Dress code

SteveLavoie

Sorry if it is a bit off-topic.. what is the dress code for a SANS course ? Will I look like out of place wearing jeans and tshirt, or I have to plan for more business clothe.

cyberguypr

In my 7 courses I've seen everything from shorts and polo shirt to suits. If you are doing Work Study then there are guidelines.

Danielm7

Yeah as a paid regular student, wear whatever is comfortable. As cyberguypr mentioned, I've done work study a few times and jeans were allowed but clean/no holes and a polo shirt typically. It's interesting to see the different types of dress for the different types of courses. My last SANS event they had a legal focused class, they were far more well dressed than the more technical ones. 

SteveLavoie

Nice, I was planning my luggage, and I realized I wont have enough dress shirt and dress pants for the week (without doing laundry). So I will pack a few jeans, tshirt and a hoodie, it is SEC 560, so I am practicing to be a hacker lol. 

cyberguypr

SEC 560? then completely overdressed 

SteveLavoie

In that kind of event, I dont want to be the loosy looking guy. 

E Double U

SANS = nerd central

Dress accordingly :-)

SteveLavoie

Nice.. my Star Wars Tshirt won't look out of place. 

bigdogz

Just make sure it's not ironed, but clean. No ConFunk.

LonerVamp

Personally, my two SANS courses have been pretty casual, but I will first say that I dress how I want to dress, especially when it's for my comfort in learning and I'm spending $$$$ to be there. That has meant t-shirt and shorts.

Part of this is also me wanting to pack lighter and not bring multiple jeans/pants. I find packing for 7 days to be an awkward level.

That said, you could wear a suit and not necessarily stand out all that much. You'd definitely not stand out either way in between.

SteveLavoie

Thank you! for all your answer!

bigdogz

Some conference rooms may be colder than others. You may want to dress in layers. YMMV.

Danielm7

bigdogz said:

Some conference rooms may be colder than others. You may want to dress in layers. YMMV.

Very true! They've always told me they'd rather keep it colder and keep people awake, they tend to space out if it's too warm. 

SteveLavoie

Good.. time to get my hackerzz hoodie lol

TechGromit

bigdogz said:

Some conference rooms may be colder than others. You may want to dress in layers. YMMV.

I don't, I'm paying $6,000+ for the course (or my company is), I'm getting everything I can out of it. I dress so I AM uncomfortable,(temperature wise, I leave my wool underwear at home) bring 5 hours energy drinks, I avoid sweets and carbs during the breaks to prevent the sugar crash, I may even stand on occasion in the back of or on the side of the room if I feel my attention is slipping.  I'm getting my moneys worth out of the course. 

Also don't be afraid to ask questions. I gotten snickers for other students when they thought I asked a stupid question, I don't care, I NEED to understand. 
 

SteveLavoie

Nice,  I am getting really excited.. I am leaving on Sundays, and here it is only place where I can really chat with some people who have shared that experience.

bigdogz

TechGromit said:

bigdogz said:

Some conference rooms may be colder than others. You may want to dress in layers. YMMV.

I don't, I'm paying $6,000+ for the course (or my company is), I'm getting everything I can out of it. I dress so I AM uncomfortable,(temperature wise, I leave my wool underwear at home) bring 5 hours energy drinks, I avoid sweets and carbs during the breaks to prevent the sugar crash, I may even stand on occasion in the back of or on the side of the room if I feel my attention is slipping.  I'm getting my moneys worth out of the course. 

Also don't be afraid to ask questions. I gotten snickers for other students when they thought I asked a stupid question, I don't care, I NEED to understand. 
 

I think it may be ironic that those students laugh. I have not seen it. Everyone has different experiences and may know some of the material and clueless on the other portions. That is how you understand the topic. I can google topics forever but it is nice to ask how the concepts are applied or where that knowledge is gained.

TechGromit

bigdogz said:

TechGromit said:

I gotten snickers for other students when they thought I asked a stupid question, I don't care, I NEED to understand. 
 

I think it may be ironic that those students laugh. I have not seen it. Everyone has different experiences and may know some of the material and clueless on the other portions. That is how you understand the topic. I can google topics forever but it is nice to ask how the concepts are applied or where that knowledge is gained.

This was during my SANS 610 course, some of the students were already preforming malware analyses as part of there jobs and were far more advanced than I was. I struggled during the course and on the exam.

LonerVamp

The snickers would certainly tell me which professionals to avoid in the future. There should be no stupid questions. There can be some judgement, but keep it to yourself.

For me, I don't always get a chance for SANS courses, so I try to aim to get full value out of them learning-wise, and as such, I try to go above where I am currently with my knowledge. I'm 1 for 2 so far there, and I'm planning on missing again.

mjs1104

One year at SANS in Las Vegas I saw a guy in my 508 class that was wearing his pants rolled up to just below his knees and wasn't wearing and shoes or socks. He looked like a Hobbit in the Lord of the Rings. I didn't see him wear any shoes or socks the entire week, and all I could think of was how disgusting the floors at Caesar's Palace were and all of the pure savagery that has been spilled all over the carpet.

SteveLavoie

Well, my training went well.. and the dress code was quite relaxed .. but not at the point of mjs1104.. I didnt saw anybody bare foot lol.  I had a great week and I will surely repeat the experience with another class (which one.. is still a big question for me..)

LordQarlyn

There are dress codes for exams? Well, I was thinking about wearing a tux to my next exam...

UnixGuy

Can’t go wrong with this  

Neil86

oh jeez those "boots" are atrocious

thomas_

LordQarlyn said:

There are dress codes for exams? Well, I was thinking about wearing a tux to my next exam...

Just make sure it's a speedo tux.  You wouldn't want them to think you're hiding answers in your pockets.

LordQarlyn

thomas_ said:

LordQarlyn said:

There are dress codes for exams? Well, I was thinking about wearing a tux to my next exam...

Just make sure it's a speedo tux.  You wouldn't want them to think you're hiding answers in your pockets.

LMAO! I googled that and it was exactly what I was expecting. I've been taking my exams in Dubai at the Society of Engineers building, trying to show up there in a speedo tux would no doubt get me arrested for indecent exposure 😂

On the other hand, the SoE building is opulent, wearing a tux there would almost not be out of place.

cyberguypr

I'm at a SANS event this week. Here's the tally:
- 1 guy in suit
- 3 guys polo and jeans
- 2 guys long sleeve and jeans
- 2 guys cargo shorts, sandals, t-shirt
- 2 ladies business-like attire
- Facilitator t-shirt and jeans

TechGromit

cyberguypr said:

I'm at a SANS event this week. Here's the tally:

That's it? Small class, even smaller conference. All the classes I attended at SANS had at least 20 students, but I did see smaller class rooms.  To be fair, I was back in my class before the session started, so I don't know how many students where in the smaller classes.