I graduated university with a Cybersecurity Degree, what's next?

[@RyanJonkerCyber]

“What’s next?” 100k subs is what’s next! Congrats on your degree and success with the channel. Totally correct about not chasing the dollar amount but instead chasing the best learning experience at a fair wage. You will go far with that mindset. Can’t wait to see what’s next!

[@collinsinfosec]

Thank you Ryan! Very kind of you to comment. Haha, I will see about the 100k subs, maybe soon hopefully!

[@Spitfire45]

Congratulations on your degree man! You've been a great help to us and everyone who's pursuing a career in cybersecurity.

[@Sara-fe8re]

Congratulations on your degree, Grant! Can’t wait to see what you do in the future!

[@collinsinfosec]

Thank you Sara! Kind of you to reach out!

[@tudor14]

Solid video mate, wishing you the best of luck in your career. I'm in my final semester in an IT degree majoring in Networks and Cybersecurity systems in Australia and the difference in degrees as seen in your video is night and day, your degree looks so much more sophisticated whereas my IT degree (even with a major in cybersec) is just too broad and fluffed out - almost making me feel like the last three years at uni have been a waste of time. The point around 7:20 minute mark is spot on, you need a portfolio to show active learning outside of university study these days just to get an internship or entry level position as a degree on its own simply doesn't cut it. One thing I've felt during my degree was placing too much emphasis on the grades and putting too much effort into the degree where I could be putting that time and energy on a personal project as at the end of the day grades are just letters on paper but the learning is in personal projects. Your videos over the years have made me look at my degree differently and makes you wonder about the value of university degrees (in my state) these days albeit most jobs I've seen here in Australia require a degree - so it looks like its just a means to an end. I even remember you talking about side projects and their importance in some of your very first videos and thats a piece of advice I'd wished I'd followed throughout my degree. Hope you're doing well, its been a pleasure to have followed you all these years to see you complete your degree - sorry for the rambling!

[@collinsinfosec]

Thank you Tudor. I can relate to exactly what you are saying, it's something I have realized throughout my process while being told by others to be aware of how a college degree can and cannot be beneficial. Best of luck to you too!

[@Delbzy]

Hey mate how did the degree go did you get it finished? I'm in Australia just about to start the same degree that you're doing. Have you had any luck with internships and jobs?

[@tudor14]

@@Delbzy Hey mate. I did finish my degree in July last year. I had a weird run of events to be honest. I didn't do any internships throughout my degree as the ones that were part of my degree were unpaid, and at the time I had to forfeit unpaid opportunities to support people at home. I was able to do a semester long project instead of the internship, which actually caught the eye of my current employer who had reps visiting the universities. I'm currently working as a consultant, primarily in backend web development which is pretty good. I definitely wouldn't have gotten my current job if I hadn't been learning web development in my spare time though. My degree simply wouldn't have prepared me for what I'm doing now, and it makes those months of self-study invaluable as I was able to hit the ground running.

[@muhammedmahmood6045]

Hey Grant, as someone who was very recently in your position, I understand your search well. While it may not sound appealing, I would recommend considering developer or IT jobs along with your search for cybersecurity consulting. Personally in my experience, getting a job in security out of the door is quite challenging.

[@collinsinfosec]

Hi Muhammed! Absolutely, will be considering all of my options, including general I.T. I do have an offer lined up with a company, but I had to keep it very general in the video. Still unaware of the outcome yet.

[@superflyakash8025]

Ayooo congrats man. I really loved following along with your journey and please don't stop now that your out of college.

[@collinsinfosec]

Yes! I enjoyed it. Now I am off to the next, in a way I am just getting started. I will be documenting my entry level career and everything in between hopefully

[@DankSubstance]

I remember your first few videos. I am also in IT and Security. Congrats on finally graduating from university! You have a lucrative career ahead. Get your security certs and some experience. You are golden from there on out.

[@antoniocleveland9678]

Congrats on graduating. Wishing you well in your career pursuits.

[@collinsinfosec]

Much appreciated Antonio!

[@143jeg]

Congrats! So few entry level Cyber Security jobs out there. Don't get too discouraged if you get shot down a few or even many times.

[@hussaini24]

Congratulations man🎉. U are a real role model to me and I will be joining u in a couple of Months Insha Allah. Wish u all d best.

[@chrisrussell4702]

Hey dude you randomly popped up in my feed today. We were in a few classes together, its awesome to see you kill it man! Keep it up

[@collinsinfosec]

Hey Chris! I remember we had a group project together, funny how the KZbin algorithm works 😂 Thank you! I hope all is well with your ventures too!

[@jaycrown6927]

Congrats on graduating! Excited to see what the future brings!

[@sebastianwaseta6134]

WOW!! Awesome Congratulations Grant Collins...Much Respect

[@nutcoatz6230]

Congratulations Grant!!!!!!!! So proud of you

[@ahmedalzahrani7356]

Congrats Grant!!!

[@ericouhl5423]

Keep pushing on!

[@SteveGillham]

Congratulations on your degree 👍

[@collinsinfosec]

Thank you Steve!

