the hacker’s roadmap (how to get started in IT in 2023)

NetworkChuck Technology Careers Career & Money

About this video

NetworkChuck lays out an eight-part roadmap for getting started in IT or cybersecurity in 2023, which he claims could lead to a six-figure salary faster than expected — presented as the creator’s claim, not a guarantee — and stresses landing a first job and gaining experience as early as possible. Parts 1-5 are for everyone: (1) foundations via CompTIA A+, described as a broad sample platter covering virtualization, cloud, networking, OS, security, and troubleshooting, useful for a first help desk job even if you skip the two exams the creator prices at $249 each; (2) CompTIA Security+, which he calls resume gold and notes is required for many government jobs under DoD 8570, priced by the creator at $392; (3) networking via CompTIA Network+ or, preferably in his view, the Cisco CCNA, which he calls the gold standard for its hands-on Cisco configuration skills, priced by the creator at $300 versus $358 for Network+; (4) Linux, where the knowledge matters more than the Linux+ credential; and (5) coding, starting Python or Go a couple of days a week from early on. Parts 6-8 are hacking-specific: start CTFs on PicoCTF, TryHackMe, and Hack The Box, then a junior pen-testing cert — CompTIA PenTest+ or INE’s eJPT — then stop at the OSCP and build experience instead of collecting more certs. He ends with sample A+ practice questions using Boson ExSim-Max.

Key takeaways

Build foundations before specializing: the creator recommends studying A+ material first because it fills unknown gaps and prepares you for the realistic first job — help desk / technical support
Security+ is treated as non-negotiable in the roadmap for both foundational security knowledge and hiring, including its DoD 8570 compliance for government roles
For networking the creator prefers CCNA over Network+ because it proves you can configure Cisco gear, not just explain concepts, while noting Network+ is vendor-neutral
Learn Linux and Python/Go alongside the cert path rather than after it — a little coding a few days a week and early CTF practice on PicoCTF, TryHackMe, and Hack The Box reveal knowledge gaps
Stop collecting certifications after OSCP, per the roadmap: after PenTest+ or eJPT and then OSCP, real-world job experience is presented as more valuable than additional certs

Episode details: published January 5, 2023 · 20:54 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. Business results and any income figures mentioned are NetworkChuck’s own claims, shared for education — they are not typical or guaranteed.

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