How Western Governors University's competency-based approach transformed my career in cybersecurity
The Breaking Point
Let me rewind back to 2020 as I think about how I ended up at WGU. I remember my professor telling the class that we should be getting ready to take and pass the Security+ on the last lecture of his course. I also remember two weeks later when I scored 41% on a practice test for the Security+. I remember feeling completely unprepared to enter the cybersecurity field.
I was at my local state university in Augusta, Georgia, having changed majors quite a few times before settling on cybersecurity. Growing up in Augusta, I'd heard about cybersecurity constantly, so it felt like the right path. But that practice test score was a wake-up call: "Man, I can't even pass an entry-level cert and all I need are 5 more classes until I graduate. I’m not ready."
The remaining courses at my traditional brick and mortar college wouldn't cover security heavily, leaving me underprepared for the field I wanted to enter. This changed my perspective on traditional college since the cybersecurity field highly respects certifications, and I realized I needed a different approach. Then COVID hit, giving me the perfect opportunity to "drop out" and take a year off to figure out what I really wanted from life.
That's when I discovered Western Governors University.
Discovering WGU: When a YouTube Ad Changes Your Life
For about six months, I kept seeing WGU ads everywhere – especially on YouTube. It's funny how so many people hate ads, but that WGU ad truly changed my life. After hearing stories about how WGU helped people change their careers, I decided to take the plunge.
In July 2021, I started my first semester at Western Governors University while working full-time. I knew that getting hands-on experience in IT is crucial because many managers don't feel comfortable giving someone with only theoretical knowledge full control over their network systems.
I chose WGU's Cybersecurity and Information Assurance degree because it would provide comprehensive knowledge and qualifications. What really sold me was seeing that WGU would require me to earn certifications like Security+, Network+, and Pentest+ as part of the curriculum. This gave me confidence that I would build a much stronger foundation than what my traditional college could offer.
Going into the program, I felt slightly overwhelmed while also being incredibly determined to finish my Bachelor's degree. I was looking for both a degree and industry certifications, and after learning I could get both through one program, I couldn't say no.
The WGU Difference: Competency Over Credit Hours
By the time I started WGU, I had already passed Security+ and Network+, using those as my benchmark for how WGU's learning format would work. And I absolutely loved it.
The competency-based model allows those who already have a decent understanding of a topic to do what's needed and not sit and have to wait for the course to progress. This allows "acceleration" of the degree because if you have a strong understanding of Python, for example, you don't have to wait 16 weeks to finish a course you were already familiar with.
The self-paced aspect worked for me perfectly because it allowed me to not stress about deadlines or due dates. I could focus on learning and understanding what was being presented to me without having to rush because an assignment was due in a week. It allowed me to have time for my job and also allowed me to move from GA to the DMV area where I currently reside. I would have never been able to make this move if I was at a traditional college, and moving is the biggest reason I am where I am. My career has advanced so much just because I moved to a place with more cyber related jobs.
The Grind: My 60-Hour Work Week Strategy
I really enjoyed my 2021, because it was a grind. I subscribed to a "60 hour work week" where I would do my 40 hours at my job and another 20 into school. This helped me focus and get what I needed out of the way. I was studying, working & exercising all week and then would go get super wasted on the weekends to offset the grind I was on. It was great and I would definitely do it all over again.
WGU's flexibility allowed me to work various shifts – days, evenings, and nights (where I admittedly struggled to stay awake after 7 AM while taking customer calls). The beauty of the 60-hour strategy was its simplicity: complete my 40 work hours, then fit in those 20 study hours whenever possible, constantly learning something new.
This flexibility proved life-changing when I decided to move 8 hours away from home. WGU allowed me to maintain my education while navigating a complete life change – learning a new city, adjusting to a different environment, and eventually landing a better job. When potential employers saw the certifications on my resume, they were willing to give me a chance. I remain incredibly grateful that an institution like WGU exists.
Working with Mentors: Finding What Works
The mentor system at WGU proved interesting – it can be extremely valuable but also occasionally tedious, depending on your assigned mentor. During my program, I worked with two different mentors, each with distinct approaches.
My first mentor was perfect for my learning style because he gave me autonomy. We only scheduled calls when necessary, and I explained upfront that I wanted to accelerate my degree since I was technically a senior when transferring. He understood my goals and allowed me to progress through courses at my own pace, even permitting me to skip difficult courses and return to them later with fresh perspective. This flexibility proved invaluable when I was struggling with challenging material or when I accidentally enrolled in multiple writing-intensive courses simultaneously.
My second mentor wasn't problematic, but he had a habit of calling during my gym sessions, which became annoying. By that point, I only had three courses remaining, so frequent check-ins felt less necessary. Since I had strategically saved the most challenging courses for last, his calls asking about my progress typically resulted in me explaining, "Dude, this material is tough, and I'm currently at the gym, so let's talk later!"
