Am I wasting my time with SSCP?

NuclearBeavis

I'd recommend going straight for the CISSP simply because it's somewhat of a standard in performing security audits, especially those involving NIST and CSC compliance. Right now, unlike fields such as electrical engineering or architecture, infosec is largely unregulated. But what you're seeing is more companies unwilling to hire someone without a CISSP when the job involves signing off on security audits.

I honestly believe there should be some theorem that states all emerging industries eventually move toward increasingly tighter regulation. Or maybe it should be taken as an axiom. In any case, regulation creeps up, so get the papers that the industry wants.

I do, however, understand beads's point of view. You don't want to be an idiot with a piece of paper. So make sure you actually learn while you study, and try to pack in all the experience you can.