Considering a Cybersecurity Career? You Should Know These Three Things
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, information security careers are some of the fastest growing occupations. In fact, the expected growth rate through 2026 is 28 percent, which is much faster than the average of 7 percent for all occupations.
One reason for all this growth is that the world continues to rely more and more on the internet to conduct business and engage in global commerce. This means companies are in desperate need of cybersecurity experts to help them protect their customers' sensitive data, such as their personal and financial information, from hackers.
If you are looking for a lucrative career with excellent growth potential and high demand, cybersecurity careers may be for you. Here are three things you should know if you are considering this exciting field.
Make Sure You Have Passion
Some people see the median earnings of a nearly $100,000 annual salary and decide, yes, this is the job for them! But choosing a career path based exclusively on money is never a wise thing to do. As the old adage says, do what you love, and the money will follow. Otherwise, you will just end up with a job that makes you unhappy. If you have a knack for computers, enjoy working independently as well as part of a team, and have a desire to be on the frontline against cyber attacks, then this is a position for you.
Consider Your Current Career
If you're not newly graduated from high school, you have likely already established a career in a different field. You can use this to your advantage. Almost every business sector needs cybersecurity experts, from the transportation industry to the retail industry. You can use previous work experience to your advantage by tailoring your information security analysis goals and education plan to align with one another. This way, when it comes time to find a job in the cybersecurity field, your background will make you even more valuable to companies in the same field.
Work Toward Certifications
Industry leaders want their information technology workforce to be at the top of their game. Continuing education is imperative if you want to stay current. This requires constantly learning and striving to obtain important industry-recognized certifications. Employers will be looking for applicants that have the skill set and certifications their businesses need. Don't expect to graduate from a program and never have to take another class or exam again; your education will be ongoing.
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