Information Security
Common Career Paths
- Network security
- Data breaches or leak investigation
- Firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and intrusion prevention systems configuration
- Network and security infrastructure development
- Security architecture
- Security administration
- Security management
Employers
- For-profit and nonprofit organizations
- Product and service organizations
- Manufacturers
- Financial companies
- Insurance companies
- Print and electronic media outlets
- Software and technology companies
- Internet companies
- Consulting firms
- Government agencies
Strategies
- Seek programming experience through volunteer positions, internships and co-ops.
- Develop attention to detail, logical thinking and communication skills.
- Exhibit patience and creativity for designing programs.
- Learn to work effectively independently on teams and with end-users while maintaining deadlines.
- Supplement degree with courses in business, science or engineering.
- Maintain current knowledge of programming languages; vendor and professional certifications may increase job prospects.
- Consider earning the certifications by completing a series of exams and experiential requirements.
- Earn a master’s degree for upper level positions.
IT Auditing & Consulting
Common Career Paths
- Network security
- Network security infrastructure
- Information security and processing
- Security testing
- Penetration testing
- Compliance
- Standardization
Employers
- For-profit and nonprofit organizations
- Product and service organizations
- Manufacturers
- Financial companies
- Insurance companies
- Print and electronic media outlets
- Software and technology companies
- Internet companies
- Consulting firms
- Government agencies
Strategies
- Develop excellent interpersonal skills for effective communication with technical and non-technical colleagues and clients.
- Seek knowledge of industries, business areas or government agencies of interest. Complete a minor to gain specialized knowledge related to a field of interest.
- Strengthen logical thinking and problem solving skills.
- Maintain current knowledge of computer languages and technology.
- Gain programming experience and specialize for increased opportunities.
- Obtain business experience through internships or part-time employment.
- Supplement program with courses such as accounting, management, human resources, consulting to increase understanding of business theory.
- Earn a graduate degree in technology or business for advanced opportunities in analysis, project management and executive operations.
Threat Intelligence & Digital Forensics
Common Career Paths
- Network security
- Security plan development
- Cyber threat hunting
- Cyber-attack investigation
Employers
- For-profit and nonprofit organizations
- Product and service organizations
- Manufacturers
- Financial companies
- Insurance companies
- Print and electronic media outlets
- Software and technology companies
- Internet companies
- Consulting firms
- Government agencies
Strategies
- Develop excellent communication skills and an interest in helping customers solve problems.
- Exhibit patience and a commitment to customer satisfaction.
- Obtain industry recognized certifications
- Supplement curriculum with technical writing courses to develop skills.
- Explore labs and challenges that support opportunity to gain hands-on experience.
Software Development
Common Career Paths
- Strategy
- Design
- Testing
- Implementation
- Front-end software design
Employers
- For-profit and nonprofit organizations
- Product and service organizations
- Manufacturers
- Financial companies
- Insurance companies
- Print and electronic media outlets
- Software and technology companies
- Internet companies
- Consulting firms
- Government agencies
Strategies
- Start learning popular programming languages.
- Seek out internships to gain real world experience.
- Enroll in coursework related to programming and software development.
- Seek out certifications that are recognized by industry.
Getting Started and Advancing in Major
- Consider a dual major to help shape toward a particular career, since cybsecurity intersects with a number of other fields
- Examples: Biology for a career in bioinformatics; Political science/criminal justice for career in security and information policy; Fine arts for a career in animation; or, Business for some types of IT careers.
- Develop strong interpersonal, communication and teamwork skills. Patience and perseverance are essential for cybersecurity professionals.
- Complete informational interviews with current cyber security professionals to help establish career goals.
- Obtain an internship, co-op or part-time job in a relevant area to increase employability. Related experience is essential to employers hiring cyber security majors.
- Obtain vendor-specific or networking certifications to gain a competitive edge for some positions.
- Obtain an area of specialization through a master’s degree or by doing advanced coursework.
- Expect to work extended and/or irregular hours at times and to be “on call.”
- Prepare to learn new information on a regular basis through online discussions, classes, conferences, periodicals, and update your skills accordingly.
- It might be better to major in Business Administration and minor in cyber security if you want to work in the private sector because the cloud is transforming IT and creating hybrid roles across the enterprise.
Professional Associations
- American Medical Informatics Association
- Asist
- Association for Computing Machinery
- CompTIA
- Computing Research Association
- IEEE Computer Society
Related Resources
Occupational Outlook
- Computer and Information Research Scientists
- Computer Network Architects
- Computer Support Specialists
- Computer Systems Analysts
- Information Security Analysts