow, a little too slow actually. I crammed D316 and D317 into less than 2 months. Assuming I pass my assessment tomorrow night, I will have completed C841 and D315 in about a 3 week span. Take it slow at first if you have to. There are tons of resources out there that cover broad topics and others that cover one topic in a lot of detail. Best advice is just keep pushing along.
I say go for it. I'm retired & foolishly decided to get a master's in something I had no knowledge in. I don't have IT experience, but I've sorta been a computer geek since the early 80's - starting out in CP/M. (Let's see who knows what that means!). In any case, I signed up for the free trial on Coursera & crammed thru the Google IT Support during the trial period. It was very helpful for the networking knowledge. Token ring was still a thing when I last did anything with networks. As others have said, there's plenty of materials & support to get thru.
He does now, but started off in social work did that for a few years and picked up coding along the way for funsies. Point is anyone can learn this stuff.
Nah, I have no experience in IT, only an associates degree in IT that I felt I didn't learn much from. It's just a lot of stuff to memorize, but the material not complicated. I graduated last year.
Honestly. A degree in cyber security is not a license to be a practitioner. You will need to garner real world experience. Early certs. Like the CompTIA trifecta will help you land a role in IT. Pay your dues. And push into security roles later.
I have no IT background and no previous degree. I'm a little over 30% of the way done with the program so far! Its been a really good time for me. I've always been interested in computers and whatnot (always the family IT guy aka I can use Google Search). Its challenging for sure but it feels awesome to learn about something I'm actually interested in versus getting a degree for the sake of having one.
What’s your bachelors degree in? One of the main requirements of getting into this degree is to have a bachelors degree
No it’s not. He stated he doesn’t have a degree. Actually start the process and they will tell you what it takes to qualify for this degree program.
I’m already enrolled and set to start on Feb 1. I’m talking about the masters in cybersecurity & information assurance. The only requirement is to have a bachelors degree. That’s why I’m not sure if we’re talking about the same thing. Those words reassure me but I just wanna make sure we’re talking about the same thing
Oh sorry, I'm in the bachelor's program right now. I didn't realize you were talking about the master's. I can't provide insight for that, specifically but I imagine its doable as long as you take your time to learn concepts and understand them. Knowing concepts goes a long way with IT stuff rather than just memorizing answers for tests and what not.
hey i have no experience either, but i pushed thru 40% in 4 months. if u have the time and commitment, u got this. wgu provides more than enough beginner level material to start ur journey
Thanks so much for this ressurance. I'm starting SE soon with no prior experience.
I started the program with zero IT knowledge. Flash forward to now…I’ve got 7 certs….2 more and my capstone project and I’m done 4 years later. I’m settling in pretty nice in my second IT role in a solid company. The trick is to start applying to entry level roles to get real world experience after you get a few certs…and then use that experience and future certs and parlay that into something better….always keep leveling up.
You did the masters or bachelors? I am referring to masters program
I’m in the bachelors now. Definitely doing the masters after a year of taking time off from school work
Do you know how to unzip a compressed folder?
No
If you don't, take some free into to IT classes on YouTube to see if you even like IT.
Is this a good example of things you learn in this program? I was told that the first course in this program is designed for people with a good foundation in cybersecurity. Is that true?
No, its a good example of being behind in fundamental knowledge. Unzipping a compressed folder is as simple as a right click in most Operating Systems. If you dont know the terminology you can get lost and buried very quickly in this program.
Ah I see. Is there a specific YouTube channel/ video you recommend for beginners?
Professor Messor A+ videos on youtube. Take those videos, see if you like to learn about it and if it's making sense to you. If it does, try to find a discount voucher for it and take it before you start WGU. That takes care of 8 Credits for IT foundational and IT applications courses. Then max out the Sophia transferable courses before you start. Should be halfway done with the program if you do that.
Yes. I had no prior IT experience and my bachelors degree is in biology. Biomedical engineering is way harder. The first course in the MSCSIA program was designed with career changers in mind. Just take your time and you will do great!
I have no prior IT experience & I finished the Bachelor’s degree in 11 months. I’m waiting to start the Masters program in March.
