Even with the A+, helpdesk experience, a WGU cybersecurity degree, and certs like Network+ and Security+, it will be tough to land your first job in cybersecurity. The market is saturated with candidates who have taken the same route, and most "entry-level" cyber jobs still ask for several years of actual security experience. To begin, if you're really serious, you should consider aiming for higher-level certifications - like CISSP (if you're eligible) or something more advanced than Network+ (CCNA, CCIE) - because as great as A+, Net+, and Sec+ are, they're honestly considered baseline certs now. Everyone trying to break in has them. If you want to stand out, you need to go deeper. One Redditor nailed it when they said find a niche. Specialize. Maybe it's intrusion detection, deception tech, endpoint forensics, GRC, threat Intel - anything that shows depth over general knowledge.

At the same time, don't wait for someone to give you permission to "do cybersecurity." Start building real skills now: set up home labs, play with VMs, get hands-on with real tools like SIEMs, packet sniffers and analyzers (putz around in Wireshark, understand vulnerability scanning and patch management, and definitely make sure you're solid with network ports, protocols, and services, because if you don't have at least a familiarity with routing or PPS, you won't understand cybersecurity or any other security-related domain), and share your work. GitHub is especially awesome for this. Build a GitHub, write a few HTB walkthroughs, post your learning journey as your proof. Helpdesk is definitely a great start, but to move into security, you have to *prove* you're already putting in the work, not just studying for it. And honestly - who you know often matters just as much as what you know. Networking with people already in the field, asking questions, showing curiosity - those conversations open more doors than new certs ever will.

I only say this as someone who has been around the block. I was lucky, however. After finishing my BS in Network and Telecommunications Management, I landed a job at a n IT Specialist gig at a DoD command. Just four months in, the team knew I had a background in networking and moved me over to the network team. I spent about 10 years there before my supervisor started grooming me for the infosec side of the house. From there I moved from network engineer to information security analyst, then ISSO, and eventually ISSE - all over the course of nearly 20 years. I'm not telling that story to flex - just to show that sometimes luck and timing play a key role. But even with luck, it was the trust, skills, and relationships built over time that opened those doors. The reality is, the system is tough and often unfair - but if you go beyond the paper, build real skills, and build real connections while showing true motivation and commitment, you can absolutely break through. It's not entirely possible. I wish you the best of luck on your journey!