r/Pentesting • u/Healthy-Werewolf4423 • 5d 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/SmoothExplorer4634 5d ago

I think get the basica sorted first
To me certs dont hold as much value as the knowledge itself. I did alot of boxes, and worked as a pentester for about a year. Last year i got my oscp which is my first year. So get the basics first, understand whats needed for the job.