Cybersecurity has always been an exciting field to work in. As a cybersecurity fresh graduate, how can you stand out among the rest and land a job?
The COVID-19 pandemic has hampered many industries. Yet, the case is different in cybersecurity. Every industry needs some sort of data protection, making the demand for cybersecurity professionals skyrocket. Furthermore, these professionals enjoy competitive salaries due to the high demand.
However, you still need to exert effort to stand out among other applicants. As a cybersecurity fresh graduate, you need to level up your game in job hunting. How can you achieve that? This article serves as a guide on how to land a job as a cybersecurity fresh graduate.
Read cybersecurity stories online
Cybersecurity is an ever-changing field. Thus, you need to keep up with the pace and stay on top of industry trends to break into the field. Fortunately, there are tons of websites to help you with that.
For instance, Threatpost is an independent news site that helps readers keep updated on major cybersecurity news of the day. Furthermore, their articles do not contain a lot of cybersecurity jargon, making them easier to read. Or you could check out Krebs on Security, a blog section digging into the tactics that hackers use.
Practice your skills on CTF games
“Capture the flag” or CTF games help students practice their cybersecurity skills. As a cybersecurity fresh graduate, CTF games can help you sharpen your skills further. Some of the skills you may practice are cryptography, computer forensics, and hacking.
One website that offers CTF games is picoCTF. They offer fresh challenges and will help you build a knowledge base of skills in a safe environment. Moreover, challenges in picoCTF are self-paced. Some of the challenges you’ll tackle are reverse engineering, hacking, and decryption.
Experiment with a second computer
Learning new skills online has never been easier. It is recommended that you self-study with a second computer. Experiment with operating systems like Windows and Linux. Do not forget to install security software and if you have permission, monitor the networks that you connect to.
Program, program, program
This is a major step in advancing your career. You need to have a deep understanding of programming languages such as Python, C, or Assembler. cybersecurity degree programs usually include this skill in their curriculum. But practice makes perfect! Furthermore, check out programming online courses, too, like Code Academy.
Talk to as many cybersecurity professionals as you can
Networking is a crucial factor in any industry. Attend networking events and cyber clubs for young people and professionals looking to enter the cybersecurity industry. Additionally, check out if your country runs any schemes designed to nurture cybersecurity talent. Does your alma mater offer such opportunities? If so, make sure that you grab those.
Don’t underestimate the importance of ethics and integrity
Possessing strong ethics and responsibility is a must if you want to enter the field given the nature of the work. Hence, you must think about the content you post on your social media accounts. Posting insensitive material may fire back at some point in your life. Prove you are trustworthy.
