going back to college?

[strongsafety41]

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.

Wow! Good on you for continuing to research. Most don't take it to that level. Another thing that sucks is if you started that program and then tried to transfer, the receiving school more than likely would not recognize your degree/certificate (if they hold a different accreditation).

I've seen guys complete a degree program and try to get into grad school only to be shot down because they're degree isn't of the right accreditation.

 

[Eman]

Then I find out they're not accredited in the specific program I want

Hmm. What could it have been...

Chemistry?? Photography maybe?

I know...

Certification Exam | American Cheese Society

 

[DonQKong]

I seem to have reached the ultimate power level in Meso - complete transparency and invisibility. No one can see me, no one sees what I type. Look, it's my cock:

-----------------0
Oo

The second testicle is slightly smaller because of the 3D effect I was trying to make.

Hilarious . Life is so cool right now.

CUNTS !

Lol

DQ

 

[Spooby]

@grey
The college I'm probably going to is a 4 year school that gives a BS in information technology and information assurance/security.

Certs in
CNSS
NIST
Comp TIAq
SANS Institute

 

[Big_paul]

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 ?

Good luck. It seems like a growing field.

 

[VaginaShark]

One of the best things you'll ever do with your life. It's definitely harder returning to school as an actual adult with responsibilities vs. someone right out of high school but you'll learn quickly how to make time for everything.

As said before, in I.T. experience is the first thing employers look for. I don't think it's been mentioned yet but while you're in school take as many internships as you can get your hands on. Most schools will give you a list of companies looking for interns and they'll help you with everything from setting up your resume to helping you prepare for the interview. Some internships are paid and some aren't but either way the job experience you'll gain is the most valuable.

 

[Spooby]

I don't know if I can do an unpaid internship. I've got too many bills and no way to take care of them. Girlfriend goes to college full time too and is looking at getting a part-timer

 

[grey]

CNSS
NIST
Comp TIAq
SANS Institute

All potentially very valuable depending on the level and where in the industry you end up heading towards.

CNSS is not a granter of professional certification credentials though... NIST is also less of a cert org and more of a standards promulgator.

CompTIA are generally regarded as entry level stuff especially in security but their Sec+ is one of the most widely required certs to be able to start work. Extremely high ROI for Sec+

SANS is a bit of an odd cert org in that the main consumers of their certs (like GIAC their most popular cert) are government orgs...

I would highly recommend looking into the CISSP and/or CISA tracks with ISC2/ISACA. Both are very lucrative. CISA especially if you like working with financial security. I was offered a job as a Federal Bank auditor literally the day after my CISA designation went final.

That said, if you can pass the certs, the degree isn't needed but starting out as a new guy in the field that isn't likely outside of test dumps and memorization (not recommended).

If you look to go into Pen Testing... well sadly the certs in that field are all still in their infancy... Most PenTest orgs tend to grow their own dudes and simply select a cert that they require you go take.

 

[Spooby]

Shits gonna get even more rough than it already is next year if I do go in... can't think of a gameplan yet

 

[grey]

I don't know if I can do an unpaid internship.

No need to. Get that Sec+ test knocked out as soon as you feel able. At that point you can find good entry level work that pays.

Also security orgs tend to regard volunteers...suspiciously...

 

[Spooby]

@grey

To be honest I'm at a loss as to most of what you're telling me, I don't know what most of that stuff is at the moment haha

 

[Spooby]

I will look into sec+ as you said if I go into this next year

 

[grey]

I don't know what most of that stuff is at the moment haha

So much like driver's liscensing, bonding of plumbers, etc IT security is treated as a trade.

So these various organizations put out tests that are supposed to assure employers that you the IT security dude have been tested and meet the standards to do X or Y in the field.

There are different cert levels much the same way that a drivers license is a basic certification to drive passenger vehicles but not heavy commercial trucks. For that you need another cert, the Commercial Drivers License (CDL).

Same concept.

Sec+ says "this guy knows the very basics of IT security, he should be good for entry level work"

Certs like CISSP (Certified Information System Security Professional says "This guy has a very high level of familiarity with all sorts of IT sec shit and had 5 years of ceritfied experience behind him, throw money at him like a rapper does to a new stripper."

PM me if you like. Happy to discuss.

 

[VaginaShark]

I don't know if I can do an unpaid internship. I've got too many bills and no way to take care of them. Girlfriend goes to college full time too and is looking at getting a part-timer

I guess that wouldn't be much of an option then especially if your girls in school too.
Grey's idea sounds solid though. Get your foot in the door with a cert and get the experience from an entry level job.
But best of luck and congrats on trying to better yourself

 

[Spooby]

By the way, what do you mean by this?

[QUOTE="Also security orgs tend to regard volunteers...suspiciously...[/QUOTE]

 

[grey]

By the way, what do you mean by this?

Security orgs are protecting info for someone... people who are willing to work for free to access said info are automatically suspect for motive.

"Sir, we have an intern who is only too happy to help guard your secrets for free! Meet Intern Snowden/Manning/ChooseYourSpyName..."

 

[Spooby]

I see now. That makes sense

 

[ickyrica]

TIFWIW - I went to college with a game plan. I was going to be a preproduction specialist in the audio field. I had a blast, learned everything my brain could soak up and interned at a few places. As the months started to pile up after my graduation I quickly learned that what I wanted to do may not be as fulfilling as I had dreamed; money wasn't always there, very clicky industry (have to know someone to get in), wanted to murder the clientele.

So I stepped into a vertical market and haven't looked back. Good money, lots of different technologies and engineering principles, continuing education programs etc.

Sometimes just walking down a new road will lead you to prosperity. The move to better yourself is paramount. Keep your eyes open as you navigate through your path as your 'perfect situation' may be next to you and not in front.

P.s. can i borrow your avi? Just need like two minutes... at most....

 

[grey]

So I stepped into a vertical market and haven't looked back. Good money, lots of different technologies and engineering principles, continuing education programs etc.

The hardest part for folks is taking the first steps.

 

[ickyrica]

Agreed ^^^^

Almost like a leap of faith. A move like that is full of uncertainty but worth it if it's calculated correctly.

My hats off to the man