Your Options
Multiple Paths. Same Destination: A Solid Career.
College is one path, not the only one. Here are your options.
Pathways
Self-Taught + Certs + Labs
Learn online, get certified, build a home lab, create a portfolio. This is the most flexible path and works for many people.
Community College / ENMU + Labs
Combine affordable college courses with hands-on labs and certs. Get the best of both worlds without massive debt.
Military / SkillBridge
Serve your country, get training, transition to civilian cyber roles. Many veterans find great success in cybersecurity.
Work + Night Study + Home Lab
Start in IT helpdesk or similar, study cybersecurity at night, build skills on weekends. Work your way up.
The Numbers
Cost & Time Comparison
4-Year College
Certs + Labs
Your Action Plan
6-12 Month Sample Plan
Month 1-2
Basic IT & Cyber Fundamentals
Learn networking basics (free courses). Start TryHackMe Complete Beginner path. Set up a basic home lab.
Month 3-4
Intro Cert Prep
Study for Google Cybersecurity Certificate or ISC2 CC. Take practice exams. Join online communities.
Month 5-6
Home Lab + Portfolio Projects
Build 3-5 small projects. Write up what you learned. Create a GitHub portfolio. Get your first cert.
Month 7-12
Apply & Interview
Apply to helpdesk, junior SOC, internships, apprenticeships. Highlight certs and lab work. Network online.
The Real Talk
Mindset: What Actually Matters
Show up consistently. Learning cybersecurity isn't about being a genius. It's about showing up every day, even when it's hard.
Don't compare your day 1 to someone's year 10. Everyone starts somewhere. The person who seems like they know everything? They started where you are now.
Ask for help; community matters. Join TryHackMe, Discord servers, Reddit communities. People want to help. Don't struggle alone.
Build in public. Share what you're learning. Write about your projects. Your portfolio is proof you can do the work.
You can come from Portales, mess around with tech, and still land a six-figure job if you put in work. Your location doesn't limit your potential. Your effort does.