Hoodie Success Story
How one guy added 20k/year to his income with our program
Hello, Hoodies!
Despite having helped literally hundreds of people start their careers, it can be TOUGH to get people to write a few words on how this program changed their lives.
And I get it! You’re so excited with your new career that you only want to look forward, not backward.
However, once in a while, someone decides to bless me with a written piece explaining their experience.
They always ask me, “What do you want it to say?” and my answer is always the same:
“Whatever you want!”
And then I publish it as is!
I decided to keep this gentleman anonymous, but we’ll just call him J.
So without further ado, here it is! My student’s writing in his own words (or at least what he gave to me — chatgpt—may have had a hand in—it)
Cybersecurity Career Journey
My journey into cybersecurity was not an easy one. I consider myself a dedicated learner and a strong researcher, and those traits carried me through each stage of my growth. I began my career as a Level 1 Help Desk technician, a role I held for just over a year. While the experience was valuable, I knew I wanted something more challenging, demanding, and impactful—along with the growth and compensation that comes with it.
As I began exploring cybersecurity, I wasn’t initially sure which area I wanted to focus on. I spent a great deal of time researching online, looking for guidance and inspiration. During this search, I came across the Twitter (now “X”) account of BowTiedCyber. His content was informative, practical, and clearly grounded in real-world experience. I followed him, enabled post notifications, and consistently kept up with the material he shared.
Early last year, I noticed that he was offering a significant discount—around 40%—on his cybersecurity bootcamp. At the time, I had just finished filing my taxes and had used those funds to pay down an existing loan. Even so, the opportunity felt too valuable to pass up. I visited BowTiedCyber’s website and scheduled a call to better understand the program and determine whether taking on another loan would truly be worth it.
That call was with Evan himself, and we spoke for about 30 minutes. During the conversation, I explained my background and financial situation. I also shared my résumé, which he reviewed and noted that I already had a strong technical foundation and was well-prepared for the program. He helped me explore a more feasible financing option, and that decision marked the beginning of a major turning point in my career.
Within hours, I was granted access to the learning management system, mentors, and tutors. Around March 3rd, 2025, I began studying with full intensity—diving into the coursework, labs, assessments, and practical exercises. Within two weeks, I was ready to sit for the Security+ exam. I already held a CCNA from a few years prior, but I still worked through the Network+ material as a refresher to ensure my fundamentals were solid.
The program was extremely structured and comprehensive. Each section included assessments, hands-on labs, detailed videos, and documentation. With all the resources centralized in one place and my motivation at an all-time high, I committed fully to the process. I passed the Security+ exam with strong results and moved on to hands-on projects, including vulnerability scanning, home lab environments, and multiple real-world simulations.
Throughout this journey, I received continuous mentorship from three experienced professionals who guided me at every step. I also had access to a dedicated AI assistant that helped track my progress, clarify concepts, and keep me focused whenever I felt stuck.
Once I felt confident in my skills, I began applying for roles—submitting over 400 applications. While I received numerous callbacks, I remained patient and selective, aiming for the right fit in terms of location, role type, requirements, and compensation. Weekly mentor check-ins provided ongoing guidance and feedback throughout this process.
When I identified the right opportunity, the support intensified. The team helped me prepare daily for interviews and even assisted in building a personalized AI interview agent to simulate a wide range of interview scenarios. They refined my résumé, ensured accuracy in every detail, and helped me create an e-portfolio that showcased my projects and capabilities beyond traditional work experience.
After three rounds of interviews, I emerged successful and received the job offer. Since then, everything has been going extremely well. Looking back, I have no regrets about the effort and commitment I put in from March through May. The journey was demanding, but it was absolutely worth it. I achieved my desired outcome—a role that aligns with my goals in terms of job type, location, and compensation.
We changed his life.
We’ve changd the lives of hundreds of others.
And we can change yours too.
You can apply for the BowTiedCyber Career System at bowtiedcyber.com
Much love,
Evan Lutz (BowTiedCyber)