Starting Out in Cybersecurity and AI as a Business Student — Part 1

I want to document my journey and my growing passion for cybersecurity.

My academic path began traditionally enough: a diploma and then a degree in Business. However, after years of studying marketing and working in retail, I realized during my third year that my interest in the field was fading. I realized that the skills I had been building over the last few years felt repetitive, and with an increasingly saturated job market, I knew I needed a path that offered more growth. While searching for a new direction, I stumbled upon TikToks showing the reality of what cybersecurity specialists actually do versus public perception. I was instantly hooked.

I began diving deep into the field online, teaching myself the fundamentals — everything from networking basics and IP addressing to cloud security and Linux file systems. I realized this path could be life-changing. I have always been observant and analytical, and since cybersecurity is a rapidly evolving field that requires staying updated on the latest hacking strategies, I knew I would thrive there.

However, starting as a non-STEM student was daunting. With no prior knowledge of IT or coding, I felt a sense of “imposter syndrome.” Because I was so close to finishing my business degree, I kept my transition a secret from friends and family; I didn’t want to feel like a failure or face judgment for switching gears so late.

I started as a total beginner, scouring YouTube and forums for a roadmap. Eventually, I committed to the Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate. Juggling a full-time degree with this certification was a marathon, but I earned my cert in just one month. Along the way, I felt like the universe was listening — I met an acquaintance who guided me through the basics and helped me narrow down my focus.

Now that I’ve finished the Google cert, I’m using my upcoming term break to prepare for the CompTIA Security+ and start building my own home labs. My ultimate dream is to participate in Capture The Flag (CTF) competitions and one day represent my country.

Currently, I’m building my technical hands-on skills through TryHackMe, navigating virtual machines to boost my confidence. I’m also exploring GitHub to understand version control and documentation. To bridge the gap between my current degree and STEM, I’ve been getting involved in the AI industry, attending webinars, joining hackathons and reading forums to stay immersed in the ecosystem.

Admittedly, I’ve struggled with the courage to attend networking events. It’s hard not to feel like a “nobody” when you don’t have a long list of credentials yet. But I am doing the work every day to change that. I am on the right track and I’m ready to see where this journey leads.

If you have any tips on home projects for beginners or advice for someone pivoting into the field, I would love to hear from you!