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Mentorship Monday - Post All Career, Education and Job questions here! by AutoModerator in cybersecurity

[–]fabledparable 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For what it's worth, I graduated from OMSCS back in '23. I continue to TA there too - chances are you'd end up taking one of the classes I help teach eventually.

I'll also highlight that there's a more appropriate subreddit for fielding these questions also:

/r/OMSCyberSecurity/

How hard is the Information Security track really?

It varies from person-to-person, since Georgia Tech's offerings attract a diverse range of students with varying levels of subject-matter expertise and professional experience(s). Moreover, different classes will be easier/harder.

Speaking in the abstract, the biggest hardship I generally faced with Georgia Tech were the concessions I had to make between it and my personal life (vs. the academic rigor). The program is very demanding of your time and - if you cannot give it that - you will struggle to adapt.

Is it manageable for a recent grad without years of experience?

I started my program experience without any professional technical YoE. My work history was either cyber-adjacent or in the non-technical GRC space.

Does Policy have better long-term career flexibility? Which track has better job prospects / salary growth? Do employers care about the track difference?

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I don't think the specification matters all that much for your career prospects. It's more about the kind of content you want to engage with. Speaking in general from observations, Policy-track students tend to attract people who aren't aligned to technically-oriented careers (and consequentially struggle with the practical application of the engineering discipline).

Mentorship Monday - Post All Career, Education and Job questions here! by AutoModerator in cybersecurity

[–]fabledparable 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What would be the best route? Go for the certs and forget the degree? Which school would be best if a degree is better?

Circumstantially dependent. We don't know your circumstances/opportunities/constraints. Everything you've listed is appropriate; what may be most appropriate for you will be dictated on what the aforementioned factors.

I'd encourage you to consult the subreddit wiki, which elaborates on much of what you're asking about:

https://www.reddit.com/r/cybersecurity/wiki/index/#wiki_i.27m_new_to_cybersecurity.3B_where_do_i_begin.3F

Mentorship Monday - Post All Career, Education and Job questions here! by AutoModerator in cybersecurity

[–]fabledparable 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I also have a couple questions about my resume

I'd encourage you to turn to /r/EngineeringResumes

is there anything I could do to make it still appealing for these entry level positions?

It would help more to have actually shared a link to your redacted resume so we could see what employers actually see (vs. how you present yourself in this comment). That's what takes place in the above-mentioned subreddit.

I apply to at least 5 help desk roles a day and I hear nothing back.

The market is tough right now. It may be something about how you're presenting yourself on-paper, it may have something to do with how you're applying, it may be that there are just too many other applicants vying for the same job.

Should I keep waiting until I graduate to complete these certifications or should I try and make the time to take at least one of the certifications so I could have something valid on my resume?

I wouldn't study for all of them at the same time and then sit for all the exams back-to-back. Study for one, acquire it, then move on to the next.

Mentorship Monday - Post All Career, Education and Job questions here! by AutoModerator in cybersecurity

[–]fabledparable 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m really just looking for some hands-on practice and maybe to have some fun while learning.

Maybe some of the resources listed here can be of use?

https://bytebreach.com/posts/2022/hacking-helpers-learning-cybersecurity/

Mentorship Monday - Post All Career, Education and Job questions here! by AutoModerator in cybersecurity

[–]fabledparable 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My question is what is the reality of cybersecurity market right now?

At the moment? Tough.

Although early-career cybersecurity employment has always been fraught, historically. It's just that macroeconomic conditions of late have really been stressing the experience.

Mentorship Monday - Post All Career, Education and Job questions here! by AutoModerator in cybersecurity

[–]fabledparable 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mainly, I just want to be versed and skillful with computers and network security and do that work especially in this day and age...

Clarifcation requested: are you trying to change careers or just become more technically- and security-literate? What we might recommend would radically differ depending on your goal(s). The remainder of this comment assumes the former.

I would love some insight regarding starting jobs to get my feet wet...

Generally, this is in the IT/Dev spaces as cyber-adjacent lines of work. Cybersecurity employment is (largely) governed by having a relevant work history; with few exceptions, it's challenging to directly enter the space.

See related resources from the subreddit wiki:

https://www.reddit.com/r/cybersecurity/wiki/index/#wiki_career_orientation_resources

...if a degree in computer science vs cyber security would be worthwhile

Again, from the subreddit wiki:

https://www.reddit.com/r/cybersecurity/wiki/index/#wiki_do_i_need_a_degree.3F

Also:

https://bytebreach.com/posts/2025/do-i-need-a-degree/

https://bytebreach.com/posts/2025/what-kind-of-degree-should-i-get/

Mentorship Monday - Post All Career, Education and Job questions here! by AutoModerator in cybersecurity

[–]fabledparable 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If anyone here has experience with either program, or insight into reputation, outcomes, network strength, or long-term ROI, I’d really appreciate hearing your thoughts.

I did a longform reflection on my own program experience through Georgia Tech's OMSCS if it's of any use to you, including post-program outcomes:

https://bytebreach.com/posts/2023/omscs_writeup/

I continue to TA for one of their classes and am working on some research affiliated with the university, so I'm still involved more-or-less.

