How Logan Launched a Cybersecurity Career with Fullstack Academy

Logan James was determined to break into cybersecurity and found his launchpad with the online Cybersecurity Bootcamp at Fullstack Academy. Logan shares how learning advanced cybersecurity techniques through real-world labs at Fullstack Academy has helped him prepare for in-demand industry certifications and secure his first IT role even before graduating from the cybersecurity bootcamp. He also offers tips for others aspiring to become cybersecurity professionals.

Why did you decide to launch a new cybersecurity career this year?

Prior to enrolling in the bootcamp, I was cleaning swimming pools for eight hours a day, which is exhausting during the summertime. I also used to do door-to-door sales. When I had an opportunity to quit my job and get out of town to visit family and my girlfriend, I had time to reflect on my priorities and the direction I wanted my life to take. My dad worked in IT my whole life, so this year, at 25 years old, I decided to enroll in a cybersecurity bootcamp to start a career that could sustain my lifestyle and help me support a family in the future. 

What was the bootcamp application process like? Did you need to know basic coding or cyber skills to get in?

I worked with a student advisor who helped me complete the application and apply for a personal loan. I didn't need to know how to code to be accepted into Fullstack Academy — I just needed to be willing to learn. I took this seriously and started studying before beginning the bootcamp, including getting an entry-level cybersecurity certification two months ahead of attending the cybersecurity bootcamp. This helped me feel prepared for what was to come. 

Do you recommend that other incoming bootcamp students do a short course before the full-length cybersecurity bootcamp? 

It depends on you and your learning style, but I recommend that everybody does individual study and research before committing to anything, especially a six-month long course like I did.

What is a typical day like in the online Fullstack Academy Cybersecurity Bootcamp? 

My normal day is very busy! I'm a little more than halfway through the bootcamp. The live classes are on Tuesdays and Thursdays and I work eight hours a day, five days a week, Monday through Friday. As soon as I get off work, I drive home and I'm in class right as it is getting started. Classes are three hours, and when in class, I'm present, paying attention, and following along. 

Outside of class, I put in as much time as I can into studying and my homework. Since starting as a help desk technician, it's been a little harder to manage my time. I'm doing so much learning in my new role that I don't want to burn out! I have a group chat with a few of my classmates, and we study together outside of class as often as possible. 

What are you learning in the cybersecurity bootcamp?

Python was the biggest language that we've learned so far. We're playing with Metasploit in Kali Linux, and it has been fun learning how hackers attack. My soft skills have also improved since starting this bootcamp. 

Is Fullstack Academy preparing you for any cybersecurity or networking certifications?

Yes, they’re preparing us for the CompTIA Security+ certification. Since I started my help desk job, my boss wants me to get the CompTIA A+ as well. I've been doing a lot of studying for A+ outside of Fullstack Academy, but I'm really excited to get the Security+, too. Eventually, I’ll complete the trifecta with the CompTIA Networking+ certification!

When will you take your certification exam? 

That depends on a couple of things. It might be after I graduate since I’ve been prioritizing the A+ certification and want to take it as soon as possible. I feel like I'm ready to take both of those exams tomorrow and pass, but I want to finish the bootcamp and then focus on studying for the CompTIA exams. It’s important to see how everything works together versus just conceptualizing it and choosing an answer from a multiple-choice question on the exam. 

What are your instructors at Fullstack Academy like? 

We've had a few instructors at Fullstack Academy and it's been fun getting to know them. I especially like the enthusiasm that our instructor Tony puts into teaching! He easily answers questions and makes sure that people understand what he's teaching. 

If you are struggling with an assignment or concept, how does the Fullstack Academy team support you?

We have a TA who will pop into the chat and ask questions about what we're going over in class and how it relates to the job. She gets us thinking and involved in learning, which I really like. I can also message any of the Fullstack Academy staff through Slack. It’s great to know that I can reach out to anyone and will have a response within a day.

Is the majority of your cohort also making career changes into cybersecurity?

Everybody in my class is coming from a different field and looking to work in cybersecurity. There are a few of us who are now working in tech-adjacent roles, but not fully in cybersecurity. One of my classmates was a former Green Beret, and after retiring from the Army, he started this bootcamp to get an entry-level tech job and just got one! 

What kinds of projects or labs have you worked on in the cybersecurity bootcamp?

Everything we do in class is a career simulation. The labs are done through virtual machines (VMs). They have been Windows labs, Python labs, and a Linux lab, which I had a lot of fun with! 

Right now we're acting as the Red Team, which involves pen testing and ethical hacking. It's been a lot of fun. It's a lot of information and I'm having a hard time retaining some of it, but I know that being exposed to it this early in my career is positive. Later, I'll see it again and remember doing it. 

How is Fullstack Academy preparing you for the tech job hunt? 

Fullstack Academy offers career success tools, like the write-ups that we get access to on Canvas, as well as career success coaches. It’s invaluable to get an outside perspective to increase my chances of landing a job. I met with my career success coach, Alisha, a few days before my interview for my current job. She helped me prepare and organize my thoughts. I’ve struggled with presenting myself in an interview, and Alisha helped me with my preparation and presentation. It was so helpful to have an expert on my side.

Do you have any tips for others on the tech job hunt right now? 

If you want to get into tech, dive in headfirst and start applying. That's what I did. Before classes started at the bootcamp, I started applying and interviewing for jobs. I was the first person in my class to get a job in tech who wasn't already working in tech. That first night in class after getting the job, I told everybody, and some of my classmates were inspired. They hadn't even thought that it was possible to start applying for jobs until they graduated. Several friends started landing jobs after that!

Now you’re a Help Desk Technician at Legend IT Consulting — Congrats! Were they interested in your bootcamp experience? 

They liked that I was interested in putting myself in situations to learn something new. My bootcamp experience is kind of adjacent to what I'm doing at work, but a lot of what I'm doing at work is basic entry-level stuff. My current position is providing me with the foundational knowledge and experience like troubleshooting technical issues, developing cyber awareness, and expanding my communication skills.

Are you already using what you learned at the bootcamp now on the job?

At work, I'm learning about hardware, how to troubleshoot software-related issues, malware, how different operating systems work, and the file systems within those. What I learned at the bootcamp is focused on how to defend those things. They go hand-in-hand, but what I'm learning in class feels more advanced than what I'm doing at work. It certainly helped me get the job. 

What is the next rung on the cybersecurity ladder for you?

This help desk job is my very first tech position and I still have a lot of learning to do before I move on to the next step. Eventually, I think it would be cool to become a cybersecurity analyst but I don't know exactly in what direction I want to go. Currently, I’m going with the flow and taking things one day at a time. 

At this point in your new cybersecurity career, was Fullstack Academy worth it for you? 

Yes! I've made so many great connections with people and I’m helping others, too! 

So far, is this the tech career that you expected?

I’m enjoying a better salary and work-life balance. I have more energy to do things outside of work, but I'm also so busy. I knew what to expect after seeing my dad work in IT for the last 25 years, so I knew a career in this industry would be a lot of work but that it’d be worth it. 

What is your advice for incoming cybersecurity students on making the most of their Fullstack Academy experience? 

Fully commit. Dive in. Do it. Apply to jobs. Be comfortable with being uncomfortable and putting yourself in situations where you might mess up. Don't be afraid to mess up because that's the only way you're going to learn. Take the opportunities that come your way and make the most of them. Even if it’s scary, or if I make a fool of myself, it's going to make me a better person.

Find out more and read Fullstack Academy reviews on Course Report. This article was produced by the Course Report team in partnership with Fullstack Academy.