Landing your first job in cybersecurity isn’t easy — the competition is fierce, the learning curve is steep, the challenges can be discouraging and the rejections can be disheartening.
But Prosper, a first-class cybersecurity graduate from Nigeria, proved that discipline, consistency, and faith can open doors. Today, he works as a cybersecurity engineer at Digiss in Lagos, and his story offers practical lessons for anyone trying to break into the field.
In this article, i interview Prosper, asking him questions aspiring cybersecurity professionals can learn from.
How did you come across your first cybersecurity opportunity, and what was the process like?
I got my first job through referral, they didn’t expect much and had me do an interview with everyone in the board present, I was stupidly confident and prepared, coupled with the fact that they weren’t cyber security inclined hence, it was easy for me to convince them. I knew I wasn’t meant to be there for a long time so I had my eyes open to other opportunities. That’s when I saw Digiss' Internship opportunity on LinkedIn. I got in by applying which surprisingly didn’t require a CV of any sort. The application process required your LinkedIn URL, which was submitted, I did the interviews and I got into the internship program that was how I got in and became exposed to a whole new world.
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What do you think are 3 important things that set you apart from the other candidates? 3 things that you believe had a huge influence on you getting the job. Preparation: I prepared for the interview questions, especially the first stage, practiced before going in and prayed. In the case where I was on par with the rest of the other candidates, what would set me apart would be my level of preparation. Knowledge: I had played with a lot of labs and done a lot of courses, I believe this helped speak about concepts beyond the "theoretical standpoint." Confidence: I went into the interview with the mindset of winning and crushing all the questions. That desire to deliver properly helped me flow well.
From when you started seriously learning cyber security, will you say you were consistent everyday? How long did it take you from that point to getting the job?
I started learning cyber security seriously around 2022. There were times when I was extremely consistent and periods of rest for me. But across the board, I was consistent, I had no choice.
I got my first "cyber security related job" 2 weeks after my clearance post-defense (after 2 years of consistent learning beyond school).
Let’s say you’re just starting out. If you were to wave a magic wand and instantly accomplish one goal, what goal would you set and why?
If I could wave a magic wand and instantly accomplish one goal, it would be to gain deep mastery across multiple domains of cybersecurity. Because cybersecurity is such a vast and evolving field, it often takes years to build the kind of practical experience that turns theory into intuition.
What certifications did you have prior to getting the job? How much did it cost?
CompTIA Sec+ for $220
CompTIA Net+ for $195
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals for Free
(Total) $415.
This is aside from the money I spent consistently on TryHackMe labs and some
other courses.
Do you believe aspiring cyber security professionals need to invest a good amount of money in order to get to where you are at?
YES I strongly believe so. The best investment is in yourself. There shouldn’t be a limit to the amount you should be willing to spend on your development.
You’ve obviously worked very hard to get here. Tell us how hard
Pulling off consistent all-nighters, blowing my savings on courses, having no social life or fun memories to reminisce about, etc.
I remember when my friend gave me access to his HTB account (God bless him) to get around with the defensive path that they newly launched at that time. He gave me a months ultimatum to complete it. The benches in class became my bed.
I remember I’ll study school work to maintain my CGPA, then switch to HTB midnight. The challenges were mentally painful, and the temporary fix was to take a nap and continue. I knew I couldn’t achieve that in the hostel with my noisy roommates, so I had to make the classes my bedspace. After lectures, I’ll get back to the hostel, eat, then do that from 8 pm to 4 am, get back to my room, and start knocking - my roommates hated me for that. Those years, I despised comfort, had no shame to get what I wanted, and had the right people around. I sometimes wish I could be that Prosper again.
Those reading will love your advice on how to get to where you are.
Be hungry, consistently build yourself, believe in yourself, network with the right people, and trust in God.
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Key Lessons from Prosper’s Journey
These are the lessons I learned from his story:
1. Preparation is everything.
He didn’t just show up to interviews , he studied and practiced. When skills were similar across candidates, preparation gave him the edge.
2. Build real, hands-on knowledge.
Prosper went beyond theory by spending hours on labs, platforms like TryHackMe and Hack The Box, and real-world problem-solving. Employers notice candidates who can do rather than just talk.
3. Consistency pays off.
It took Prosper about two years of disciplined learning to land his first cybersecurity role. He wasn’t perfect every day, but he never stopped moving forward.
4. Invest in yourself.
He spent hundreds of dollars on certifications and learning resources. He saw it not as an expense but as an investment , and it paid off.
5. Hard work beats comfort.
Prosper’s story is one of sacrifice , sleepless nights, studying on classroom benches, and pushing through exhaustion. His drive to succeed mattered more than convenience.
6. Faith and community matter.
He acknowledges prayer, mentorship, and having “the right people around” as vital to his growth. No one grows alone in cybersecurity — network wisely and give back when you can.
7. Mindset is the real differentiator.
Prosper approached challenges with hunger and belief. As he said: “Be hungry, consistently build yourself, believe in yourself, network with the right people, and trust in God.”
This story is part of Breaking In: Stories from Cybersecurity Professionals, a series where I interview people who’ve successfully landed roles in cybersecurity — uncovering their paths, struggles, and lessons so you can learn how to do it too.
If Prosper’s story inspired you, follow me here on Medium, and on https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerome-jamang for more real stories, insights, and advice from those who’ve broken into the field — because the next success story could be yours follow Prosper here https://www.linkedin.com/in/oritsegbemi-prosper-ab801021a