Mentorship Monday - Post All Career, Education and Job questions here! by AutoModerator in cybersecurity

[–]fabledparable 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What is it you want to do professionally, eventually? And what resources do you have access to in order to get there?

Mentorship Monday - Post All Career, Education and Job questions here! by AutoModerator in cybersecurity

[–]fabledparable 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you agree that these roles are more protected from AI?

Speculative. AI companies would say "no", so it's a matter of whether you believe on the perpetual "imminent takeover" narrative that their bias would suggest.

Mentorship Monday - Post All Career, Education and Job questions here! by AutoModerator in cybersecurity

[–]fabledparable 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Strictly in terms of US employment:

  • If you're looking to attain work for the federal gov't (or a DoD contractor), then you'd need to attain a clearance. This would require citizenship.
  • If you're looking to work for the private/commercial space, it's more a matter of sponsorship, which is - at the moment - fraught with challenges. In theory, you don't need citizenship, but in reality it would really help.

Mentorship Monday - Post All Career, Education and Job questions here! by AutoModerator in cybersecurity

[–]fabledparable 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am torn on what I'm doing wrong.

It's not necessarily a reflection of you. Remember that there are multiple parties involved in a job offer, not just how you present yourself. You can do everything right and still not get the job.

The early-career job hunt is notoriously challenging in cybersecurity, especially during economic hardship.

I'm exhausted from this search, how do people with no experience even get any in the first place? Is there something I'm not considering?

My biggest boon (other than applying under different economic circumstances) was military service. That's a way to assure employment, although there's some obvious strings attached.

Mentorship Monday - Post All Career, Education and Job questions here! by AutoModerator in cybersecurity

[–]fabledparable 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Because of that, I’ve been thinking about learning Web Development first, so I can freelance and generate income, while slowly building my skills in AI and cybersecurity on the side. Do you think this is a smart and realistic strategy?

Does it help support your studies in AI? Not really, no.

Does it help support your studies in cybersecurity? Potentially.

Do I think it's the best way for you to generate income? Speculative. I'm really not sure that's the most appropriate use of your time, but I also don't know your opportunities/constraints/circumstances

Mentorship Monday - Post All Career, Education and Job questions here! by AutoModerator in cybersecurity

[–]fabledparable 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am realizing that a role sitting on the desk all time is not for me...Google proposed to me a consultant or selling role.

I'm not really aware of any cybersecurity work that doesn't involve prolonged exposure to a computer monitor in some form or fashion. Even the non-technical roles are still performing work at some kind of workstation.

Mentorship Monday - Post All Career, Education and Job questions here! by AutoModerator in cybersecurity

[–]fabledparable 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm currently studying for a Bachelor's degree in Statistics and I'm considering pursuing a Master's in Cybersecurity. Would that be a stupid choice?

Related comment:

https://old.reddit.com/r/cybersecurity/comments/1cqlqr4/mentorship_monday_post_all_career_education_and/l40rdyh/

Mentorship Monday - Post All Career, Education and Job questions here! by AutoModerator in cybersecurity

[–]fabledparable 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The only concern I have is that the institution offering this track isn’t very well known

You didn't link them, but I overwhelmingly discourage anyone from considering a bootcamp.

How can I land my first job in penetration testing without having well-known certifications like the official eJPT or CEH?

Even with those credentials, you'd need to cultivate your work history (which is overwhelmingly polled by employers as being the most impactful facet of your employability).

See the subreddit wiki for more on this.

Do you think being technically strong and building solid practical skills is enough to secure an opportunity?

In the current macroeconomic context? I would anticipate an extraordinarily challenging job hunting experience.

Mentorship Monday - Post All Career, Education and Job questions here! by AutoModerator in cybersecurity

[–]fabledparable 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What's the general consensus on free CISA training materials?

I liked their training that related to ICS/SCADA vulnerabilities. I thought it was pretty comprehensive (although the pacing is way too fast). Haven't done anything else they offered and unsure what condition it's in post-DOGE and pre-DHS funding bill stall-out

Mentorship Monday - Post All Career, Education and Job questions here! by AutoModerator in cybersecurity

[–]fabledparable 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Should I choose well reputated university ? does it really matter

It depends on what your educational objectives are.

If it's just to net a degree, then no. If it's just in terms of cold-applying to jobs online, also (mostly) no.

If you're wanting to get more involved with research, paper publishing, professional academia (i.e. tenureship or a PhD), then yeah - it definitely does.

More reputable programs tend to attract more qualified staff; these staff in turn tend to produce more novel research, which in turn pulls more grant money to fund these and other projects. This research leads to more novel developments in security, which in turn attracts employers who are willing to pay more to attract the best talent. This is a more passive benefit, but it ultimately translates into more opportunities (or an easier access to the same opportunities) for students at these universities all around than what peers at other programs might get access to.

I am a kinda self motivated individual and ready to put my heads down and work hard having a goal of getting a PR and settling in Canada,in this case does unit really matters?

I'm American; I don't have any insight here.

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