How I Landed a Cyber Job With Just One Cert with Nathan Tran
Wed Dec 10 2025
Welcome back to The Cyber Revolution Podcast!This week on The Cyber Revolution Podcast, Adam Hewitt, CEO of Cyber Revolution, sits down with Nathan, a former pharmacy graduate who made the bold decision to pivot his entire career into cybersecurity - despite having zero IT background.Nathan shares his inspiring journey from completing a pharmacy degree to realising less than a year into his career that it wasn't his calling. He opens up about the courage it took to walk away from a "safe" career path, how he discovered his passion for cybersecurity, and the practical steps he took to land his first IT role after completing just his CompTIA A+ certification.If you're stuck in a career that doesn't fulfill you, or you're debating whether certifications can really compete with a traditional university degree, Nathan's story will give you the clarity and confidence you need to take action.Key Takeaways:✅ You don't need a tech background to break into cybersecurity—Nathan had none and landed a role after just one certification✅ Alternative pathways are now recognized by major employers—certifications are becoming just as valuable (if not more) than traditional degrees✅ The cyber industry rewards continuous learners—if you love learning and being challenged, this field will fulfill you professionally AND personally✅ Small business cybersecurity is a growing niche—there's huge opportunity to make an impact protecting vulnerable organizations✅ Your current unhappiness is data—use it to make informed decisions about your future rather than ignoring itConnect with Adam:Website: https://cyberrevolution.com.auFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cyberrevolutionausSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@cyberrevolutionausFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cybrevolution_aus/Chapters:00:00 - Introduction and Nathan's Background02:15 - Pharmacy Degree Journey and Realisation05:30 - Making the Career Change Decision08:45 - Why Cybersecurity Over Pharmacy11:20 - Landing First Role with A+ Only14:30 - Certifications vs University Degrees Discussion17:45 - Day-to-Day Work and Learning Experience20:30 - Future Career Goals and Ambitions23:15 - Advice for Career Switchers26:00 - Networking Tips and Final Thoughts
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Welcome back to The Cyber Revolution Podcast!This week on The Cyber Revolution Podcast, Adam Hewitt, CEO of Cyber Revolution, sits down with Nathan, a former pharmacy graduate who made the bold decision to pivot his entire career into cybersecurity - despite having zero IT background.Nathan shares his inspiring journey from completing a pharmacy degree to realising less than a year into his career that it wasn't his calling. He opens up about the courage it took to walk away from a "safe" career path, how he discovered his passion for cybersecurity, and the practical steps he took to land his first IT role after completing just his CompTIA A+ certification.If you're stuck in a career that doesn't fulfill you, or you're debating whether certifications can really compete with a traditional university degree, Nathan's story will give you the clarity and confidence you need to take action.Key Takeaways:✅ You don't need a tech background to break into cybersecurity—Nathan had none and landed a role after just one certification✅ Alternative pathways are now recognized by major employers—certifications are becoming just as valuable (if not more) than traditional degrees✅ The cyber industry rewards continuous learners—if you love learning and being challenged, this field will fulfill you professionally AND personally✅ Small business cybersecurity is a growing niche—there's huge opportunity to make an impact protecting vulnerable organizations✅ Your current unhappiness is data—use it to make informed decisions about your future rather than ignoring itConnect with Adam:Website: https://cyberrevolution.com.auFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cyberrevolutionausSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@cyberrevolutionausFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cybrevolution_aus/Chapters:00:00 - Introduction and Nathan's Background02:15 - Pharmacy Degree Journey and Realisation05:30 - Making the Career Change Decision08:45 - Why Cybersecurity Over Pharmacy11:20 - Landing First Role with A+ Only14:30 - Certifications vs University Degrees Discussion17:45 - Day-to-Day Work and Learning Experience20:30 - Future Career Goals and Ambitions23:15 - Advice for Career Switchers26:00 - Networking Tips and Final Thoughts