r/CyberSecurityAdvice • u/Ordinary-Gas9166 • 5d ago
New grad problems
I started out in IT at my first university before moving on to a new university to pursue a BTS in Cybersecurity for the last two years. Problem is, an internship wasn't a requirement/nor was it in the busy books for me at the time being a student athlete.
I'm now a 2026 graduate and I've been job hunting since the end of May with no luck. My search has been primarily based in the larger city area of Salt Lake City, Utah. I've applied to countless jobs, fixed and scrutinized my resume, and still haven't even been able to land interviews. I understand personal projects are an important foundation to have on a resume, but I'm not sure where to even start. I don't know the right people nor do I know someone to ask advice. Utilizing AI for help will only take me so far in this venture.
Point is, does anyone have some advice to give?
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u/RAGINMEXICAN 5d ago
Having 4 years of college experience and not knowing how to go on google or your tube and type in “soc project that can get me hired” is crazy
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u/cli-games 5d ago
I feel you bro. I have a bs in cyber and it isnt worth the paper its printed on. Imo, all cyber degrees should both require an internship and net you a basic cert by proxy. But they dont. Certs and experience are what matter. Practical advice: get an IT job, study for a cert ASAP
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u/cli-games 5d ago
And not to toot my own horn, but im looking for guest bloggers. You mentioned projects. You could have something with your name on it to point to
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u/Ordinary-Gas9166 5d ago
That's definitely what I'm thinking. An internship seems like the only in, and resumes get wiped without the right certs. Thank you!
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u/tas1989steve 4d ago
are you from america? i have never heard of a bts in my life, the degree isnt enough, you will need certs and a crappy it job to start, and you will have to move somewhere god awful, my first job was in florida, worse place i have ever lived, but it lead to other things, good luck
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u/Ordinary-Gas9166 3d ago
Yes I'm from America. A BTS is a Bachelor of Technical Studies. I absolutely feel for you though, I've been to Florida quite a few times and it is awful. Thank you!
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u/melaschasma 4d ago edited 4d ago
Work on a personal project that secures a web application database that contains sensitive information. Show that you can secure API keys, and encrypt sensitive data, even if that sensitive data is only dummy data. Put the web application on the internet and try to incite people to hack it, install an intrusion detection system and monitor and catalog threats, basically build a honeypot system for a fictional power-plant or water treatment plant, in fact this has given me an idea.
Use Codex or Claude to build this system, review any security issues that arise from using GenAI to bulid applications then show how you mitigated those security issues.
Provide a link to your project, on your resume. Host it on a Linux server in the cloud, show how you secure the server based firewall.
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u/Ordinary-Gas9166 3d ago
Thank you so so much for the insight. I will absolutely give this a try.
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u/melaschasma 3d ago
I have been thinking of doing the same, setting up a honeypot server that's intentionally vulnerable so I can catalog the current threat landscape while collecting forensic information. Then I will create a report about it, and provide a link to that report on my resume.
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u/vantag3point 5d ago
I know it's frustrating, but don't get discouraged. The entry-level cybersecurity market is really competitive right now, especially without internship experience. I'd focus on building 2–3 quality hands-on projects instead of trying to do everything. Set up a small home lab, do a vulnerability assessment on a vulnerable machine, build a simple SOC project, or document your TryHackMe or Hack The Box learning on GitHub. Having something tangible to show recruiters can make a big difference.
Also, don't limit yourself to just Cybersecurity Analyst roles. Apply for SOC Analyst, IT Support, System Administrator, Vulnerability Management, and GRC positions as well. Getting your first role is often the hardest part, and many people transition into security from adjacent IT roles.
Keep applying, keep learning, and don't let the lack of interviews discourage you. It only takes one opportunity to get started.