Stressing out about a career in Security

by Dizzy Lulz on 2011-09-16 19:17:51

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Well, as everybody know here, I am currently a student majoring in IT and focusing on security...

I am coming up on my last two terms then my internship. One of my classes now are all about Resume writing (and business/corporate related document writing in general).  I am freaking out.  I am not ready to grow up! hahaha

Anyway, I am looking to you guys for advice.  I do not know how many of you actually hold jobs that are IT related or even security related. I am looking for some assistance though.  Basically, what classes do you guys feel, out of the ones listed below, are the best ones to take.  Below are a list of all of my required classes and electives.  I choose 2 electives each term.  I will list what my teacher's advice was too.

Also, my other fear is not staying fresh with my knowledge.  For example, one class the teacher recommended was a Python class.  That would mean I would have C#, C++, and Python under my belt.  My fear is though, C# was the first language we learned.  I doubt that we will touch on C# again in the rest of my schooling.  I do not want to go into the job search being rusty in C# but saying that I know it.  What advice do you guys have in keeping fresh with a language, while learning others?  The obvious answer is read, learn more, continue teaching myself.  I am having a serious dilemma here though.  I love to read up on my hacking.  In my free time, when not dealing with my son, school, or social life (aka my girlfriend, I don't have friends after cleaning up), I like to catch up on the #academy/#school classes or read other hacking related stuff.  Do I put that stuff down and replace it with C# books (or C++ when I move on to Python?)  What about the security part though?  I can't be very good at the security if I am not learning as much as I can when it comes to hacking. Also, I like programming/coding a lot, but I would, in a sense, be giving up a hobby of mine.  I know sacrafices need to be made from time to time, however, I believe hobbies are essential in a person's life to keep their sanity.

Anyway, below are my future classes and my teacher's advice on what I should do.  Let me know what you guys think, what your advice is, how you guys stay fresh with knowledge while juggling the hacking spectrum.  Maybe I just won't have enough hours in the day?  I am stressing out.  Especially, because on top of all of this, I don't want to grow up!  Hence why I am 23 and still in school... ;) hahahaha

Thanks everybody...<3 you guyssss


[quote]
(Winter Term)

CP237
Project Management

MG202
Introduction to Business

GE219
Human Relations

CD204
Job Search Skills

Electives
======

CP232
Database Administration

CP112
E-Commerce

CP236
Server-Side Web Programming

CP231
Server Operating System

CP211
Advanced Office Applications

CP245
Telecommunications

CP246
Game Programming with Python

CP234
Internet Security


[B] Teacher's Advice: He told me I should take Internet Security (obviously) and Game Programming with Python.  He said that Python would be pretty basic for me but, because C# and C++ are both compiler based languages and Python is an interpreter based language, it'd be good to take.  Also, he said because of the easiness to learn and because of the strength/versatility, it is a common language among hackers.  Also, with the other electives offered, I don't know what else I could really take.  [/B]
[/quote]

[quote]
(Spring Term)

CP238
IT Capstone Project

LE105
Cyberlaw

AC119
Fundamentals of Accounting with QuickBooks

Electives
======

CP300
JAVA Programming

CP225
Web Server

CP224
UNIX/Linux Administration

WP203
Desktop Publishing

CP243
Advanced Website Design

CP247
Cisco Networking

CP248
Ethical Hacking and Defense

[B] Teacher's Advice:  The teacher said I should take Ethical Hacking and Defense and Cisco Networking.  Also, he said that UNIX/Linux Administration probably will not be offered because we're going to be doing a lot of Administration stuff during the Linux class we are taking now.[/B]
[/quote]


And after this term, we will be starting our internship.  I am actually in the process of trying to find a paid internship somewhere I would like to actually intern at rather than having the school find me an internship.

Again, thanks for the advice/help...

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2011-09-19 15:46:11 by Ted Dorosheff

First of all, where are you going to school? from the sound of your classes we might have gone to the same place.

Second of all, you really need to focus on what you want to do in the IT field. I would consider a class like Game programming with Python to take you down the game design path, while a class like Ethical Hacking and Defense would take you down the security route.

That being said, the two routes involve a lifetime of specialized work, and for the most part require full dedication. Depending on where you live, West coast, central or east coast, you should be aware that generally speaking, alot of game dev jobs are more abundant in the westcoast, especially California. On the other side of country, alot of security related jobs can be found where i am in the DC area.

Looking at your class list though, and from an IT professionals point of view, i would say the following classes are going to be a slight....alright complete waste of time:
Introduction to Business
Fundamentals of Accounting with QuickBooks
Advanced Office Applications (IT related yes, but come on this is gonna be such basic stuff, even though it says advanced)
Telecommunications (also IT related, but still very basic info you could glean from wikipedia anyway.)
Human Relations
E-Commerce

But in agreement with your teacher i would HIGHLY recommend ethical hacking and defense and cisco networking


Good luck, hey and lemme know where u went to school.
I went to ECPI in VA.
BS in computer science with a focus in Network Security

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2011-11-09 10:14:56 by Jennifer Vazquez

Thanks for sharing this post. This is off the topic of job search and more on the direction of true happiness which lies in freedom, not security. Take a moment and read this blog I just posted entitled: "365 Bogs To Finding Pinocchio A Home": Freedom vs Security: Where Will Life Have Taken You By Your 20 Year Reunion?
You can read this at: http://www.jennifervazquez.com It may help you out by stepping back a bit and getting perspective rather than letting the fear inside you take over... All the best to you. J.V.

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