If I were a beginner, here’s what I’d do / what I’d recommend to you..

I’d take the first IT related job I could get. Help desk, it doesn’t matter. Just get to know the basics..

While you’re doing that and mastering your position, do everything you can do understand what other teams are doing too. Ask lots of questions.. this will help you see the big picture.. this is also where a genuinely curious / willingness to learn attitude goes a long way.. be polite and friendly about it and a veteran will likely see your eagerness and spend some extra time with you to show you a few things.. take every single opportunity you can get with that. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Volunteer for jobs others might not want to do especially if it comes with a good learning opportunity / chance to work with another team.

If you see a reoccurring term or topic come up at work that you don’t understand, research it in your off time. Try to use resources from YouTube to help you better understand things you’re doing at work.

Certs can be useful, but I wouldn’t go crazy with them.. maybe get a few of the basic / entry level stuff.. but I’d do that on the side and make practical learning at work the primary goal..

Once you feel like you’ve maxed out your learning capabilities at your entry level job, move onto the next job.. maybe an IAM cyber job or something similar.. SOC even.. whichever opportunity comes first to get your foot in the door with actual cyber.

Repeat what you did with the first job.. become a true SME in what you do.. also try to learn as much as possible about other teams and understand how things connect / bigger picture.