It's Official!

the_Grinch

I am a college graduate! Got the last grade (C- in Calc) I suck at math and was very happy to get this grade! My GPA shouldn't take too big of a hit from it, should be a 3.3 I believe. I also had an interview today for a job with my sisters company. Small IT department and they are rolling out Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 which I would help deploy, train, and I suspect program for. But they are also looking for someone who will grow and move up within the company. Currently they outsource all their IT Support so I wouldn't have to do that. They were interested in my security education as currently they aren't really secure. Initial interview was a screening with the Vice President of the company and the next one (if I get a call) will be with the head of IT. I think I might get it as the VP said two things: he could run a company with recent college grads and he felt I was a perfect fit for what they wanted. Only bad thing he said was that there were a lot of people who applied and had more experience then I do. We shall see...

rfult001

Congrats! Now on to grad school! Good luck with the job.

the_Grinch

Yup graduate school is on the list just have to figure out what I want to go for. I found various programs I am interested in and pretty sure I won't have any issues getting into them. As of now I am looking at: Masters in Competitive Intelligence, Masters in Emergency Management and Business Continuity (if I do this program it would be very easy to get a MS in Information Systems as well), or one of the various computing security programs I have looked at. I want to continue in the security realm just gotta decide which direction to go with it....decisions decisions, but first need a job!

networker050184

Congrats!

kriscamaro68

Congrats on the degree. Hopefully you will get that job sounds like a good way to get your sec. career going.

ThePistonDoctor

Just FYI if you are looking to get your grad you might want to try to get a solid job first...many companies will pay for your grad school if you make a commitment to stay with them for X years.

the_Grinch

That's the plan! Company I interviewed for will pay for as many credits as you want to take and they pay upfront, gotta have a B in the course or you'll have to pay them back.

dynamik

That's a huge accomplishment. Congratulations!

vCole

Awesome accomplishment! GL with the job & your future endeavors.

Slowhand

Congrats on the biggest "cert" of all, and good luck with both the job-hunt and your grad-work plans.

ThePistonDoctor

BTW what's your degree in?

the_Grinch

I have a BS in Computing and Security Technology concentration in Computing Security.

http://www.drexel.edu/catalog/degree/ct.htm <---List of courses you would take for the program.

mikej412

the_Grinch wrote:

I am a college graduate!

Congratulations!

the_Grinch wrote:

Masters in Emergency Management and Business Continuity (if I do this program it would be very easy to get a MS in Information Systems as well), or one of the various computing security programs I have looked at.

Oooooooooooooooooooh! I vote for the first one (with the MS IS as well) -- while you're getting some real industry experience (and trying to get some Security Street Cred). Then go back for one of the computing security programs.

the_Grinch wrote:

Company I interviewed for will pay for as many credits as you want to take and they pay upfront, gotta have a B in the course or you'll have to pay them back.

Ooooooooooooooooooooh! I don't know who they are, but I already like them!! They value education AND they MOTIVATE you to do well in the classes.

the_Grinch wrote:

http://www.drexel.edu/catalog/degree/ct.htm <---List of courses you would take for the program.

That course list is a good example why most people here will suggest going for the education first over just certification.

skrpune

Congratulations!!!!

the_Grinch

Thanks for all the congrats and advice guys. At this time I will be aiming at the 30m target and try to find a job. So on with the hunt for jobs and certs!

jamesp1983

the_Grinch wrote:

I have a BS in Computing and Security Technology concentration in Computing Security.

http://www.drexel.edu/catalog/degree/ct.htm <---List of courses you would take for the program.

Drexel? Where are you from? Congratulations!!

the_Grinch

Southern Jersey....about 30 minutes outside of the city and an hour from AC

JDMurray

Congratulations!

After you have a few years working in BGP and RM you should go for the CISSP cert.

the_Grinch

Yeah I am hoping to go for the CISSP after a couple of years. Definitely going to go for the SSCP as soon as I can. I have a friend who is a CISSP who could endorse me and since it only requires a year of security experience I might go for the Associate of SSCP.

JDMurray

the_Grinch wrote:

I have a friend who is a CISSP who could endorse me and since it only requires a year of security experience I might go for the Associate of SSCP.

If you already have a year of InfoSec experience then go for the full SSCP. Your CISSP friend can certainly endorse you. I would then afterward look at getting CISSP Associate of the (ISC)2.

the_Grinch

I don't have any fulltime experience so I'll have to go for the Associate.....

JDMurray

If you will be getting a CISSP CBK-related job immediately, take a year to study for the SSCP and CISSP and then get the full SSCP. You'll might be ready to take the CISSP exam by then too. I really don't think that having just the SSCP Associate on your resume will buy you much employment-wise.

Kasor

minimum 4 years experience and do not rush to CISSP. It is the experience that make you different than other. Security is not for everybody. CISSP class always filled up at the training center, but they forgot that you can't be CISSP unless you submit your endorsement by company.

NetAdmin2436

Congrats on your degree, that's awesome.

JDMurray

Kasor wrote:

but they forgot that you can't be CISSP unless you submit your endorsement by company.

Not true. It's not a company-oriented process. Any certified member of the (ISC)2 can endorse anyone else for certification. And you don't need the 4-5 years of experience to be a CISSP Associate of the (ISC)2.

drakhan2002

the_Grinch wrote:

Yup graduate school is on the list just have to figure out what I want to go for.

Do it! And get your CISSP if you want to stay in security. The CISSP opened so many doors for me...and it still does. It *is* the golden ticket.

the_Grinch wrote:

I found various programs I am interested in and pretty sure I won't have any issues getting into them. As of now I am looking at: Masters in Competitive Intelligence, Masters in Emergency Management and Business Continuity (if I do this program it would be very easy to get a MS in Information Systems as well), or one of the various computing security programs I have looked at.

My Masters is in Information Asssurance, but the the Emergency Management and Business Continuity would be kick butt! I work in the Vulnerability Management realm (think anti-hacker...I work at financial institution), but our BCM (Business Contintuity Management) team is always looking for qualified people. And they make a very health living. Imagine if a financial institution (like your bank...or the stock market...etc.) suffered a disaster?! Wow...that's why you hire BCM folks. A Masters in that realm would probably provide you employment for life.

SamCarter

Congrats, the_Grinch! I am working on the same degree only with the Computing Technology concentration. I should be done in June. I also suck at math and hope to get a C- in 183. Glad to hear from someone that made it to the finish line.

the_Grinch

There is a light at the end of that tunnel man! Take 183 with Professor June Gordon if you can, she is the best!

famosbrown

Congratulations!!! There are so many opportunities for you now. Many corporations and companies are recruiting highly talented college graduates right out of school. Below are a couple of federal government opportunites.

http://www.dfas.mil/careers/college/graduates.html - for both undergrads and grads

http://www.defenselink.mil/cio-nii/sites/iasp/ - just found out about this program. This program recruits college graduates and send them to Grad school full-time while they get paid a regular salray as if they were working and not studying. Only one year commitment after completion of your grad education.


Good luck as you begin your successful career.