From Construction Worker to Security Engineer

“I didn’t know where to start learning cyber security until TryHackMe”
~ Paul Motley

Here is the story of how Paul used TryHackMe to land his first job in security.

How did you start learning cyber security?

When I worked in construction, I found my passion for computing and worked nights to understand the basics, soon becoming a school technician.

I loved the idea of having a career in cyber security but didn’t know where to start learning. That was until I found TryHackMe, which gave me the knowledge and hands-on experience to land a full-time position as a security engineer.

What was the most challenging part of learning cyber security, and how did you rise above those challenges?

The most challenging part was figuring out where and how to start. As a new learner, it can be really daunting, and TryHackMe does an amazing job of handling this by guiding you through the basics with their learning paths.

How did TryHackMe help you learn?

I went through TryHackMe’s learning paths and was instantly addicted to the fun and beginner-friendly way of learning. The platform allowed me to learn progressively, going through the basics, and soon enough, I was hacking real-world scenario machines on my own.

I love that TryHackMe helps anyone with no experience get into cyber security. It’s really easy to understand the basics and put this into practice by legally hacking machines in TryHackMe’s safe environment all through the browser. The fun exercises and challenges make it a joy to learn.

What have you accomplished with your newly learned skills?

Because of what I learned on TryHackMe, I’m now a full-time security engineer.

What advice would you give someone just starting in cyber security?

Cyber security can be confusing because it seems like there’s so much to learn, but focus on understanding the core concepts of technology. Once you’ve grasped this, you can try the different security areas (offensive or defensive) to see which one you prefer.

Try to find someone (like a friend or partner) to learn with together. It’s beneficial because you can motivate and support each other. I introduced my wife to TryHackMe, and we regularly learn together. She loves that all the lessons are entirely web-based, giving her all the tools to get started learning anywhere, at any time!

How did you feel about switching your career, and what would you say to others in the same position?

I was very excited to switch my career. The best advice I can give is to make sure you give yourself credit. Everyone gets imposter syndrome, even the most skilled people, so take pride in making small progressive steps when learning!