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<h2>Why I Chose Cybersecurity</h2><figure id="figure-0s23ox2f49mef4bo2g"><img id="0s23ox2f49mef4bo2g" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2202620241/photo/man-at-fork-in-the-road-decision-making-uncertainty-and-life-choices-3d-render.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=K0-GqCMDMoDoQA2oQwyQytO_5zqeedoh11A7ACruAXs=" alt="Man at Fork in the Road Decision-Making, Uncertainty, and Life Choices, 3D Render" title="Man at Fork in the Road Decision-Making, Uncertainty, and Life Choices, 3D Render" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2202620241/photo/man-at-fork-in-the-road-decision-making-uncertainty-and-life-choices-3d-render.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=K0-GqCMDMoDoQA2oQwyQytO_5zqeedoh11A7ACruAXs=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure> It started because I was stuck. I had three kids to support, a dead-end job, stagnant wages, and no trust in my company’s future. The economy felt upside down, and I knew something had to change.Beyond that, I wanted more than just a paycheck. I wanted a career where what I did truly mattered. Sure, every job has value, but I craved impact on a bigger scale. I wanted to solve meaningful problems, protect people, and know my work carried weight.The truth is, I’ve been bored in nearly every job I’ve had. I learn fast, adapt quickly, and excel—but once the challenge is gone, so is the excitement. I like to fix broken things, increase efficiency, test new ideas, and push myself. Most roles I held just couldn’t keep up with that drive.But the real wake-up call wasn’t boredom—it was responsibility. I was approaching 40, earning too little, and still moving like someone in their early 20s without a plan. Reality hit hard: I had to take control.<figure id="figure-es6aajh59bmef4dicp"><img id="es6aajh59bmef4dicp" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2196629735/photo/phishing-cyber-security-fingerprint-ransomware-email-encrypted-technology-digital-information.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=A282q1eMz4aSWZf5QG51betReAEt5MsYR5XQ2VahGkw=" alt="Phishing Cyber Security Fingerprint Ransomware Email Encrypted Technology, Digital Information Protected Secured" title="Phishing Cyber Security Fingerprint Ransomware Email Encrypted Technology, Digital Information Protected Secured" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2196629735/photo/phishing-cyber-security-fingerprint-ransomware-email-encrypted-technology-digital-information.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=A282q1eMz4aSWZf5QG51betReAEt5MsYR5XQ2VahGkw=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>I don’t even remember exactly how cybersecurity crossed my radar. But once it did, it clicked. With the world shifting deeper into the digital age, the risks are massive—and so is the need. You can either learn to ride the wave or drown. I chose to surf.Cybersecurity felt like a field where my skills could finally align with purpose:Protecting people and businesses from losing what matters most—their data, identity, and livelihoods. Thinking like an attacker to strengthen defenses. Staying on my toes in a field that changes daily, with new tools, threats, and opportunities. It felt like putting on a digital cape. Finally, a career that was challenging, rewarding, and meaningful.As of now, I’ve completed a cybersecurity bootcamp, earned my Security+ certification, and am focused on landing my first role in the industry. The job market isn’t easy—especially for newcomers—but I’m no quitter. Every rejection is just fuel to keep going.<figure id="figure-frpz0odu7jmef4ewed"><img id="frpz0odu7jmef4ewed" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2162089677/photo/business-strategy-and-mission-statement-concept-the-words-mission-values-and-vision-on.jpg?b=1&s=2048x2048&w=0&k=20&c=OpM_yjf4P3tpQ_VG8iBMHLjl90Y4yedbfj6fAElx550=" alt="Business strategy and mission statement concept. The words mission, values and vision on adhesive note papers." title="Business strategy and mission statement concept. The words mission, values and vision on adhesive note papers." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionX="undefined" data-positionY="undefined" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure>This is more than a career shift—it’s a mission. A chance to make a real impact, stay challenged, and build a future my kids can look up to. Here’s to what comes next.

Chasing Challenge, Finding Purpose: My Path to Cybersecurity

Man check online document test collect scores from tests, education, checklist and online exam

