shaun
my school does not have a computer science class or any other computer class
im 13 a know im young to be on a career website but i want to work in cyber security. knowing my school does not have computer science i am self teaching my self Linux and python so i can know basic knowledge of cyber security. but can i get in two a college or university by being self taught with out a grade from school? #computer-science #computer-software #computer-programming #computer-networking #computer-security
5 answers
James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
Can You Get into College or University for Cyber Security by Being Self-Taught?
Yes, it is possible to get into a college or university for cyber security even if your school does not offer computer science classes. Many educational institutions value self-taught skills and practical experience in the field of computer science and cyber security. Here are some steps you can take to enhance your chances of getting into a college or university for cyber security:
Self-Teaching and Skill Development: Continue self-teaching yourself Linux and Python, as these are valuable skills in the field of cyber security. Additionally, explore other programming languages commonly used in cyber security such as C, C++, Java, and Ruby. There are numerous online resources, tutorials, and communities dedicated to learning these languages and their applications in cyber security.
Online Courses and Certifications: Consider enrolling in online courses and obtaining certifications related to cyber security. Platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udemy offer a wide range of courses on cyber security topics such as network security, cryptography, ethical hacking, and information security. These certifications can demonstrate your commitment to learning about cyber security and can strengthen your college or university application.
Participate in Cyber Security Competitions: Engage in cyber security competitions such as Capture The Flag (CTF) events or hackathons. These competitions provide hands-on experience in solving real-world cyber security challenges and can showcase your practical skills to college admissions committees.
Build a Portfolio: Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, coding exercises, and any practical applications of your cyber security knowledge. This portfolio can include write-ups on vulnerabilities you have discovered, tools you have developed, or any contributions to open-source cyber security projects.
Networking and Mentorship: Connect with professionals in the field of cyber security through online forums, social media platforms like LinkedIn, or local tech meetups. Seeking mentorship from experienced professionals can provide valuable guidance and potentially lead to recommendation letters for your college applications.
Admissions Process: When applying to colleges or universities for a cyber security program, emphasize your self-taught skills, practical experience, certifications, and portfolio in your application materials. Highlight how your self-directed learning has prepared you for success in a formal academic setting.
It’s important to note that while self-teaching and practical experience can be significant assets when applying to college or university programs, institutions may still have specific academic requirements for admission. Therefore, it’s advisable to research the admission criteria of the institutions you are interested in and reach out to their admissions offices for guidance on the application process.
Overall, demonstrating a strong passion for cyber security through self-teaching, skill development, practical experience, certifications, and a well-crafted application can certainly increase your chances of being accepted into a college or university program for cyber security.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used in Answering this Question:
Cybersecurity Education & Training Resources - National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers & Studies (NICCS): This authoritative source provides comprehensive information on cybersecurity education resources including training programs, certifications, scholarships, and academic institutions offering cybersecurity programs.
The Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP): OWASP is a widely recognized organization focused on improving software security. Their resources include educational materials on web application security which are relevant to the field of cybersecurity education.
SANS Institute: SANS is a leading provider of cybersecurity training and certification. Their expertise in cybersecurity education makes them an authoritative source for understanding the skills and knowledge required for success in the field.
Dear me my school had computer science in 1972.
GOD BLESS!
James.
Joanne Mammarelli
Joanne’s Answer
Wow .. I agree with Brendon
- Do well in all of your classes
- See if you can start a computer club of your own
- For a small amount of money, you can gain experience with hardware on software via a raspberry PI
- see if you can gain some type of experiences with computers, and as Brendon said, document all that you've created/supported
also a thanks to you to!!
shaun
Joshua Sutfin
Joshua’s Answer
Yes you should have no problems. Make a folder or page on Github or something like that to store your work and act as a portfolio to show what you have done. Also do volunteer work for small places to get real world experience. Good luck to you.
Santosh Mangalapalli
Santosh’s Answer
"Books" our best companion anytime. We can get the books from library to start learning the basics and to understand about cyber security. However, for us to understand the real time scenarios and this environment we need to work in a computer science lab or join some security council institutions and get a certification to fetch an exciting and challenging career.
Thanks.
Brendon Larsen, PTA
Brendon’s Answer
Absolutely! Most colleges require applications and essays which will let you explain extracurricular work and you'll be able to explain your situation there.
Some advice on how to prepare:
Start to keep track of how many hours you spend self-teaching yourself, what projects you complete, etc. That way you'll have a large list of things to draw upon.
Look at starting a Computer Science Club. Nothing shows more commitment and initiative than saying, "there wasn't a group teaching this, so I made one."
* Lastly, do well in the rest of your classes. If you can Ace a "boring" class like early European history, you'll have no problem doing well in college when the courses relate to what you want to spend your life doing.
Best of luck!
Thanks! this Helped me alot.
shaun