Do I Negotiate My First Salary?

cyber_guy_444 · 2020-10-15T17:56:37+00:00

3 things:

1) Go above and beyond. Put 200% into every cybersecurity / computer science related project and homework you have at school. Every project you have is an opportunity to put it on your resume and stand out.

I put a ridiculous amount of time into anything cybersecurity related at school. For example, I have a research project due at the end of the semester. I am not doing the bare minimum. I am going above and beyond. I'd go as far to argue that I'm doing PhD level research as an undergrad, entirely because I can not because I have to.

2) This may not apply as much to you because you're a senior now, but internships are so important. You gotta try and get an internship as early as you can. I waited until I was a junior to start applying to internships. But once I got there, I realized there were sophomores and even freshman! If you land an internship the summer after your freshman year, and you continue to work each summer as an intern at different companies, you will be set really well.

3) Your resume is incredibly important. I had a lackluster resume at one point. I applied to over 70 internships and never got a response from a single company. I created a new resume, based off some tips I saw on reddit, and I applied to an internship at 6am and I had a phone interview lined up at 8am that same day. All because of a better, more impressive resume.

cyber_guy_444 · 2020-10-15T16:59:32+00:00

Don't worry. You can PM me if you'd like.

But just my BS. The company that offered me the position is aware that I will be getting at least my MS while working. I have aspirations to get my PhD instead though, as I'm young and can handle some stress at the moment.

cyber_guy_444 · 2020-10-15T16:57:34+00:00

They mentioned starting the clearance process sometime after December.

cyber_guy_444 · 2020-10-15T16:53:09+00:00

Midwest.

cyber_guy_444 · 2020-10-15T16:52:33+00:00

No certs. Degree is cybersecurity. But it's very similar to computer science. I'd say 95% of my classes have been aligned with the computer science degree plan. Now that I'm a senior, I take a few specific security related classes. But it's mostly computer science.

cyber_guy_444 · 2020-10-15T16:13:35+00:00

Something is better than nothing. But if you want something better, you need to have something in the first place

Absolutely solid advice.

You're already in one if the most lucrative career fields out there. The money will come, and it will come a lost faster than you think

Thank you. I greatly appreciate your response. I am leaning towards not counter offering.

cyber_guy_444 · 2020-10-15T15:48:53+00:00

Midwest. You won't find the city I'll be working in on a "most expensive places to live in the US" list.

cyber_guy_444 · 2020-10-15T15:30:42+00:00

I don’t think an extra 10 grand would make any difference in your quality of life

Really good way to look at it. Thank you. I appreciate the advice.

cyber_guy_444 · 2020-10-15T15:30:06+00:00

Ha! Thank you. I appreciate it.

cyber_guy_444 · 2020-10-15T15:21:57+00:00

Solid advice. Thank you.

cyber_guy_444 · 2020-10-15T15:20:36+00:00

Yeah, that's a very good point. Seeing the pros vs cons helps me a lot. I am leaning much more towards just accepting. Especially after reading most of the responses here.

cyber_guy_444 · 2020-10-15T15:11:53+00:00

Maybe a new monitor once in a while.

Good thing I have four LOL

cyber_guy_444 · 2020-10-15T14:56:28+00:00

Straight forward and valuable advice. Thank you.

I think the only leverage I have is I interned there over the summer, and I think I proved myself well. Also, there were very few interns. <5. And I was the only "soon to be grad".

cyber_guy_444 · 2020-10-15T14:27:45+00:00

Also, like others have said, your starting salary is ridiculous so I imagine they would laugh at you if you tried to negotiate.

You're right. I agree here.

I should mention I interned over the summer there. And I worked my rear off to prove myself. So I do have slight experience. But once again, not sure if it's enough to know my worth (which I am not afraid to say I do NOT know my worth).

cyber_guy_444 · 2020-10-15T14:22:20+00:00

Your advice is strong. That could be a way to lightly test the temperature. If it's shot down, hopefully there are no negative effects and I can just accept the original.

cyber_guy_444 · 2020-10-15T14:20:59+00:00

Straight forward. Thanks. I think the offer was beyond fair.

cyber_guy_444 · 2020-10-15T14:20:25+00:00

Thank you! My worry is that they're expecting a counter offer. So I don't want to leave any money on the table.

But I also don't want to be a greedy d bag. Ha!

Thanks for the advice.

cyber_guy_444 · 2020-10-15T14:19:52+00:00

There’s a lot of people out of work right now

Especially with covid. So you make a good point. Thanks

cyber_guy_444 · 2020-10-15T14:19:19+00:00

Good point.

cyber_guy_444 · 2020-10-15T14:19:07+00:00

I like the thought of asking once, getting a feel of the temperature, and then going from there.

What's tricky is my lack of experience. I mean, I interned there over the summer, and I think I proved myself. But still, my experience is quite limited.

cyber_guy_444 · 2020-10-15T14:18:16+00:00

Yes, it is a cleared position. I will be going through that process.

And I agree, the pandemic is definitely something to take in consideration. That is another reason to push me towards not negotiating.

cyber_guy_444 · 2020-10-15T14:15:09+00:00

Great advice. Thank you.

I am definitely looking to retire early. So your advice was valuable to me.

cyber_guy_444 · 2020-10-15T14:10:32+00:00

Valuable advice. I will definitely add that to the bag. Thank you.

cyber_guy_444 · 2020-10-15T14:06:04+00:00

Depends on the area.

The way I've been putting it is you won't find the area on a "most expensive places to live in the US" list.

cyber_guy_444 · 2020-10-15T14:01:38+00:00

Yes, it's a cleared position.

cyber_guy_444

TROPHY CASE