Tuesday, December 13, 2005

How to Get a Job in Information Security - Computerworld

Many, including myself, have been given the impression that information security is a hot field right now in CS. This article suggests the same, but that you have to know how to look for the jobs in the field. (Contrary to popular opinion among security experts, not all positions in information security are at the National Security Agency! But, if you're interested, see http://www.nsa.gov/careers/.)

She also talks about certifications vs. degrees. I completely agree with her assertion that if you are in the middle of your degree, but are considering certifications, finish your 4-year degree first. But, as I've mentioned to many students in my class, the time has been coming (for a while now) where a 4-year degree alone is not enough you set yourself above the rest in the job market. It is certainly a must, but to get the best jobs, it's not enough. You want to supplement your 4-year degree with experience through internship opportunities if at all possible. If you can't do that, then at least consider finding an independent study project to do with a professor that is doing research in a field you are interested. You do not want to graduate without having worked on some significant project! Finally, consider a certification! If you join the ACM or IEEE Computer Society (both of which I highly recommend for advanced CS students), they have courses for professional development that can prepare you for several certifications in the field that are free with your membership.

If you can afford it, and you have a little more stamina to study for a couple more years, I strongly consider an Master's degree, particularly for those students that want to land a career in fields beyond just basic IT fields.

Your best bet is to start scanning all of the career web sites a couple years before you graduate, and continue to do so on a regular basis. Include the career information at ACM and IEEE Computer Society. Figure out what employers are looking for in your field of interest.