SANS Work Study Notifications

elorion

Anyone else wondering what is going on with the work study program? I'm used to getting the notification email over a month out...now they are under 14 days it seems. This leaves little time to arrange stuff. Very annoying.

iBrokeIT

They fill work study facilitators positions based on class size. My guess is that the class you are assigned to just reached enough enrollment to warrant a second facilitator so that's why you received short notification. Ask your co-facilitator what date they received their email

JoJoCal19

Nah I don't think that's it iBrokeIT. I've been speaking with a director there who was an event manager when I did Work Study last year about the same issue as I've not received any email about the Virginia Beach event coming up in 4 weeks. His first communication told me that department was in transition and they were running behind. Another member here only got 10 days notice. I spoke with him again last week and he said he was sending them a note and I should hear back by Friday. I've still not received anything from them. I just think they are either short staffed or busy changing the processes/systems and are running behind.

cyberguypr

Less than 2 weeks notice is ridiculous. Those of us depending on approval from the corporate overlords need way more time that that.

JoJoCal19

@cyberguypr Yea I agree. It's not an issue for me as I will be staying with family who already are aware I applied, and I'm paying myself since my global financial firm employer can't seem to find a few bucks for training for their employees . On top of that, I'm waiting for my manager to ask the security director if I can get paid to go to job related training and not burn vacation for it, especially since I'm paying for it myself. I said since they aren't paying for any training it's the least they could do. If I have to pay for the training and burn my vacation time I'll be answering the many emails or calls I get for jobs ASAP.

stephens316

Wow i know last year i had a month notice it worked out I am applied for Las Vegas but i need to save some money up to go I pay up front once i get my company pays me back with training money we have. I am looking forward to going to Las Vegas

stephens316

Well i found out about 11:30 pm that i have not been accepted to SANS Network 2016 I will try for CDI in DC as my next option. In away this is good for me I save money I can self study maybe. I wanted to plan a vacation trip to DC this spring and going before hand to training there would help in planning may even get a good deal on a hotel rate while i am there. I am not really bump because i have until June 30 2017 to find some more training.

cavijayan

SANS notified me about 2 months in notice. SANS Event is in APAC.

IaHawk

I always thought you could select what course you wanted to facilitate, is this not true?

I'm really only interested in GCIH at this point.

cyberguypr

You rank them in your order of preference. IIRC the application forces you to select more than one, someone correct me if I'm wrong. Work Study is such a great deal that most of us will always line up a 2nd, 3rd or even 4th option.

NetworkNewb

IaHawk wrote: »

I always thought you could select what course you wanted to facilitate, is this not true?

I'm really only interested in GCIH at this point.

When you submit your application, it asks you to rank in order which courses you would like to do most. You don't always get your top pick though. It depends on the size of the classes if they need someone in there.

TacoRocket

cavijayan wrote: »

SANS notified me about 2 months in notice. SANS Event is in APAC.

Met the director for that area and he's on point.

TacoRocket

If you get notified late they usually help with choice. If its something in advance you're kinda stuck.

JoJoCal19

IaHawk wrote: »

I always thought you could select what course you wanted to facilitate, is this not true?

I'm really only interested in GCIH at this point.

You have to select a certain number of courses and rank them from 1 to 10 (could be less depending on the event). They select you for what they want to.

iBrokeIT

Just received an email for work study in Vegas which is 4 full weeks away.

cyberguypr

Cool. Which class?

IaHawk

I just submitted my request to my boss for SEC504. If he approves, I will be able to take the class this fall...if not, I'll have to take my chances with Work Study and hopefully I get my 1st choice. We will see...

billyr2009

wow you guys are lucky you keep getting selected. I have been applying for facilitator on the west coast, but just haven't been able to get one. I felt I had more opportunities back east. Is there anything that helps in getting selected?

UnixGuy

billyr2009 wrote: »

wow you guys are lucky you keep getting selected. I have been applying for facilitator on the west coast, but just haven't been able to get one. I felt I had more opportunities back east. Is there anything that helps in getting selected?

....
I have the same problem. Would like any tips on getting selected

NetworkNewb

I was lucky to have a person I work with know one of the instructors, and they got them to give me a recommendation. Or I am assuming I wouldn't have got in this year for my first time. Hoping since I've been in one it they are more likely to choose me again.

tt0000

Which one did you Volunteer for? I did the Vegas one and nothing yet still. Have you gotten anything yet?
It has been years since I have done it but they use to give you a 1-2 month heads up. On the app it said 4-6 weeks for the event

Danielm7

I got selected for one last year but by the time they told me about it I was already past the time to get approval from my director, was bummed. Hoping it comes around again soon but my local city isn't showing up on the upcoming events yet.

cavijayan

No special tips.

Just apply for as many as possible within your comfortable travel distance.

I have applied for 6 and got rejected for 1. Accepted for 1.

TacoRocket

Also apply for one of the smaller conferences in the area. The bigger ones they want people who have done it before because its hectic.

iBrokeIT

I'll be doing FOR408 in Vegas. Contract has been signed, approved and paid.

I imagine that those have actually been to a SANS conference, have a GIAC certification, and have previously did work study get priority over those that have not. I would also expect that there would be high competition for work study positions for popular classes like GCIH and GPEN with the lead course authors.

LWB250

I realize this thread is a little dated, but thought I would add my experience to it.

I was selected for work study at SANS Orlando this year with nothing more than 2-3 years in the industry and a Security+ certification. To say I was stunned to be selected was an understatement. I did one of the 400 level courses, which might have had something to do with it as I'm sure most SANS work study applicants are looking to serve in higher level courses, meaning the newbies get the low level/easy stuff.

I have applied for two work study positions next year in the area and hope that my prior experience in Orlando will help with getting selected. We'll see.