5 answers
Harrison
Student
Milford, Massachusetts
1
Question
Updated
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How will I know if I’m choosing the right major for what I want to do long-term?
I'm going into cybersecurity and I really enjoy it, but I'm not sure if its the best for me. #spring25
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5 answers
Carmen B
IT support
1
Answer
Norfolk, Virginia
Updated
Carmen’s Answer
The short answer is you won’t know. And that’s scary. We’d all like to feel 100% certain the choices we make are the right ones, but at best what most of us can achieve is a sense of satisfaction that we’ve done our best for ourselves in making our decisions.
If you worry that your degree choice won’t bring you the happiness/satisfaction/balance/sense of purpose or even salary you desire, my advice would be to try it out first. Careers are not a one and done situation, if you try it and find out it’s not for you, you’re not stuck. You can change course when you have more information.
But if you enjoy it enough to trade part of your time towards that end, remember there are more hours in the day and all of your time won’t be devoted to work. If it doesn’t check all your desired boxes maybe you can fulfill those needs elsewhere.
If you worry that your degree choice won’t bring you the happiness/satisfaction/balance/sense of purpose or even salary you desire, my advice would be to try it out first. Careers are not a one and done situation, if you try it and find out it’s not for you, you’re not stuck. You can change course when you have more information.
But if you enjoy it enough to trade part of your time towards that end, remember there are more hours in the day and all of your time won’t be devoted to work. If it doesn’t check all your desired boxes maybe you can fulfill those needs elsewhere.
Edmond Momartin ☁️
Public Cloud Security & Compliance AT&T | MBA InfoSec | OWASP-LA Board
99
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Edmond’s Answer
You won't know. Cybersecurity is a very broad field - sometimes touching disciplines that might not seem to be obvious. For example are you interested in law enforcement, or hands on the keyboard forensics, etc.
One of the best sources that would help you narrow down the selection is the "Explore Cybersecurity Career Options" section of https://niccs.cisa.gov/education-training/cybersecurity-students - the page provides a great overview of all available areas in cybersecurity.
One of the best sources that would help you narrow down the selection is the "Explore Cybersecurity Career Options" section of https://niccs.cisa.gov/education-training/cybersecurity-students - the page provides a great overview of all available areas in cybersecurity.
Mike Wilson
IT Security
5
Answers
Hendersonville, Tennessee
Updated
Mike’s Answer
Hello,
I encourage you to take the first step by reaching out to see if anyone would allow you to shadow them or offer you an internship. Observing professionals during their workday is a fantastic way to truly understand the job.
If you know anyone working in companies with cybersecurity teams, try contacting them for opportunities. If not, consider exploring local chapters of professional organizations. Groups like ISSA and ISACA often hold regular meetings and you could make professional contacts which can lead to opportunities. You can attend these events, which often welcome students, providing free lunches, fascinating presentations, and a chance to network with industry professionals. You might even have the opportunity to shadow someone and gain firsthand experience of their work.
This could lead to internships or even job offers. You never know what possibilities await!
Wishing you the best in your career journey!
I encourage you to take the first step by reaching out to see if anyone would allow you to shadow them or offer you an internship. Observing professionals during their workday is a fantastic way to truly understand the job.
If you know anyone working in companies with cybersecurity teams, try contacting them for opportunities. If not, consider exploring local chapters of professional organizations. Groups like ISSA and ISACA often hold regular meetings and you could make professional contacts which can lead to opportunities. You can attend these events, which often welcome students, providing free lunches, fascinating presentations, and a chance to network with industry professionals. You might even have the opportunity to shadow someone and gain firsthand experience of their work.
This could lead to internships or even job offers. You never know what possibilities await!
Wishing you the best in your career journey!
Jerry Bires
career coach
60
Answers
Carbondale, Illinois
Updated
Jerry’s Answer
Harrison,
Factor this into your decision-making. We're living in rapidly changing times. Our weather, technology and our ability to work globally are in flux and evolving. E.g., who knows where artificial intelligence or cybersecurity is ultimately headed and how will it affect your future work opportunities? One thing will remain consistent and valuable. Your ability to communicate effectively. And what can assist you in communicating more easily and therefore become even more employable? Language. Make an effort to learn to speak, write and read a second language. Or two. Your worth will increase dramatically. Get a college degree or higher in courses to which your interests gravitate. Determine how well you perform activities about which you are passionate. Because if you are not good to great at something, why should someone hire you to perform that function?
Conduct this Google search: what professions will be in demand in ten years
Then substitute another/related job title or profession to see if that provides a different or expanded list. The results, because of our changing world, may or may not be entirely on target but you'll get an idea. AND you may find out that a certain country may be where that opportunity is most likely to be...hence, my advice about learning multiple languages.
Be sure to go to LinkedIn and search by job title for individuals who now or previously held the job title in which you’re interested. Their profiles should contain valuable information about their duties, work history, career progression, associations/organizations of value to research and more.
Good fortune to you moving forward.
Factor this into your decision-making. We're living in rapidly changing times. Our weather, technology and our ability to work globally are in flux and evolving. E.g., who knows where artificial intelligence or cybersecurity is ultimately headed and how will it affect your future work opportunities? One thing will remain consistent and valuable. Your ability to communicate effectively. And what can assist you in communicating more easily and therefore become even more employable? Language. Make an effort to learn to speak, write and read a second language. Or two. Your worth will increase dramatically. Get a college degree or higher in courses to which your interests gravitate. Determine how well you perform activities about which you are passionate. Because if you are not good to great at something, why should someone hire you to perform that function?
Conduct this Google search: what professions will be in demand in ten years
Then substitute another/related job title or profession to see if that provides a different or expanded list. The results, because of our changing world, may or may not be entirely on target but you'll get an idea. AND you may find out that a certain country may be where that opportunity is most likely to be...hence, my advice about learning multiple languages.
Be sure to go to LinkedIn and search by job title for individuals who now or previously held the job title in which you’re interested. Their profiles should contain valuable information about their duties, work history, career progression, associations/organizations of value to research and more.
Good fortune to you moving forward.
Parisa Mohammadi
cybersecurity analyst
2
Answers
Reston, Virginia
Updated
Parisa’s Answer
It's completely normal to feel uncertain when choosing a career path, especially in a field like cybersecurity. Many of us started out unsure whether it was the right fit or if we'd enjoy it long term. But as we got more involved, we discovered just how exciting and rewarding this field can be. Cybersecurity is a fast-paced, ever-evolving industry. With new technologies and threats emerging all the time, there's always something new to learn. It’s challenging in the best way, you're constantly problem-solving, thinking critically, and working to protect systems, data, and people from real-world risks.
What makes cybersecurity truly unique is the impact you can have. Whether you're helping a small business protect its data or contributing to national security, your work matters. And the field is broad; there are roles in ethical hacking, risk management, digital forensics, cloud security, and more, so there’s something for nearly every interest and skill set.
If you're someone who enjoys technology, thrives on continuous learning, and wants to make a difference, cybersecurity can be an incredibly fulfilling path. The start may feel uncertain, but that’s often where the best journeys begin.
What makes cybersecurity truly unique is the impact you can have. Whether you're helping a small business protect its data or contributing to national security, your work matters. And the field is broad; there are roles in ethical hacking, risk management, digital forensics, cloud security, and more, so there’s something for nearly every interest and skill set.
If you're someone who enjoys technology, thrives on continuous learning, and wants to make a difference, cybersecurity can be an incredibly fulfilling path. The start may feel uncertain, but that’s often where the best journeys begin.