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I need opinions on Computer Security Cert.

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Mai72

Mai72

Lifer
I am considering going back to Community College to get my certificate in Computer Security. The problem is I have a bachelors degree in Special Education, so I am going into something completely different. Also, I am 38 years old. I have a passion for computers. I probably don't know as much as everyone here, but I can get by.

Can you guys take a look at the program and give me your honest opinion. Would I be able to find employment once the certificate was completed?

http://www.atlantic.edu/program/degrees/certificates/ComputerSecurityCert.htm

I can probably finish the program in a year and a half. That's if I go full time.

This article states that someone with just an Associates Degree can pull in good money.

http://www.latimes.com/business/tec...ity-jobs-salaries-dc-20130806,0,3259346.story

The salary data are in line with what other groups have reported, including job-search website Indeed. The Semper Secure survey showed that someone with less than a year of experience, no certifications and just an associate’s degree could pull in a salary of $91,000.
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There's likely nothing wrong with the program. $91k with an AS and 1year experience seems optimistic though. Bureau of Labor Statistics will have median salary info, etc.

Network, network, network. Suck up to all your professors.

As for the program itself; Security best practices are part of every sysadmin type job. A DBA needs to know how to secure a database. A linux admin needs to know how to properly harden a server. They all need to know enough up keep on top of networking vulnerabilities.

A degree is a degree, but long term you need to be able to do more than just security, or somebody with a broader skillset is going to drink your milkshake.

Good luck.
 
Soundmanred said:
$0
$0
$60k
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$60k total
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gotta divide each by 4 because he's not specialized/focusing.

$0
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$15k
$0
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$30k starting with an undergraduate degree in biology to be a lab monkey. It's unfortunate, but you'll be competing against pre-med people that decided medicine wasn't for them.
 
Korea74 said:
I am considering going back to Community College to get my certificate in Computer Security. The problem is I have a bachelors degree in Special Education, so I am going into something completely different. Also, I am 38 years old. I have a passion for computers. I probably don't know as much as everyone here, but I can get by.

Can you guys take a look at the program and give me your honest opinion. Would I be able to find employment once the certificate was completed?

http://www.atlantic.edu/program/degrees/certificates/ComputerSecurityCert.htm

I can probably finish the program in a year and a half. That's if I go full time.

This article states that someone with just an Associates Degree can pull in good money.

http://www.latimes.com/business/tec...ity-jobs-salaries-dc-20130806,0,3259346.story
Click to expand...

I don't know actually. Same advice as the other guy. Go to the local CC and ask an adviser what connections the program has with businesses. Are you in the LA area?
 
working on a aa from century right now

http://www.century.edu/futurestudents/programs/aa.aspx

considering the courses i am likely to take to finish it i will likely get the global studies certificate in addition

http://www.century.edu/futurestudents/programs/pnd.aspx?id=26

however for my electives i have been wondering what i should take. i am wondering if any of the following might get a job for me while i go to school.

a cad certificate is high on my list

http://www.century.edu/futurestudents/programs/pnd.aspx?id=23

http://www.century.edu/files/programs/programguides/Engineering CAD Technology.pdf

there is also renewable energy and horticulture

http://www.century.edu/futurestudents/programs/pnd.aspx?id=27

http://www.century.edu/files/programs/programguides/Horticulture - Landscape.pdf

http://www.century.edu/futurestudents/programs/pnd.aspx?id=56

http://www.century.edu/files/programs/programguides/Solar Energy.pdf

although working as a solar assessor seems like a lot going off just a certificate

also do you know of any good online degrees that would be available especially in my fields of study. am fine with going in to take tests and such but i do not want to go to class or lectures every day of the week.
 
OverVolt said:
I don't know actually. Same advice as the other guy. Go to the local CC and ask an adviser what connections the program has with businesses. Are you in the LA area?
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I'm actually in New Jersey. My area is awful for anything related to jobs. I live in South Jersey and 3 regions in my area were rated the worst (top 20) in USA for job searchers.
 
Korea74 said:
Can you guys take a look at the program and give me your honest opinion. Would I be able to find employment once the certificate was completed?

http://www.atlantic.edu/program/degrees/certificates/ComputerSecurityCert.htm

I can probably finish the program in a year and a half. That's if I go full time.

This article states that someone with just an Associates Degree can pull in good money.

http://www.latimes.com/business/tec...ity-jobs-salaries-dc-20130806,0,3259346.story
Click to expand...


I would advise caution.

Looking at the curriculum, it includes one security course, one forensics course, one programming course, and one O/S course. I don't know any organization that would pay $90K a year for someone with that background.

That said, if you enjoy it, I would think that they would be fun courses.

My experience is that security jobs are very localized and that no one wants to hire anyone without experience. (Anyone reporting a $90K salary with an associates degree likely is someone with military experience and an existing clearance.)

If you want to get a feel for what is going on in your area, I would suggest going to a local chapter of a professional society such as ISSA, ISCA, or similar...

Best of luck,
Uno
 
Does Devry or ITT offer that?

Honestly, you need to start from square one. The most valuable computer security courses will make the assumption you're in the industry and have a lot of in-depth knowledge of either web applications or desktop/server security.
 
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