going back to college?

[Spooby]

Okay guys... I've talked this over with my girl, I've decided to go to school for cyber security, a field I know nothing about, but I love computers, they can just be a major headache at times... I know there are several people on here who know quite a bit about this field, can anyone give me tips? Does anyone know about scholarships for it? You can PM me and I suppose I can be a little more personable about it since this post is public but my pm's aren't, of course. Could really use some helpful information. Thanks in advance

Maybe @Millard Baker @pumpingiron22 ?

 

[DonQKong]

What do you mean you can be a bit more personable on PMs, are you planning on sending out an endless stream of dick pics to those trapped by your net, mr phishing?

I wasn't born yesterday y'know?

 

[Spooby]

You know what... wrong place to ask. Nevermind

 

[Spooby]

And to explain that I was meaning talking about what school would be best to go to maybe, that is near me, among other things. Someone here might know something to steer me in the right direction.

 

[Eman]

Make sure the field you choose is something you know you can stick with. Cyber security degrees are extremely technical and you may struggle if it's not something that comes naturally to you.

I would suggest some continuing education classes at night to see if it's something you can stick with.

Education is an investment...the more difficult the field, the riskier the investment.

I can't tell you how many guys dropped out of my program just a few credits shy of the degree because they just couldn't keep up with things anymore or couldn't sustain the financial burden any longer.

Good luck.

 

[Spooby]

Thanks eman, what I've looked at that's around me is a couple colleges and a technical institute that has a 9 month course on it, I haven't called yet to ask what all it covers and such but it seems like it covers everything to get several certificates. I'm going to have to read a lot more about it and listen tosome webinars/read books before I even get into it. I want to know fundamentals before I go in so I'm not left scratching my head on the first day going wtf did I get myself into??

I have a friend who works for cisco which he does networking for and says he can explain white a bit too me at least about the basics of what he does and I can learn from him on that part more or less what I'll be taught in the beginning possibly? Either way I won't be starting for at least several months. I want to be ahead before I begin, ya know?

 

[Eman]

so I'm not left scratching my head on the first day going wtf did I get myself into??

I can almost guarantee this will happen no matter what. The first semester of my degree was more of a stress test than anything else. I was a few years older than most of the kids in my classes and it helped me... but those professors really liked to weed out the kids who didn't belong and were just there with parents money.

I'll reiterate, make sure you are honest with yourself in whether you can stick with it and be successful at it.

 

[Spooby]

I'll take your advice for sure. I'm thinking that reading some books and listening to some instruction and trying things out to get a feel for it all first would help me decide, does that seem reasonable?

 

[Eman]

I'll take your advice for sure. I'm thinking that reading some books and listening to some instruction and trying things out to get a feel for it all first would help me decide, does that seem reasonable?

Sure. Maybe you'll pick it right up... It's unlikely though lol. It's a technical field.

@Millard Baker might have a job for you when you're done it this DDoS stuff keeps up.

 

[Spooby]

Lmao that would actually be really cool... I haven't contributed much here, it's hard for me right now, you know my situation... if that were a possibility I'd do it as a part time job to help him, wouldn't have to pay me. That'd be my contribution lol. BUT, I've gotta get thisshit going.. Idk where to even begin. Got any books you would suggest I start reading?

 

[Drewcifer]

/\ I myself have recently went back to school, and that's one of the first things I noticed. First few weeks were the hardest but you definitely know quick if you belong. After awhile you'll hit a groove and things seem to come easier, again that's only if what your studying is right for you.

 

[Spooby]

We're gonna find out lol

 

[ickyrica]

Congrats on having the stones to make a positive move in life. I hope you chose wisely

Outside of quitting smoking and putting a ring on the little ladies finger, higher education is one of the best choices I have made.

 

[Docd187123]

If you do decide to do it, make sure you check into what sort of certificates are needed for the jobs you want and make doubly sure the school not only is accredited, but that the program the accredited school offers is accredited as well.

I was about to sign up to a school bc it was perfect. Inexpensive, good programs, near my house, flexible courses, etc. literally dream come true. Come to find out the program I wanted wasn't accredited so I would've done all the work and had an almost meaningless paper saying I completed the program.

 

[DonQKong]

And if you are a shallow, money hunting son of a, the cyber dudes in my organization rakes in $250k per year after a bit of rope pulling. Not too bad ...

 

[Spooby]

If you do decide to do it, make sure you check into what sort of certificates are needed for the jobs you want and make doubly sure the school not only is accredited, but that the program the accredited school offers is accredited as well.

I was about to sign up to a school bc it was perfect. Inexpensive, good programs, near my house, flexible courses, etc. literally dream come true. Come to find out the program I wanted wasn't accredited so I would've done all the work and had an almost meaningless paper saying I completed the program.

I'm actually wondering about this myself. The program is only 9 months at a technical institute which made me initially curious about that on top of it only being a couple grand for me sinceI'm a resident of the state so it's in-state tuition. I'm gonna get a little more sleep but when I get up later I'm gonna call them and ask to speak to the dean about everything

 

[Docd187123]

I'm actually wondering about this myself. The program is only 9 months at a technical institute which made me initially curious about that on top of it only being a couple grand for me sinceI'm a resident of the state so it's in-state tuition. I'm gonna get a little more sleep but when I get up later I'm gonna call them and ask to speak to the dean about everything

Look online. Many fields that require certs or educational backgrounds will have one or more accrediting bureaus. From these bureaus you can usually find a list of the different accredited programs.

 

[strongsafety41]

@Docd187123 offers solid advice. It's worthwhile to do your homework upfront instead of having a very expensive worthless lamb skin framed on your wall.

Also, if persuing a degree or certificate is what you really want then realize it isn't going to be easy. At times it's going to be tough and will require sacrifice. Once you committ, do just that, COMMITT! If you go into this half hearted then you're just wasting resources.

 

[Docd187123]

@Docd187123 offers solid advice. It's worthwhile to do your homework upfront instead of having a very expensive worthless lamb skin framed on your wall.

Also, if persuing a degree or certificate is what you really want then realize it isn't going to be easy. At times it's going to be tough and will require sacrifice. Once you committ, do just that, COMMITT! If you go into this half hearted then you're just wasting resources.

I almost made the mistake man. I was ready to sign up the very same day. The school was walking distance from my house, they roped with job placement afterwards, relatively inexpensive for the area I'm in (probably the highest taxed county in the country), etc etc. on paper it was a dream come true. Then I find out they're not accredited in the specific program I want. They have another accreditation but a lower one meaning I couldn't get the position I wanted after and would start off about $30K less a year.

 

[grey]

Many fields that require certs or educational backgrounds will have one or more accrediting bureaus.

This^

I work cybersecurity for "a major federal agency" as they used to say on game shows. I enjoy the hell out of the field and it earns quite well.

When we hire we could literally give 2 shits and a fuck about your degree or lack thereof. The certs and experience are 100% of what gets you into the interview (for non GS jobs, for GS work you want the sheepskin).


Once you are into the interview as a noob it is mainly personality driven. If they think you are intelligent you are good. 99% of the work is learned on the job anyway.

Once you have a few years of experience and the right certs the interviews often become a formality.

For many of these types of jobs you can be hired without *some* of the certs but will be required to have them by given dates because they are regulatory requirements. miss the date and you are fired no matter you education.