Hey everyone,

I'm a 19-year-old from Pavia, Italy, with a high school diploma in industrial informatics (graduated with a perfect 100/100 score on the maturity exam). I also have a C1 level in English and a bunch of Cisco courses already under my belt, including:

• Operating Systems Basics

• Computer Hardware Basics

• Engaging Stakeholders for Success

• Introduction to Greenhouse Gas Accounting for IT

• Introduction to Modern AI

• Network Defense

• Ethical Hacker

• Endpoint Security

• Introduzione alla Cybersecurity

• IT Essentials

• CCNA: Introduction to Networks

• Partner: NDG Linux Unhatched

• Partner: CLA - Programming in C

I'm currently enrolled in a bachelor's program in Industrial Management Engineering (triennale), but I'm not passionate about it—it's more of a "safe" choice. Instead, I'm seriously considering dropping out to focus on a self-study plan in cybersecurity, which I think aligns better with my interests and background. The plan that i made just for fun and curiosity with chatgpt is about 9-12 months long (not that realistic i think) and includes:

• Phase 0: Set up LinkedIn, GitHub, TryHackMe; install tools like VirtualBox, Wireshark, Cisco Packet Tracer (2 days).

• Phase 1: CompTIA A+ (2 months) – hardware, OS basics, troubleshooting via Professor Messer/Udemy.

• Phase 2: CompTIA Network+ (1 month) – networking, TCP/IP, labs in Packet Tracer.

• Phase 3: CompTIA Security+ (2 months) – security fundamentals, TryHackMe PreSecurity path.

• Phase 4: Cisco CyberOps Associate (1-2 months) – log analysis, SIEM, SOC sims on TryHackMe/NetAcad.

• Phase 5: Build portfolio – complete 8-12 TryHackMe rooms, document on GitHub, update LinkedIn.

• Phase 6: AWS Cloud Practitioner + Solutions Architect (3-4 months) – cloud basics, AWS Free Tier/Udemy.

• Phase 7: Job hunt – English CV, mock interviews, 30-50 apps/month on LinkedIn/Glassdoor/Relocate.me.

My goal is entry-level cybersecurity roles like Junior SOC Analyst, Security Analyst, or Cloud Security Specialist. I live in Pavia but can easily commute to Milan (30-40 min train ride), where there's a bigger tech scene. Based on research (Glassdoor, etc.), I'm aiming for 30-35k € gross annual salary to start (which seems realistic for Milan with these certs and portfolio?).

Questions for the community:

1. Is this plan solid? What gaps should I fill (e.g., more Linux, scripting, or specific tools)?

2. What's the realistic success rate for landing an entry-level cyber job in Italy without a degree but with these certs/portfolio? 80-90% if I grind hard?

3. Worth dropping uni for this? Or should I try to balance both (part-time uni + certs)? Pros/cons from those who've done similar?

4. Any Italy-specific tips? Job sites, companies in Milan (e.g., IBM, Accenture), networking events, or remote opportunities abroad with my English level?

5. Salary expectations: Can I hit 35k € entry-level in Milan, or is that optimistic without experience?

Appreciate any advice, success stories, or warnings—trying to make a smart decision here. Thanks!

TL;DR (MADE WITH AI because i’m not that used to reddit and wanted to be safe): 19yo Italian with strong IT high school background and Cisco certs is unhappy in Industrial Engineering bachelor's, wants to drop out for 9-12 month self-study cybersecurity plan (CompTIA A+/Net+/Sec+, CyberOps, AWS certs, portfolio via TryHackMe/GitHub). Aiming for entry-level roles like Junior SOC Analyst in Milan (commutable from Pavia), targeting 30-35k € starting salary. Asking if plan is solid (gaps?), success odds without degree (80-90%?), worth quitting uni (or balance?), Italy-specific tips (jobs/companies/events/remote abroad), and realistic salary.