Chapter 5: Getting Hands-On Experience with No Experience

Jon's previous chapter on certifications and education was important because it helped educate you on the field and industry, which, in turn, helps you deliver value as you become a cyber professional. One challenge these two don't help with is the common requirement of experience.

It's the chicken and the egg problem all over again. Employers want to give jobs to people with experience, but you can't get experience without a job. Let's crack the egg in this chapter and explore getting hands-on experience in the specific area you want in innovative ways.

Hands-on experience can be more important than having a certification, especially when you first enter this industry. This chapter will provide all the guidance you need to get that valuable hands-on-keyboard experience, without having to have a cyber job yet.

This chapter will start off by presenting several actionable ways to get experience...