Can anyone in the industry answer a few questions?
guy486
Registered Users Posts: 3 ■□□□□□□□□□
Hello, everyone! I'm currently attending college and am in the MIS (Management Information Systems) program at my school. This is program in the business department but it is the most computer-esque degree they have in the business school.
I was talking with a friend, and he recommended that I get my Security+ and CCNA and try to get some job experience before I graduate, likely an internship.
He also talked to be about a CEH certification and I was very interested in getting more information and possibly putting in the time, but I had a few questions.
I understand there are requirements and security clearances required for many of these positions. I've seen mostly government jobs with my initial search so this does not surprise me much.
I was just wondering if anyone could chime in and say whether they think a job/career based on these certifications would be worth my time considering my situation.
The main problem is that I have been civilly committed to a mental institution. I understand this bars me from government jobs because I cannot obtain a security clearance (at least secret and top secret from my research). However, I do know that other than in the context of a getting a security clearance, there is no way for a prospective employer to look into this information. Most of the jobs I found with my initial search required a security clearance, but how realistic is finding a job given this and a few more pieces of information?
Second thing, at one point I got into a fight with a family member and was slamming doors around the house. They called the police and wrote me an infraction domestic violence ticket (which doesn't show up on any criminal background check), and a disorderly conduct which I got dropped after completing a plea of abeyance. I have no convictions on my record; however, I understand that it may be possible to find some additional details regarding my history depending on how extensive the background check goes, mainly that I have been arrested for disorderly conduct and that I pled guilty, but the charged were ultimately dropped.
Thirdly, I have a business degree, not a math or engineering. My GPA after this semester will be around a 3.1-3.15. I have one four credit F on my transcript that I plan on making up, and know I will be at least a 3.3 by the time I graduate, have a very good chance at a 3.4 but my ultimate goal is to end up with a 3.5.
Can anyone chime in on my possible career prospects in IT and whether a CEH or similar certification would be worth the time and effort considering my background. If my situation doesn't look promising, can anyone recommend which certifications and career paths, preferably in IT, would be a good idea to follow? Preferably something that my past would not have too much of an effect on down the road?
Thank you all for your time, and I really appreciate the help!
I was talking with a friend, and he recommended that I get my Security+ and CCNA and try to get some job experience before I graduate, likely an internship.
He also talked to be about a CEH certification and I was very interested in getting more information and possibly putting in the time, but I had a few questions.
I understand there are requirements and security clearances required for many of these positions. I've seen mostly government jobs with my initial search so this does not surprise me much.
I was just wondering if anyone could chime in and say whether they think a job/career based on these certifications would be worth my time considering my situation.
The main problem is that I have been civilly committed to a mental institution. I understand this bars me from government jobs because I cannot obtain a security clearance (at least secret and top secret from my research). However, I do know that other than in the context of a getting a security clearance, there is no way for a prospective employer to look into this information. Most of the jobs I found with my initial search required a security clearance, but how realistic is finding a job given this and a few more pieces of information?
Second thing, at one point I got into a fight with a family member and was slamming doors around the house. They called the police and wrote me an infraction domestic violence ticket (which doesn't show up on any criminal background check), and a disorderly conduct which I got dropped after completing a plea of abeyance. I have no convictions on my record; however, I understand that it may be possible to find some additional details regarding my history depending on how extensive the background check goes, mainly that I have been arrested for disorderly conduct and that I pled guilty, but the charged were ultimately dropped.
Thirdly, I have a business degree, not a math or engineering. My GPA after this semester will be around a 3.1-3.15. I have one four credit F on my transcript that I plan on making up, and know I will be at least a 3.3 by the time I graduate, have a very good chance at a 3.4 but my ultimate goal is to end up with a 3.5.
Can anyone chime in on my possible career prospects in IT and whether a CEH or similar certification would be worth the time and effort considering my background. If my situation doesn't look promising, can anyone recommend which certifications and career paths, preferably in IT, would be a good idea to follow? Preferably something that my past would not have too much of an effect on down the road?
Thank you all for your time, and I really appreciate the help!
Comments
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bpenn
Member Posts: 499
Well, for one, what facet of IT interests you the most? Security? Networking? Systems? I would find a particular specialization that interests you and go from there. Depending on the area where you reside, having a security clearance may not be necessary so that may not be an issue.
One thing you need to make sure you do: when applying for a job, only list the information that is required. You don't have to mention that transgression with your family or the legal issues following it. But if they do inquire about anything, be honest and forthcoming. I have seen many employers hire people who had made mistakes with the law or were in an unfortunate situation, simply because they were honest."If your dreams dont scare you - they ain't big enough" - Life of Dillon -
guy486
Registered Users Posts: 3 ■□□□□□□□□□
Definitely only give the information required. Rephrasing my question, I would have to say that I am most interested in security. I am not opposed to other areas of IT, and very interested in them though. Particularly security, but also in other areas, it is still possible to find a job in that area without a security clearance? Preferably something that wouldn't require a clearance later down in the career either. I'll make sure to be honest about the legal stuff, but everything else is completely confidential and I consider that personal information. I'm more worried about security clearance requirements in the job market. Any input on that? And thanks!
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dou2ble
Member Posts: 160
Within DOD you'll have to have a clearance. But there are a lot of security jobs on the commercial side. I think for jr positions the CEH definitely helps. It goes over the basics all security professionals should be familiar with. Sec+ is a waste of time unless you're going DOD. CCNA can be useful in security even if you're not focusing on a networking career, but I'd do that after the CEH and CISSP.2015 Goals: Masters in Cyber Security
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Xavor
Member Posts: 161
The internship is more important than a cert when you're a fresh grad. Get working and that can help you decide on the next step.
Without knowing your background in IT, I'd recommend going for the CCNA (6 months of study or more) out of the three you listed. Knowing networking well translates into other areas. I have no idea how a CEH affects job options, but CCNA is marketable for new grads.
The mental health issue would most likely be a red flag for DoD. They specifically ask you about mental health issues as part of your background investigation. The SF-86 requires full disclosure, they interview a ton of people, and they have access to public records for investigations. They also give you polygraphs of varying degree. -
Mide
Member Posts: 61 ■■□□□□□□□□
Yeah having work experience means a lot so try to go for internships and PT University jobs if you can. Of all the certs sure, the CEH looks good but I agree with one other post that listed the CCNA as one that is useful in the future. A CCNA and no work experience would probably land you an entry networking job while a random security cert and no experience would probably not land you an entry security job (From what I've seen). Usually IT security folks have random levels of experience in the whole plethora of IT (systems, networking, programming, infrastructure, applications) before going into security.
From the postings I've seen all IT security postings requires varying levels of higher security clearance so that may be something to keep in mind. You can also just work for a regular company instead of going into the public sector.