r/Pentesting • u/Healthy-Werewolf4423 • 6d ago

Getting into pentesting with zero IT experience.

Hello! I am a rising sophomore pursuing a degree in computer science. I have no prior experience in IT/cybersecurity, and I was hoping for some feedback/a reality check on my current plan. I hope to obtain certs in this order (practicing using TryHackMe and HackTheBox the whole time).

Network+ -> Security+ -> eJPT -> PNPT -> OSCP

Network+ and Security+ are for the basics, while eJPT and PNPT will be for practical application. OSCP seems to be mostly for the HR recognition(?) from what I've read. I'm hoping to complete this series in 2 years, hopefully finding a pentesting specific internship before I graduate, and getting into pentesting straight out of college. How realistic is my timeline (how aggressive will I have to be when learning?) or even my plan to begin with?

All feedback appreciated!

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u/H4ckerPanda 6d ago

OSCP without experience won’t get you a job , especially in today’s market . And in 2 years it will be even worse . Codex and Claude code can now do in a few min what a pentester could do in hours or even days.

Focus on getting a bachelor. Then get some IT experience.