Is this the place to ask if I needed help starting a career, where do I start?
Am I allowed to ask that here? lol
I want to start in IT security but have no idea where to, I want to develop an career all around computers and software.
The problem you're going to face is that starting in IT security is not very realistic. Security is kind of like "end game" IT professional. You need to be really knowledgeable in basically every area in order to be effective. That means all the layers from hardware, operating system, programming, software, and network, and how it all fits together. Here's the plan I would recommend to anyone looking to get into cybersecurity:
1. Get a degree in some IT related field. This doesn't have to be a 4 year degree - look for technical schools offering 2 year programs in things like Networking or Programming. Either one is fine. If there isn't a tech school around you, go to a community college for 2 years, knock out your general eds, and then transfer into a school for information systems or computer science. Schools like WGU are also great because it's a merit based, fully online school, and they offer great cybersecurity programs. A degree program there would also be great for someone looking to change careers because they can work while going to school.
2. Get your A+ certification. Should be pretty easy after graduating from college.
3. Try to land some type of help desk or user support role. Every business has tech support people, it shouldn't be that hard to find a job here. You might be able to land one of these jobs while still in college.
4. Work there for a few years building knowledge, like 2-3 years. Never stop learning. Start looking to transfer into some of the more advanced domains. Try to find what you're passionate about and start focusing there. Maybe it's networking or databases or programming. You can't possibly plan to know which of these you'll like until you get exposure. Study Security+, Cisco CCNA, Microsoft MCSE, and any courses on Python you can get.
5. Once you have 2-3 years experience or so and the above certs, you're probably ready to get into Cybersecurity. Start looking for entry level analyst jobs. Yes, even though you have years experience, you will probably start at a entry level analyst. It's ok because these jobs pay extremely well.
6. After a few years of analyst level work you're probably ready for Incident Response or forensics work. By this time in your career you don't need anyone to tell you what you're passion is or where you want to go.
7. After advanced security work like the above, you might be ready to do penetration testing or security research. This is like 5-6 years down the line minimum. For most people more.
Obviously the timeline can be shorter or longer depending on your motivation and every persons situation is different.