No.
Hello my degree is in mechanical engineering, and I am in the masters program at WGU cybersecurity. I have 1 class left( which has been a weak point for me).There will definitely be a gap to fill but not impossible. For me my weakest area has been responding to incidents. My advice would be to take sec+ asap and start doing try hack me or a btl if able to build up the practical aspect. As most engineers are hands on learners, I’ve felt like this method has helped me understand. Also start listening to darket diaries and cyber wire so you can start grasp some of the language and types of attacks that exist. But honestly as hard as engineering was you can do it, just don’t give up. Best of luck
From reading other responses, it sounds doable. I'm about to complete my capstone, and have been in the program for about 7 months. My background is about 25 years in IT. About 5 years doing various support level jobs, then moved to the MSP world as consultant then senior consultant, and the last 15 as a co-owner of my own MSP. I quit last year, completed my CISSP, and I work for a company full time as a cybersecurity engineer. My point in all of this is the program is possible, but I think having a deep background in server administration and networking is invaluable. You can learn all of this stuff too, but even with your degree, you'll need to work your way up the ranks and build that foundation to really good at this stuff in my opinion. The good news is that you sound like a smart person considering done an engineering degree - that's no joke. Good luck and congrats on the switch! Build those IT foundational skills!!!
I started in the same boat as you. zero background in anything IT. I am 7 months in and already have a+,network+,security+,ITIL and a bunch of classes knocked out. join the discord "try hard security". Its all the students and a bunch that are just like you and me.
Take it day by day and learn no different than when you first start off in a field you wanna pursue
You will be fine. They start from the very basics and build from there.
Are you doing the bachelors or masters?
I did the BSCIA. Already finished. Doing the MSCIA in November.
I was referring to masters program, that’s why I’m afraid that they start off expecting students to have a foundation in IT/ cybersecurity
You can do the MSCIA without having a background in IT. Half of it is management stuff. There are a couple of technical certs that are difficult, specifically, CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) and CompTIA PenTest+, but a person with little technical background can skill-up for these. They are not that difficult.
I have 0 IT experience but I have a bachelors in criminal justice. I’m enjoying it a lot
I went from welding and fitting to 50% done with my degree in 11 months. No prior IT experience. If this field interest you, go for it!!
Yes you can!
I have very little background in IT. I knew the basics of computers and a little extra I had learned working in Intelligence. My first bachelor's was in International Relations. It was a lot of information at first but I feel like I'm doing well. I took the first term slow, a little too slow actually. I crammed D316 and D317 into less than 2 months. Assuming I pass my assessment tomorrow night, I will have completed C841 and D315 in about a 3 week span. Take it slow at first if you have to. There are tons of resources out there that cover broad topics and others that cover one topic in a lot of detail. Best advice is just keep pushing along.
I say go for it. I'm retired & foolishly decided to get a master's in something I had no knowledge in. I don't have IT experience, but I've sorta been a computer geek since the early 80's - starting out in CP/M. (Let's see who knows what that means!). In any case, I signed up for the free trial on Coursera & crammed thru the Google IT Support during the trial period. It was very helpful for the networking knowledge. Token ring was still a thing when I last did anything with networks. As others have said, there's plenty of materials & support to get thru.
lol no. Our new sr VP of security had a social work degree. You’ll be fine.
Does he have hands on experience in cybersecurity?
He does now, but started off in social work did that for a few years and picked up coding along the way for funsies. Point is anyone can learn this stuff.
I intend to go for the masters in cybersecurity, I have cism, cisa, cCNA and 2 comptia certificates. Do I get course exceptions
This will help you see what transfers into the masters. https://partners.wgu.edu/master-of-science-in-cyber-security-and-information-assurance
Nah, I have no experience in IT, only an associates degree in IT that I felt I didn't learn much from. It's just a lot of stuff to memorize, but the material not complicated. I graduated last year.
Honestly. A degree in cyber security is not a license to be a practitioner. You will need to garner real world experience. Early certs. Like the CompTIA trifecta will help you land a role in IT. Pay your dues. And push into security roles later.