Can I Get a Cybersecurity Job While in College?

Cybersecurity professionals are some of the most in-demand workers in the job market. The job outlook for positions in the field of cybersecurity is growing much faster than the national average.

It is a very broad field that can be studied at many levels including certification, associate, bachelor's, master's degrees, and more. These programs of study can often be completed online as well.

The types of jobs offered in this field are extremely varied.

Potential roles include:

• information security analyst
• security systems administrator
• security engineer
• cybersecurity manager

If you are studying cybersecurity in college, you may be eager to enter the field while still a student, but are there jobs in cybersecurity available to college students? What do you need to get a job in cybersecurity? Read on to find out,

Cybersecurity Jobs While in College

Requirements for positions in cybersecurity vary as widely as the number of positions themselves. Depending on the company, applicants may or may not be required to have a relevant degree.

However, the vast majority of those working in the field of cybersecurity have a degree. Over 20% of them have at least an associate degree, and about 56% of them have a cybersecurity bachelor's degree.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the majority of people working as information security analysts have at least a bachelor's degree as well as relevant work experience, and this is most likely what employers will be looking for.

Because of this, getting a job in cybersecurity while still in college is unlikely. However, there are some things that can be pursued while still in college that can improve your chances of landing a good entry-level cybersecurity job.

IT Jobs for Students

A great attribute when applying for jobs after graduation is experience in the field. This is particularly important in cybersecurity, as employers are interested in individuals who hold degrees as well as applicants with prior experience.

Although securing a full-time job in cybersecurity while in college is not really an option, there are IT jobs available to students that provide valuable experience.

For example, students may be able to become employed in an on-campus IT job with their university. There are many university jobs available to students, including ones in the IT department.

This would allow for information technology experience that could go on a resume and help lead to better job opportunities after graduating. Students should work with their university to find potential jobs to apply for.

Internships

Often, internships are an integral part of completing an education and gaining experience. While they typically do not pay, an internship in cybersecurity is another great way to build out a resume for future employment opportunities.

There is an enormous amount of internships available within the field of cybersecurity including at places such as the Department of Homeland Security, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and many more including individual companies.

The sheer number of internships available to college students can be overwhelming, but this is another area that university offices and professors can help. Students should definitely inquire with their university to explore internship opportunities.

Entry-Level Cybersecurity Jobs

Once you've put in the work to prepare yourself for the cybersecurity job market, what kind of positions can you expect to find? Read on to learn more about several entry-level cybersecurity jobs.

Security Analyst

A security analyst is a common job within the field of cybersecurity. Described most broadly, security analysts help to keep an organization's networks and data safe.

The responsibilities of a security analyst include things like network monitoring, investigating and responding to potential security breaches, and helping to maintain the overall security of a network.

The job of security analyst is one of the most common entry-level positions in cybersecurity.

Security Engineer

The position of security engineer is another common role in cybersecurity. Similarly to analysts, they work to maintain the safety of an organization's network, but their responsibilities differ somewhat.

Often security engineers and analysts will work alongside one another, but engineers are focused on building up the security of a network such as firewalls and detection systems.

Penetration Tester

Penetration testers are members of the cybersecurity team who work to simulate attacks on the network of an organization. Similar to security analysts, they work to identify security weaknesses.

The role involves using various tools and techniques to attempt to compromise the network to test for vulnerabilities and find potential areas of improvement.

As an entry-level employee, you will most likely begin as a junior penetration tester, or move into the role of penetration tester after beginning in a different entry-level job.

Prepare for a Job in Cybersecurity

Now that you know more about how you can land a great job in cybersecurity, you can focus on what you will do to make it a reality. Start preparing for your dream job in cybersecurity today.