Long post, but please bear with me. I genuinely need guidance.
My background:
BTech in ECE, passed out in 2025
Currently doing an apprenticeship at BSNL (telecom PSU)
My daily work involves network troubleshooting, some configuration tasks, basic infra stuff
Apprenticeship ends in September 2026
Not interested in core electronics or VLSI at all
Zero programming knowledge (no Python, no scripting, nothing)
Why Cybersecurity?
I've been reading a lot and cybersecurity genuinely excites me. This field requires real human judgment, adversarial thinking, and constant adaptation. The growth and salaries also look promising even in India and abroad .i am also bit worried about ai is taking over some roles,
But I'm completely lost on where to begin and which path to take because apparently cybersecurity isn't just one thing and a path that ai couldn't take on.
My questions:
Which domain/path should I pick? I've heard of:
Network Security
SOC Analyst (Blue Team)
Penetration Testing / Ethical Hacking (Red Team)
Cloud Security
GRC (Governance, Risk & Compliance)
Threat Intelligence
...and more
Given my BSNL networking background, does that give me an edge anywhere? Which path has the best growth + job availability in India + is beginner friendly?
Do I NEED to learn programming? I keep hearing Python is important but I'm scared to start. Is there a path where I can get a job first and learn coding on the side?
Which certifications should I target first? I've heard names like:
CompTIA Security+
CEH
eJPT
Google Cybersecurity Certificate
CCNA (I have some networking exposure)
Which ones actually matter to Indian recruiters vs which are just money grabs?
Any specific YouTube channels or free resources to start from absolute zero?
What I have going for me:
Networking fundamentals from BSNL work (TCP/IP, troubleshooting, some CLI config)
6 months until apprenticeship ends — so I have evenings + weekends to study
Motivated and willing to grind
Please don't just say "Google it" — I've been down that rabbit hole and ended up more confused. Would really appreciate structured advice from people who've actually made this transition or work in the field.
Thanks in advance 🙏