Degree Decisions

Arod95

Ok so I'm very confused right now. In the longer term I want to become either a Penetration Tester or Digital Forensics Technician or any other title that might be relevant to these positions. I am currently reaching a point in my education where I don't want to make the wrong turn and end up wasting time and money when I could have went the right direction in the beginning. Right now currently I'm finishing up my Associates in Network Engineering (Cyber Security Track) at my community college. I had originally had plan to go to UCF for computer science and along the way get certifications and job experience relevant to my end goal slowly building up. Later on I found the Cyber Operations degree from DSU on this site and thought this was a better option, but the scholarship I currently have only fully covers in-state public colleges (Florida) and would partially cover this degree. I would love to do both but I don't know if a full computer science degree would be necessary, and this would be a lot of time and money.

Reasons for why I want to do pen testing/forensics is because I like the idea of both defensive and offensive security. I do not have much knowledge about what either fully does or if there are other Titles/Positions that fit more into that category but these subjects do interest me. I have read up on a few internship experiences from the forums so I know a little of what I might be getting myself into, and I might change my mind on what I want to do after get some experience but currently I can't start that because Identity Theft issues but that is another story. In the end I'm just asking for any advice whether it goes along with my plans or something different you think I should do. I just need some extra opinions.

CyberfiSecurity

Since you mentioned about Dakota State University in your post. I assume you want to take a distance learning vs traditional route. Have you looking at Bachelor of Science in Computer Science via distance learning at Florida State University? It is a solid program that you can be in-state student, which could help you save lot of money. Sometimes being good in Cybersecurity does not require former education, but self taught. You can take that route to continue seeking for security certification. Since you have Security+, I would recommend for Certified Ethical Hacker and Certified Information Systems Security Professional, CCNA Security, CCNP security.

Arod95

Thanks for the advice I might just do that instead as far as a Bachelors in Cyber Security and stay with a computer science degree in-state. While doing that I'll just take certifications and get work experience, but I still have to go for Security+ I think you thought that was my MTA. Thanks again