I have recently become very interested in Pen Testing/Ethical Hacking.  So much so that I already have numerous books, slides, course studies, training boot camp videos....and so on.  The more I learn the more I want to do this. I have basically decided that this is what I want to do.  Period.  I have never really worked for a IT company nor do I have a Single Cert. or a job that is involved with security/IT. Where do I start? Specific Please! What is the very first step.  I have be to countless websites and I still feel like I dont know how to begin.  Any advice would be appr.

Thanks
Dak

I'm in the same boat as you are; I have some experience with things but nothing to show for it, i.e, no relevant work experience and no certs. I'm under the impression that the first certs one should pursue are the ones from CompTIA- A+ for hardware, Network+ for networking, Security+ for security, etc. You'll probably have to get a grunt job at first, maybe at Best Buy? Or a computer support and repair place. Or something. Like I said, I'm with you here; we have to figure out a way to build credibility so we can move on up