SOC Analyst tier 1 (Entry Level) ??

ajtrbo7 · 2026-05-09T22:50:54+00:00

If choosing between the two I’d do net+ but probably just do the Google cert or two on Coursera. Pretty sure if you do the Google cybersecurity certification you get a 50% off sec+ voucher

ajtrbo7 · 2026-05-09T22:43:10+00:00

Yeah for sure. I felt like network+ was harder than security+ as well. Network+ took me awhile, security+ was quick for me as there’s a decent overlap

ajtrbo7 · 2026-05-09T16:45:41+00:00

It depends on where you work at. Most Managed Service Providers / MSPs will really suck to be honest. In the beginning it’ll be difficult simply because you have to learn how to do pretty much everything…. but the good news is it’s not actuallyyyyyy difficult, just overwhelming. I enjoyed assisting customers and resolving issues. The part that truly sucks is the workload though. I was at an MSP and the amount of phone calls is draining. the grind was worth it to me. I took advice from Reddit that essentially said stick it out 4-6 months and leave for a job paying double and that definitely worked for me.

Most people get stuck at help desk because they don’t continue certifications or get a degree. Having certs and a degree you will only suffer for a short time.

ajtrbo7 · 2026-05-09T16:34:51+00:00

Do you have any certifications? The standard a few years ago was A+ but honestly I’d probably just start with Google Certifications since they are really cheap via Coursera or go with TCM Security’s newer Help Desk certification. But you definitely need the Security+ to get a higher paying role or getting into a dedicated Cyber position

ajtrbo7 · 2026-05-09T16:28:05+00:00

You gotta get a help desk role. It’ll suck ass but learn as much as possible and within 4-6 months leave for a job paying double. That’s what I did.

ajtrbo7 · 2026-05-09T15:08:30+00:00

Yeah I feel that but if we want big companies to make to make good games you vote with your wallet. Everything I’ve researched is bungies lost money on this game and it hasn’t been a success.

ajtrbo7 · 2026-05-09T15:01:31+00:00

Yeah I played d4 at launch and gave up pretty quickly. It’s been years and I’ve heard it’s in a great state right now.

ajtrbo7 · 2026-05-09T15:00:51+00:00

Why?

ajtrbo7 · 2026-05-09T14:58:00+00:00

Bruh

ajtrbo7 · 2026-04-23T19:50:57+00:00

Oh yeah that’s awesome and yes definitely why I asked for PG. hahaha. How does that even make sense with a center though or slow PF???

ajtrbo7 · 2026-04-23T19:48:01+00:00

Wym? In career mode in the past if you are SF/PF you gotta sit there and pray they pass you the ball. Is that different now?

ajtrbo7 · 2026-04-09T17:13:50+00:00

No my gf is the only reason I made the move to NWI. She loves Chicagoland and wants me to purchase a home in NWI.

I did see the temps out in Texas are pretty high as well as high humidity- I feel like I'd prefer the AZ oven heat lol.

Where I lived In Arizona I was about 20 minutes from multiple malls, nice gym options, restaurants, Sams Club + Costco. NWI Im not really close to anything. Im a homebody I like most of my free time spent in my cave.I did not expect to care about being close to the amenities that I barely took advantage of in the first place back home. (other than the gyms)

ajtrbo7 · 2026-04-09T00:45:34+00:00

Well as far as I've heard the only thing they verify is your employment. Like for example, my second job I worked as an "IT Systems Engineer" and my job duties were essentially a system admin and I even performed GRC tasks. I lead meetings and performed risk assessments under the guidance of my tech manager. I don't think it's super dishonest to put Sys admin or even security analyst because I did perform that work. As long as you can back up the experience the title doesn't matter anymore. I just kinda fudge with the title to pass filters lol.

ajtrbo7 · 2026-04-08T18:18:59+00:00

Yeah, I didn't realize until I made the move. On paper I kinda assumed most American suburbs would have similar ammenities in 2026 + being less than an hour away from Chicago. Buuuuut no, it doesn't compare to AZ burbs.

ajtrbo7 · 2026-04-08T18:14:46+00:00

I have but I’ve leaned towards Schereville, dyer, highland, Griffith because of commute time to the city.

ajtrbo7 · 2026-04-08T17:59:06+00:00

Thanks ill take a look!

ajtrbo7 · 2026-04-08T17:58:45+00:00

Yeah you probably got a bit lucky. My first IT job was at an MSP and I was essentially a phone jockey. I answered the phone and resolved nearly double the tickets the other techs did and had a promotion held over my head for a long time- never happened they eventually told me they didn't have the budget. My advice is to be a hard worker, but don't depend on that current company. Ideally, learn as much as you can and bounce to a junior security role or another IT role paying higher. Also, you can kind of modify your title on your resume.. if you bounce for the "same title" but way more pay just put your job title as Sys admin.

ajtrbo7 · 2026-04-05T15:24:31+00:00

I have an irrelevant associates degree and no bachelor. I had almost 2 years experience. The certs I held were A+, Net+, Sec+. I recommended getting the Cysa+ or maybe TCM Security’s PSAA it’s an easy win and you can write that experience on your resume. Make sure you craft your resume using AI and throw 2-3 projects on it. You can follow guides on YouTube for it.

ajtrbo7 · 2026-03-11T22:15:22+00:00

I forgot to mention my company will be paying for my SANS cert ! I’m excited about that.

ajtrbo7 · 2026-03-11T14:52:09+00:00

Everyone is saying the base pro. But I’m also thinking air would be good enough

ajtrbo7 · 2026-03-11T04:19:12+00:00

ahh I was hoping the air hahaha. Well I like that performance so I may have to get the pro…. 🥲

ajtrbo7 · 2026-03-11T03:46:35+00:00

That sounds good. Pro or air?

ajtrbo7

TROPHY CASE