The Truth About Cybersecurity Careers in 2026 (Jobs, Pay, Reality)

🔗 My Recommended IT Resources (affiliates help the channel at no extra cost)

🎓 Coursera Certificates
• Google IT Support Professional → https://links.jakehulberg.dev/coursera-google-it
• Google Cybersecurity Professional → https://links.jakehulberg.dev/coursera-cyber

🧪 CompTIA A+ (Jason Dion)
• Core 1 Course → https://links.jakehulberg.dev/jd-core1-course
• Core 1 Practice Tests → https://links.jakehulberg.dev/jd-core1-practice
• Core 2 Course → https://links.jakehulberg.dev/jd-core2-course
• Core 2 Practice Tests → https://links.jakehulberg.dev/jd-core2-practice

🌐 Network+ (Jason Dion)
• Full Course → https://links.jakehulberg.dev/jd-netplus-course
• Practice Tests → https://links.jakehulberg.dev/jd-netplus-practice

🔐 Security+ (Jason Dion)
• Full Course → https://links.jakehulberg.dev/jd-secplus-course
• Practice Tests → https://links.jakehulberg.dev/jd-secplus-practice

📡 CCNA & Networking
• David Bombal CCNA Course → https://links.jakehulberg.dev/bombal-ccna
• Jeremy’s IT Lab (free CCNA) → https://links.jakehulberg.dev/jeremys-it-lab

🧰 Hands-on Labs
• AZ-104 Microsoft Labs → https://links.jakehulberg.dev/az104-labs

📚 Books I Recommend (Amazon)
• CompTIA A+ (Mike Meyers) → https://amzn.to/401Qkdf
• Network+ All-in-One (Meyers) → https://amzn.to/44ylMky
• Security+ SY0-701 (Gibson) → https://amzn.to/4ko9GAq
• CCNA – 31 Days Before → https://amzn.to/44jKiY8

🎥 My Setup
• Mic → https://amzn.to/4lciFWC
• Camera → https://amzn.to/46vdsEX
• Lens → https://amzn.to/4lFJFhk
• Laptop → https://amzn.to/4nzqDuA

💬 Comment your thoughts below and I'll respond to every one!

📲 Work With Me / Sponsor a Video:
Email: jake@jakehulberg.dev
Website: https://www.jakehulberg.dev

0:00 – Intro
0:17 – Why Everyone Wants to Work in Cybersecurity
0:54 – What Cybersecurity Actually Looks Like on the Job
2:03 – Why Cybersecurity Is So Hyped (and So Competitive)
3:16 – The Reality of the Entry-Level Cyber Job Market
3:44 – Advice from a Tier 2 Cybersecurity Admin
4:31 – What Tier 1 Cybersecurity Roles Really Do
5:42 – Who Actually Secures the Environment (Hint: It’s Not Just Cyber)
7:01 – Who Should Go Into Cybersecurity (and Who Shouldn’t)
8:02 – My Recommended Roadmap to Get Into Cybersecurity
9:30 – The Better Career Order: Generalist First, Specialist Later
9:54 – Why Cybersecurity Is Still Worth It in 2026
10:12 – Outro

⚠️ FTC Disclaimer: Some links are affiliate links. I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.