<h3>I Took the CompTIA Security+ Exam — Here's the Truth</h3> The CompTIA Security+ exam is not to be underestimated.I’ve always tested well—through school, through professional licensing, you name it. I typically finish early, and I pass on the first attempt. Confident as ever, I walked into the Security+ exam ready to conquer it.Then the test started.<h3>&nbsp; The PBQ Reality Check</h3> The first Performance-Based Question (PBQ) hit me like a truck. Then came the second. Then the third. None of them looked remotely like anything I had practiced. My confidence took a nosedive.Moving into the multiple-choice section didn’t help either. I started to question everything. Did I take the exam too soon? Was I about to eat the cost of a retake?<figure id="figure-vt912gnxckmdub81mn"><img id="vt912gnxckmdub81mn" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/496197511/photo/student-with-head-in-hands-using-laptop.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=EYe9oCtsql1bSh7FUc1a0PbsSZZVNcgD7ZVKLxaMuFs=" alt="Student with head in hands using laptop" title="Student with head in hands using laptop" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/496197511/photo/student-with-head-in-hands-using-laptop.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=EYe9oCtsql1bSh7FUc1a0PbsSZZVNcgD7ZVKLxaMuFs=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>From No Tech Background to Ethical Hacking Aspirations</h3> I don’t come from a strong tech background. Sure, I used computers, played games, swapped out RAM, and a hard drive or two—but nothing serious. Then, early in 2025, I had a harsh realization about my career and needed a change. Somehow, ethical hacking landed on my radar.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; "How cool would it be to get paid to hack into computers?" I did my research, liked what I saw, and enrolled in a cybersecurity boot camp starting in March 2025.<figure id="figure-8uiporvpvomdubcixw"><img id="8uiporvpvomdubcixw" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/92036860/photo/cable-guy.jpg?b=1&s=2048x2048&w=0&k=20&c=U6F46XA7ribBI1rDZ12kMUCz4VKzxAotg7dBmNHqTro=" alt="cable guy" title="cable guy" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionX="undefined" data-positionY="undefined" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure><h3>&nbsp;</h3><h3> Bootcamp to Exam in 6 Months</h3> Security+ was a requirement in my program. I finished the boot camp in 4.5 months and immediately jumped into study mode.To earn my exam voucher, I needed to score 90+ on practice tests. I quickly reached that benchmark and, full of confidence, scheduled my real exam just two weeks after graduation.But then I started wondering—was I actually understanding the material, or just memorizing patterns?<h3>&nbsp; A Dose of Humility from CertPreps</h3> A Google search led me to CertPreps 2.0, which offers free practice exams. I thought, why not?•First score: 78 •Second score: 71 •Third score: 78 Panic started to set in. I was five days away from my exam.Aside from the bootcamp and some Professor Messer videos on YouTube, I hadn’t used any paid resources—I didn’t want to drop $100+ on study materials.CertPreps offered 17 more exams for $3.50. Sold.I also used ChatGPT to break down my wrong answers. My typical prompt looked like:&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;“Please summarize the question, explain why the correct answer is correct,&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;how it's relevant to Security+ domains, and how I should interpret this kind of&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;question on the exam.” This helped deepen my understanding.<h3>&nbsp; My Practice Exam Scores</h3> I took 9 CertPreps practice exams with scores like:•77, 78 (3x) •One 71, one 79 •A few standouts: 82, 85, and 88 <figure id="figure-nedvvkk9vumdub0csw" data-full-width=""><img id="nedvvkk9vumdub0csw" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1eAh1ZyYdYXmunSWiU6n1AREAJMSYezqwk0vByAMVVlX4wjaQgsNnhVM5gIYIM5E.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="true" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1eAh1ZyYdYXmunSWiU6n1AREAJMSYezqwk0vByAMVVlX4wjaQgsNnhVM5gIYIM5E.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: undefined undefined;"></figure>Still, I had doubts. Back to Google and ChatGPT. Was I ready? What do other people say? What scores are “safe”?The internet had no consensus. Some passed easily. Others failed despite strong practice scores.Eventually, I said:“Forget it. I’ve tested well my whole life. I’m doing this.”<h3> &nbsp; Test Day: The Struggle Was Real</h3> Back to where this post began: instant regret. The PBQs demanded tasks I may have practiced once, if at all. My materials hadn’t prepared me for this level of depth.Even the multiple-choice questions were way more profound than any practice test. I was staring at the screen like:&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;“WTF is this question even asking me?” I flagged the PBQs, finished the rest, and then reviewed every question I could. I watched the clock tick down, using almost every second.<h3>&nbsp; The Dreaded Survey… and the Surprise</h3> When I clicked submit, I wasn’t met with my score—I was met with a survey.Cruel.Finally, the results appeared...I PASSED!<img id="kfy2g91xpmdub9mcs" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/470930211/photo/pass-and-fail-choice.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=-Ghn026peVvuz8Q5h0Gi8TfDca5MDkyvthl7EtUO0aE=" alt="Pass and Fail Choice" title="Pass and Fail Choice" class="object-cover bg-gray-100" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/470930211/photo/pass-and-fail-choice.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=-Ghn026peVvuz8Q5h0Gi8TfDca5MDkyvthl7EtUO0aE=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;">Score: 784 / 900. Not as high as I hoped, but it was above the 750 cutoff—and that’s all that mattered.<h3> </h3><h3> Final Thoughts and Advice</h3> •Do not underestimate the exam. Practice exams are helpful, but they rarely match the depth of the real thing. •Go deeper than the surface. Learn concepts in each domain, not just definitions. Study why things matter. •Practice PBQs in virtual labs or simulators when possible. •Use tools like ChatGPT, Professor Messer, or CertPreps strategically—but don’t rely on them alone. &nbsp;<h3> To Future Test Takers </h3>Good luck to anyone preparing for this beast of an exam. Be humble, be thorough, and don’t take your preparation lightly.I’ll see you on the other side.

MCHxSec

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Chasing Challenge, Finding Purpose: My Path to Cybersecurity

From Confident to Panicking: My Real Security+ Exam Exper...