With more and more of the economy going digital, the trend in jobs seems to be moving more and more to the world of information technology. Many are wondering which fields in infotech have the most potential for growth and are the best options for careers.
Considering the rising importance of data security and privacy, it is expected that roles in the CyberSecurity industry will experience faster than normal growth in the total number of positions available and the salaries of those positions. If you are interested in learning more about a career in the CyberSecurity industry, you are in the right place.
Types of Jobs in CyberSecurity
There are multiple roles in the cybersecurity industry you can fill. The best types for you will depend on your specific skill set. There are other requirements depending on the specific position you are trying to fill. Data security administrators often require master’s degrees to fill while It Security can often get by with only associates or a certificate of some type signifying completion of qualifying course work.
Salary and Job Growth Expectations
The median wages in this industry as a whole are higher than average. The exact amount more than the nations median wage will depend on the exact role that you occupy, although it is not uncommon to find starting salary’s that are over six figures in certain areas of the country.
Most positions can expect to earn at least fifty thousand dollars a year, plus benefits in the industry as a whole. The total number of positions is growing faster than the national average as well. That bodes well for future job security.
Requirements for a CyberSecurity Career
Most positions in this industry will require some type of education outside of high school. The requirements will vary from position to position. Some of the jobs will only require a two-year degree in the completion of specific certification courses. You will want to speak with the recruiter for the specific organization you are applying with to find out the exact requirements for that particular role. Check out some of the many online cybersecurity courses if you are interested.
Unlike many industries, it is possible to get hired fairly easily even if you do not meet the formal requirements as long as you have your own project work to show off. If you have a work portfolio with anything impressive to show off, do not forget to mention it to your recruiter.
Do Not Only Specialize in Security
If you want to have the most options again, let you as tempting as it may be to specialize in only one area you should avoid doing that. The more areas of expertise you can develop within the information technology industry as a whole, the more effective of a resource you will be for whatever company you decide to work for. As you expand your skillset over time, you will open up more and more doors of opportunity you did not even know existed.
Keep Your Skills Up To Date
The nature of technology itself is evolutionary. If you do not keep up and adapt to changes, you will be left behind. This is an industry where you will be not only expected but required to continue your education and stay up to date on the latest changes and trends in the industry. The more work you put into this, the easier your job will be.
Never Forget Networking
No, this is not talking about networking as it applies to computers but rather networking as it applies to people. The best cybersecurity expert in the world may still have a hard time finding a high-quality job if they have no professional network. Although it is easy to think that with a job in the information technology industry, you may finally be in a field where who you know does not matter.
As you go through your courses, try to develop long-lasting relationships with both your professors and your peers. You never know when one of those professional connections will pay off in a big way.
Additional Career Benefits of CyberSecurity
Perhaps the two most often cited benefits or reasons that people choose to stick in this career field is the job security and the flexibility of the work. Since there is such growth in this industry, the likelihood of losing your job in an economic downturn is less than in other fields in CyberSecurity. There is also a lot of remote or work from home positions. These jobs are the type of job you can do while you travel the world. That is not a benefit many other jobs can claim to share.
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