There are many different degrees that you can choose to pick from to help you get a great career. One degree that is growing in popularity and can give you a rewarding career is a degree in cyber security. But what is this degree all about and what are some of the reasons you should choose to go for this degree over some of the others?
Each professional will have their own reason why they think it is important to get a degree in cyber security. Some of the top reasons why a cyber security degree is worth it include:
Provides Job Security
If there was ever a time when you should decide to join the field of cyber security, then right now is the perfect one. There are many cyber threats and a ton of attacks that are happening on companies big and small throughout the country and many of them are becoming more sophisticated by the day.
Due to all of these attacks and issues, many companies are starting to see the value in hiring a cyber security professional to help keep them safe. They know that the loss of income and reputation can be huge if a hacker is successful in getting onto their systems, so they are happy to hire someone to help them out.
As a cybersecurity professional, this allows you a good deal of job security. You will be able to find a job in the field right out of school and can keep it for as long as you would like. If you want a job that will keep you busy and will always have an opening for you, then a job in cybersecurity is a great option.
You Can Earn a High Salary
There is a huge shortage in cybersecurity professionals in many industries. This means that companies are going to pay a higher premium to get the best professionals in their doors. This will help you to earn a lot more money than you can do in other industries, even in the technology sector.
The salary that you can make will depend on your level of education and the amount of experience that you will be able to bring to the table. Some examples of the salaries that you are able to choose include:
- Entry level Cybersecurity Analyst can make more than 482,000 a year.
- Security Specialists can make a median salary higher than $96,000.
- Chief Information Security officers in the United States can make a median salary of almost $218,000 a year.
This is much higher than some of the other careers that you are able to choose from, making it a good investment to help you reach some of your salary goals. You may make a little bit less when you first get started, but as you gain more skills and spend more time doing this work, you can progress up in the career and make more money than at lower positions.
The Job Market is Growing
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job market for cyber security professionals is growing really fast. In fact, information security analysts are seeing their job growth rate at 31%, which is much faster than the average for some of the other lines of work that you could choose from as well.
This is good news if you are trying to get into the market. There are a lot of jobs available and the number of open positions will continue to grow. Even if you are just starting out on your degree right now, you will find that there are available positions for you to choose from when you are done.
Flexibility as You Get Your Degree
If you are already working in the job market and would like to get a degree, then a degree in cyber security is one of the best options. You will find that this is a degree that offers a lot of flexibility, giving you a chance to get your degree online while still balancing your family obligations and a full-time job at the same time.
Many universities are happy to offer hybrid and 100% online degree programs in cyber security to those who want to attend. In addition to flexibility, you will get a number of other benefits such as more options for programs, less money for materials, and you can interact with professionals from around the country and the world.
Lots of Chances to Network
To get the most out of your degree, you need to take the time to network. Because graduate schools will work to attract groups of like-minded people who have some similar interests, such as with cybersecurity, this is the best place for you to connect with others including faculty, alumni, and peers.
The connections that you can make while gaining your career will help you to not only finish the degree, but will offer you more insights and knowledge into the field. The connections that you make during this time will also come in use when you look to either start your career or you look to advance your career as well.
While you are in school, take the time to network as much as possible. Talk with the other students in the class, meet with the teachers, and sign up for some clubs and additional opportunities when you can. Look into internships that you can utilize to learn more skills and meet more people. You never know when these connections can assist you later.
Choosing to Get a Degree in Cyber Security
While there are a lot of different degree programs out there that you can choose, a cyber security degree can provide you with a rewarding job that pays well and presents a lot of fun opportunities each day that you show up. Take a look at some of the reasons above to learn more about why a cyber security degree is worth it.
