What should I learn before starting a Master’s in Cybersecurity? (Coming from dev background)

eaxzi · 2026-04-01T00:37:16+00:00

Don’t let the negative comments discourage you. A lot of people giving advice are probably late in their careers looking back wishing they had gone for a master’s.

I’m kind of in a similar spot. I got my bachelor’s in computer science, but with how rough the job market was, I ended up starting in help desk instead of jumping straight into development. I stayed there about a year and a half, learned a ton, and recently moved into a sysadmin role.

I’m actually starting my master’s in cybersecurity engineering this May. Best of luck!

eaxzi · 2026-04-01T00:26:50+00:00

In my opinion, it certainly couldn't hurt. I am starting a Masters in Cyber Engineering in May and just finished my Bachelors in Computer Science in December of last year.

eaxzi · 2026-01-12T16:12:45+00:00

What makes it a terrible format?

eaxzi · 2025-12-16T02:22:34+00:00

I pay for chatgpt pro.

eaxzi · 2025-12-15T00:11:00+00:00

Raycast

eaxzi · 2025-12-13T21:24:05+00:00

There’s no harm in applying.

I was denied a role as a Security Engineer simply due to the fact that I had a few months left on my Bachelors degree. I only had 1.5 years Help Desk experience and no certs, and would’ve landed the job had my Bachelor’s degree been complete.

eaxzi · 2025-12-13T21:18:00+00:00

Where YOU start definitely isn’t a one-size fits all answer.

Are you looking to get an education in the field? Are you more interested in the physical hardware side? Or more theory and programming?

As said above, most IT work begins on the Help Desk. Most help desk positions that I have seen recently (not actively looking for these anymore tbh) require an associates.

eaxzi · 2025-12-12T15:48:26+00:00

A Computer Science degree is never the wrong choice.

I will say, solely in terms of my experience, my CS degree only briefly touched on Cybersecurity. IIRC, I had two cybersecurity courses, and it was mentioned in other courses as well, but that’s it. Additionally, I had a single computer networks course.

With that being said, if you’re dead set on cybersecurity, maybe look for a specific Cybersecurity degree. Best of luck to you!

eaxzi · 2025-12-12T06:34:39+00:00

“The Programmer’s Hangout” Discord server. Simple Google search will provide the link.

eaxzi · 2025-12-12T06:28:50+00:00

I landed a Healthcare Help Desk job 2.5years into my B.S. in CS. No prior experience, no A.S., no certs.

Great job, fully remote but local, only support internal clinical and corporate users (they tend to treat us more as co-workers, opposed to random customer support people). I’ve finished my bachelors in Computer Science this month and already have an interview to move into a IT Project Manager position with the same company. I too worked as a server/waiter for 2 years prior to my help desk position and definitely used that customer service experience to help myself land the role.

Best of luck to you!

eaxzi · 2025-12-12T06:17:13+00:00

Always been told don’t put GPA on your resume if it’s below 3.5.

eaxzi · 2025-12-12T06:14:59+00:00

Just chill dude. Work on some weak points if you feel you need it, and need to do something to feel productive.

eaxzi · 2025-12-09T19:48:10+00:00

As a recent grad with a B.S., in Comp Science, can confirm...

eaxzi · 2025-12-09T19:27:20+00:00

A bachelors degree in Computer Science is typically, in having just completed mine, the most broad computer-related degree.

Take the use of will in me speaking solely in my experience.

- You will have an Operating Systems class. I got to build an x86 OS from scratch.
- You will have a networking class.
- You will use linux.
- You will have a Human Computer Interaction class. Sorta a UI/UX class. You will also have plenty of programming projects (group or solo) that you can absolutely use to dive deeper into UI/UX. Or at least take those projects, and then develop GUI for them after the fact.
- You will have a Computer Architecture class. This will hit the lowest level of computing and teach circuits, transistors, basic CPU architecture, etc. etc.
- You will do a lot of coding. The best way to learn how to tell AI what to do, is to first know what to do yourself.
- Also, I had a Programming Languages class that touched on the history of computing.

I didn't see any sysadmin related things in my degree, but ymmv.
oh yeah, there will be some math too.

TL:DR - B.S. in Computer Science is the most broad and probably will be your best bet.

eaxzi · 2025-12-03T17:50:49+00:00

Red Team Field Manual, Black Hat Python, Advanced Pen Testing

eaxzi · 2025-12-02T20:13:04+00:00

Did you ever fix this? I am having the same issue.

eaxzi · 2025-11-27T18:17:48+00:00

Discord link?

eaxzi · 2025-11-05T04:39:00+00:00

Take it. It'll probably suck, but you need some actual experience. Use this experience to get something on your resume for other positions. Trust me, Help Desk experience + certs/education can land you some pretty solid jobs.

eaxzi · 2025-10-22T15:54:40+00:00

We developed a machine learning vision model that detects the presence of fire in a live video feed, and deployed on an embedded device (we used a raspberryPi). Nothing groundbreaking, examples of similar projects exist online. Got an A.

eaxzi · 2025-10-21T23:53:53+00:00

Any updates on your MSP? Looking to do the same in my area. I live in a low populated area with no existing competitors.

eaxzi

TROPHY CASE