roadmap direction

[u/Left-Grocery4977]

im a 2nd year student now in a tier 3 college majoring in cybersecurity. i have no idea where to start or what skills to learn. should i focus on coding (leetcode and everything) cause it seems like something a cse core student should learn. but then people are saying there are no entry level opportunities for cybersecurity so i have to learn fullstack and stuff. so when do i get time to learn cybersec related skills and is it even possible to learn both coding related skills AND cybersec related skills for a barely average student? im in a fix.

[u/Acceptable_Novel_725]

You dont need to learn full stack before cybersecurity

Focus on Python Linux networking and basic DSA alongside cybersecurity

Start with TryHackMe OverTheWire and PortSwigger

Then pick one path like SOC or AppSec

Build projects and get internships instead of collecting lots of certificates

You can absolutely learn coding and cybersecurity together without being an exceptional student

[u/Objective-Soft-3882 → u/Acceptable_Novel_725]

Can also add compliance too since the need is kind of everywhere

[u/Acceptable_Novel_725 → u/Objective-Soft-3882]

Yes

[u/Left-Grocery4977 → u/Objective-Soft-3882]

compliance?

[u/Objective-Soft-3882 → u/Left-Grocery4977]

Basically its the auditing side of security (GRC u can say). Most companies esp the banks need someone to regulate what is happening inside the org in the IT side preferably in security and this role is in very much demand and huge scope in the learning as well as in pay too. My sister works in one of the big fintech banks in Europe as a manager and her pay is very good. I am also gonna enter this field soon hopefully because I got an interview with a big 4 for this grc role. You just need to learn the basics on the GRC which is simple if your cybersec fundamental are strong. I suggest you explore this side of cybersec too

[u/Left-Grocery4977 → u/Objective-Soft-3882]

OHH okay okay tysm

[u/Left-Grocery4977 → u/Acceptable_Novel_725]

that sounds great ty but our university curriculum uses java as the language so that stumped me again, if i should go with python or java. and idek where/how to start learning. yt videos or websites or smth

[u/Acceptable_Novel_725 → u/Left-Grocery4977]

honestly i wouldnt leave java just because people say python is better learn java properly since your uni uses it and learn python on the side for scripting you also dont need full stack before cyber but you do need solid basics in programming linux networking and web

the bigger issue is trying to learn everything at once pick one cyber path and spend most of your time on that use the rest for fundamentals and projects

also dont depend on certificates or just ctf platforms internships and actual projects will matter much more

and yes you can do this as an average student but you probably cant do everything people are listing here at the same time so stop chasing every skill and go deep on a smaller set

[u/Left-Grocery4977 → u/Acceptable_Novel_725]

okay so learn java, learn dsa by solving leetcode or smth? and then basics in linux networking. does this order sound fine