The Challenging Courses: Saving the Best (Worst?) for Last
Speaking of those final courses, I deliberately saved the most difficult ones for the end: Pentest+, cloud security management, and the course requiring SSCP certification.
The Pentest+ stands out because offensive security wasn't my strongest area at the time. I initially skipped it because penetration testing requires comprehensive understanding across multiple domains, and I didn't possess the complete skill set back then. Honestly, even as a senior exploitation analyst today, I wouldn't claim to have mastered everything – I simply have much better technological understanding than I did during school.
The Pentest+ became my final course, making it my gateway to graduation. No pressure there! When I finally tackled it with more experience and knowledge, passing that certification meant my degree was officially complete.
The Results: 13 Months to Success
My entire WGU journey took 13 months, including a cross-country move from Georgia to Virginia and starting a new job. I entered with 105 college credits from my previous institution, with approximately 60 credits transferring successfully. My original timeline aimed for two years, but after experiencing the first semester's pace, I pushed for a more ambitious one-year goal. I barely missed that target, passing the Pentest+ in August 2022.
Several factors prevented burnout during this intensive period. The ability to skip challenging courses and return with fresh perspective proved crucial. Additionally, having completed most general education requirements at my previous college allowed me to focus primarily on cybersecurity-specific content.
One unexpected benefit was access to Udemy Enterprise, providing free access to their entire course catalog. This resource proved invaluable for supplementing my studies, though unfortunately, it's no longer available to alumni due to budget constraints.
The Transformation: From Practice Tests to Professional Success
The journey from scoring 41% on a Security+ practice test to becoming a senior exploitation analyst represents several years of intensive cybersecurity focus. However, I believe the most significant factor in my current success is the self-starter mentality that WGU's acceleration model demands. This mindset has become permanent, and I'm incredibly grateful for that transformation.
Years ago, I lacked a clear career direction and took each day as it came, hoping my efforts would eventually lead somewhere meaningful. Today, I have clear vision for my career trajectory and genuine enjoyment in my work. I view my current role as solving complex puzzles and finding unintended solutions. My focus has shifted from accumulating certifications for resume enhancement to gaining practical experience in offensive security and learning new techniques.
The most transferable skills from WGU aren't necessarily technical – they're the self-motivation and confidence that come from proving competency rather than just passing exams. When you can demonstrate actual knowledge instead of simply showing you passed some quizzes, it significantly reduces imposter syndrome.
Who Should Consider WGU?
WGU works exceptionally well for:
- Non-traditional students with several years of work experience
- Self-motivated individuals who don't require external deadlines for productivity
- People seeking to combine practical work experience with formal education and industry certifications
- Those who want to accelerate their learning without artificial institutional barriers
Who might struggle with WGU's format:
- Recent high school graduates who would benefit more from networking opportunities at traditional universities
- Students who require external motivation and structured deadlines to maintain progress
- Those attending prestigious institutions where networking connections significantly impact career advancement
My Advice for Prospective Students
If you're considering WGU, here are my three essential recommendations:
- Acknowledge the networking trade-off – You'll miss some relationship-building opportunities that come with traditional campus life
- Prepare for self-motivation requirements – Success depends entirely on your internal drive to maintain consistent progress
- Pursue internships immediately – Maximize your time by combining practical work experience with degree completion and certification achievement
My only regret involves not pushing harder to finish within that ambitious one-year timeline. That final month of delay cost me an additional semester's tuition.
The Bottom Line
Many people dismiss institutions like WGU because they've simplified an unnecessarily complex educational system. Unlike traditional colleges that create artificial barriers or attempt to "weed out" students, WGU removes obstacles that don't contribute to actual learning. Every interaction I had suggested that WGU staff genuinely wanted student success. They provide extensive resources to support career advancement, and the impact can be absolutely transformative.
If you've successfully accelerated through WGU like I did, you understand the dedication and effort required. The achievement represents something worth celebrating.
A Message to Those Considering the Jump
If you're reading this wondering whether this is your sign to attend WGU – take the leap and aim high.
I remember feeling burnt out from traditional college, frustrated that despite having senior-level credits, course scheduling would require four additional semesters to graduate.
I remember discovering that WGU focuses on demonstrating actual competence rather than simply passing quizzes and tests.
I remember earning certification after certification, which helped combat imposter syndrome by providing quantifiable proof of my knowledge.
I remember not having everything figured out, but gradually, step by step, I was able to graduate and then flourish with WGU's support.
That YouTube ad genuinely changed my life trajectory. Maybe this blog post can play a similar role in your journey.