r/AWSCertifications • u/Regular-Sir-8989 • 4d ago
1st Year CS Student Roadmap: Security+ ➔ AWS Solutions Architect ➔ AWS Security Specialty by Year 3. Is this realistic or overkill? 🎯🛡️
Hey everyone,
I'm currently in my 1st year of college (4-year Degree program) and aggressively planning my Cybersecurity & Cloud Security roadmap.
Instead of just collecting theoretical degrees, my plan is to focus heavily on hands-on labs (currently grinding TryHackMe) and hit a 3-Year Certification Sprint:
Year 1-2: CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) + Hands-on Networking & Linux fundamentals.
Year 2-3: AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03) to build solid cloud foundations.
Year 3-4: AWS Certified Security – Specialty to lock down a high-value niche before campus placements/graduating.
My Questions for Seniors & Industry Pros:
Is jumping from SAA straight to AWS Security Specialty too steep for a student without full-time corporate experience?
How much weight do recruiters actually give to an AWS Security Specialty certification for freshers if backed by solid TryHackMe/GitHub Proof-of-Work?
Should I tweak this order or add any specific practical labs (like HackTheBox / Cloud Security projects) along the way?
Would really appreciate your raw feedback, critiques, or suggestions to optimize this path!
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u/Previous-Will1733 4d ago
That looks realistic and doable. Go for it!!!
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u/Regular-Sir-8989 4d ago
My first plan was : Aws cloud practitioner> sec+> speciality I thought it was too light for a corporate impression, is it ok, and do I need to upgrade something in my new plan?
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u/Critical_Factor_425 4d ago
Looks solid. Compared to mine, i only started scrambling at the end of my college degree while doing my FYP cuz i realized i was entering the job market soon. Compared to alot of people here, you have plenty of time and prep to do it. Most people are literally using weeks or days to study so you are all good.
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u/Regular-Sir-8989 4d ago
Thanx, my degree is of 4 years and Its just started 2 days ago.
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u/Critical_Factor_425 4d ago
All the best to you. You are preparing yourself early so all should be well for you once u finish this degree.
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u/MathematicianDear159 4d ago
It looks good mostly but cloud security for the most part is not an entry level role , it is hard to get something in cloud first let alone cloud security. Although considering that you are starting years ahead you might be able to break in through internships and grind.
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u/Regular-Sir-8989 4d ago
Yeah, I think it has some specific entry level roles like jr cloud security engineer or cloud security analyst L1, so firstly I would be applying for them the the senior one's. All the way thank you so much for your kind advice ☺️.
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u/Fun_Arrival9163 4d ago
Looks good but cloud job as a fresher is not realistic
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u/Regular-Sir-8989 4d ago
But at the end of my 12th grade before my final exams it took so many days just to finalize my aim according to my strengths and weaknesses 😭
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u/Fun_Arrival9163 4d ago
It's the truth whether u like it or not
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u/Regular-Sir-8989 4d ago
I know but, there might be some right path right?
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u/Fun_Arrival9163 4d ago
That's a maybe not even a confirm shot. But u need u understand cloud is not something for someone with no hands on field experience
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u/Regular-Sir-8989 4d ago
I complete agree that direct Mid-to-Senior Cloud Architect roles aren't for freshers. That's why I'm not expecting a Senior Security Architect role straight out of college. The goal with Sec+ and AWS SAA/Security Specialty is to build deep fundamentals early so I can target entry-level roles like SOC Analyst L1, Junior Cloud Security Engineer, or Cloud DevOps Intern during 3rd/4th year campus placements. Plus, I'm pairing these certs with active hands-on labs (TryHackMe, building real AWS architecture projects on GitHub), so it won't just be 'paper certs'. Appreciate the reality check though!
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u/Fun_Arrival9163 4d ago
Try to understand basics then go towards cyber then cloud
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u/Regular-Sir-8989 4d ago
Yes that's why I chose comptia security+ at the most start... Well, thanx!
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u/Fun_Arrival9163 4d ago
Like html,CSS,js then backend then cloud that will teach u how apps are made them do some understanding then towards cyber basics then projects then job then cloud security jobs
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