Decisions Decisions - UMUC BS (Cybersecurity) 6 Classes to Go
Motegi
Registered Users Posts: 1 ■□□□□□□□□□
Good evening! The more classes I knock out the more I think about entering the IT world. Figured I would turn to the internets to gather some opinions.
Long story short, USAF Vet, 6 years 8 months in a non-IT field (Emergency Management) and separated last year to be a stay at home dad/full time student. After this semester I will have 6 classes left after this semester - on track for finishing up the last 2 during the Summer 16. What will I do then? My wife is still active duty, so picking up and moving is out of the question. Just made it up to Alaska, so we will be up here until 2019 (more than likely).
Entry level positions seem a bit scarce up here, and the ones I've seen are gobbled up pretty quickly. I've seen the Department of Veterans Affairs advertising GS-9, 11, and 12 positions in the field, but I do not feel as if I would be qualified for such a job right out of the gate, even with knocking out some certifications. I'm leaning towards going back for a commission as a 33SX (Comm Officer), but my wife isn't jumping for joy at that thought.
So, what do I do? A degree and certifications are just the tip of the iceberg from what I understand - Experience is key. Do I struggle to find something locally for experience or go back to an environment I'm familiar with (while gaining experience)? So far I really enjoy all of the coursework. Completed CSIA 412 (Security Policy Analysis) with ease and had fun, plowing through CMIT 320 (Network Security) and holding onto that 3.77 GPA.
Long story short, USAF Vet, 6 years 8 months in a non-IT field (Emergency Management) and separated last year to be a stay at home dad/full time student. After this semester I will have 6 classes left after this semester - on track for finishing up the last 2 during the Summer 16. What will I do then? My wife is still active duty, so picking up and moving is out of the question. Just made it up to Alaska, so we will be up here until 2019 (more than likely).
Entry level positions seem a bit scarce up here, and the ones I've seen are gobbled up pretty quickly. I've seen the Department of Veterans Affairs advertising GS-9, 11, and 12 positions in the field, but I do not feel as if I would be qualified for such a job right out of the gate, even with knocking out some certifications. I'm leaning towards going back for a commission as a 33SX (Comm Officer), but my wife isn't jumping for joy at that thought.
So, what do I do? A degree and certifications are just the tip of the iceberg from what I understand - Experience is key. Do I struggle to find something locally for experience or go back to an environment I'm familiar with (while gaining experience)? So far I really enjoy all of the coursework. Completed CSIA 412 (Security Policy Analysis) with ease and had fun, plowing through CMIT 320 (Network Security) and holding onto that 3.77 GPA.