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Anxst · 05-23-2011, 06:50 PM

Hallo friends.

I graduated from technical college on the 14th of this month. I worked hard for two years, taking 70 credits and finishing with a 3.98 GPA and an Associate of Sciences: Information Technology - Network Security Specialist degree.

I'm 33, and had been wanting to go to school for computers since I was 18. Life didn't let that happen, and when I got laid off in 2009, the government gave me the option to go to school. I jumped at the chance.

Now, I'm attempting to find a job in IT Security. I'm finding it incredibly tough to find positions even tangentially related to security, but IT Security is really my passion. In ten years time, I'd like to have my GIAC gold certification and my CISSP (along with a few other certs, CEH, CPT, etc.) and be working as a Penetration Tester. I know I can't start there, but I feel like all my research and my schooling has taught me only enough to know I know almost nothing.

I've talked my family into being willing to relocate. My wife is working, and we have enough saved up for a few months as long as we're frugal...but relocation costs could eat into that quickly.

Where shall I look for work? How do I look for work out of state? What tips do you have for making myself a candidate when every security position (hell, every IT position) wants years of experience?

In the past, every position I've ever had was through personal networking. I'm pushing hard, and have a few minor leads, but I know very few people in this field myself. Also, my circle of friends has shrunk over the years, and all the contacts I made in school are now competition for similar jobs.

Basically, any tips on making this work? Was I fool for going to a 2 year college for Computer Security?

05-23-2011, 06:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
Anxst Condensing fact from the vapor of nuance. Location: Madison, WI	Career Advice? Hallo friends. I graduated from technical college on the 14th of this month. I worked hard for two years, taking 70 credits and finishing with a 3.98 GPA and an Associate of Sciences: Information Technology - Network Security Specialist degree. I'm 33, and had been wanting to go to school for computers since I was 18. Life didn't let that happen, and when I got laid off in 2009, the government gave me the option to go to school. I jumped at the chance. Now, I'm attempting to find a job in IT Security. I'm finding it incredibly tough to find positions even tangentially related to security, but IT Security is really my passion. In ten years time, I'd like to have my GIAC gold certification and my CISSP (along with a few other certs, CEH, CPT, etc.) and be working as a Penetration Tester. I know I can't start there, but I feel like all my research and my schooling has taught me only enough to know I know almost nothing. I've talked my family into being willing to relocate. My wife is working, and we have enough saved up for a few months as long as we're frugal...but relocation costs could eat into that quickly. Where shall I look for work? How do I look for work out of state? What tips do you have for making myself a candidate when every security position (hell, every IT position) wants years of experience? In the past, every position I've ever had was through personal networking. I'm pushing hard, and have a few minor leads, but I know very few people in this field myself. Also, my circle of friends has shrunk over the years, and all the contacts I made in school are now competition for similar jobs. Basically, any tips on making this work? Was I fool for going to a 2 year college for Computer Security? __________________ Don't mind me. I'm just releasing the insanity pressure from my headvalves.