[@anirudh727]

Congratulations !! I am so happy to have you as my mentor.

[@collinsinfosec]

Thank you. I am happy to help and learn at the same time!

[@rizwanraeem]

Congratulations brother 💞

[@naviya98]

Wow wow Grant, ❤️😍😍 Congratulations on your degree. I am learning a lot from you.❤️

[@collinsinfosec]

Thank you Naveen, happy to help share the journey.

[@fredadomako3981]

Congrstulations. Im currently taking mine too.

[@collinsinfosec]

Best of luck Fred!

[@fredadomako3981]

@@collinsinfosec Thank you

[@hementoru]

Congrats Grant 🚀

[@collinsinfosec]

Thank you!

[@gonzaloguerra2654]

I know I am late, but congratulations for getting your degree 🎉🎉

[@SunnyDays-888]

Congratulations!!!

[@collinsinfosec]

Thank you!

[@mohammadmousa4021]

Man i love the algorithm o just graduated cybersecurity from semo last may and you just popped off in my feed 😂😂😂🔥

[@haiangbuitan4386]

Congratulations on your degree, as following you for a long time, you are my inspiration to take me to CyberSecurity. Thank u for your sharing knowledge and I will very exited if you reply this comment 🍀

[@collinsinfosec]

Happy to help share the journey. Thank you!

[@akustic1983]

Congrats and all the best!

[@buffstarforlife]

congrats on ur degree fam! keep going

[@collinsinfosec]

Thank you Barlito!

[@gamehitzin115]

I got interested in a cybersecurity course after watching your videos and have applied for this course. Your videos are very helpful for everyone.

[@mayuraandrew]

Congrattulations :)

[@latenightsesh4344]

Just headed to community college for my transfer cybersecurity major !!

[@idontknow-ms8mc]

Congratulations!

[@collinsinfosec]

Thank you K!

[@John-ru4gz]

SW207 was by far your most valuable class

[@alexalderson5767]

Congratulations bro..

[@kenm.a.d.7196]

Nice job man, I'm graduating in Cybersecurity this May and am constantly stressed about how to go about things from then on but your videos help give me confidence.

[@stunchbox7564]

Congrats!! Remember when you where breaking down Your cybersecurity syllabus...also when you got your s+...it seems like yesterday

[@collinsinfosec]

Thank you Matthew! Time has gone so quickly!

[@alexandtahlla2865]

Congrats!

[@collinsinfosec]

Thank you Alex!!

[@StudioSec]

Congrats Grant! Sounds like our degree programs were fairly similar. BTW I'm from Springfield so my ears popped up when you said you went to SE Missouri State. Would love to get you on the #CyberMondayShow sometime to talk more about your experience and about some of the exciting things you have planned for the future!

[@collinsinfosec]

Hey! Springfield MO? Good ole' Missouri Bears. Absolutely, would enjoy being on the show. Email me: [e-mail] - Also great content! Your Log4J was one of the first resources I watched when the vulnerability was disclosed.

[@jamesdietsch7868]

Many congrats Grant! Looks like we graduated roughly the same time 🙂

[@collinsinfosec]

You as well James, Congrats! Best of luck!

[@jamesdietsch7868]

@@collinsinfosec Thanks Grant you the same! It’s been great watching your journey 🙂

[@NateHoskins]

I also just graduated with a Cybersecurity degree. I accepted a job as a network technician and plan to pursue the CCNA. My stategy is to specialize in networking and then transition into Cybersecurity somewhere down the line.

[@Hamza_Aziz]

Thats actually good, that networking background will give you a edge in understanding how tech works inside out!

[@DigitalLiquid]

Any update?

[@NateHoskins]

@DigitalLiquid i worked that network technician job for about 5 months ($24 an hour), then got a job as a network administrator for about 6 months ($70,000), then I became an IT Auditor ($76,000+ annual bonus). I've been at this job for a little over 10 months now. 37.5 hour work weeks and no more 24/7 on call crap. For reference, all of these jobs were in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

[@NateHoskins]

Also, I got the network+ but never got the CCNA.

[@DigitalLiquid]

@@NateHoskins Oh wow! That is impressive. You managed to climb up very quickly in a short amount of time. Thanks for sharing your journey. It is motivating to hear.

[@ominous450]

AWS Cloud, military defense, security, computer systems, ethical hacking, consultant, compliance analyst, etc.

[@gregpikitis8188]

crazy, i watched ur day in the life video forever ago

[@collinsinfosec]

It's been 3 years almost

[@Amanpreetkaur16]

Congrats

[@collinsinfosec]

Thank youy Jackie!

[@Wilson-lz7bz]

Congratulations

[@WoetotheVanquished]

time to go for an m.s. -- good luck. edit: do some CTFs and pwn a few malware noobs while you're at it -- while also meeting people in the space.

[@mattih1999]

Hey I'm taking cybersecurity up here at UCM! Cool to find another person that went to a university in Missouri though for Cybersecurity. I looked at the program at Southeast Missouri State University but decided ultimately on UCM. In my last semester though so looking forward to that graduation. Great major too get no matter where you attend! Did you ever do competitions against other universities?

[@sobiesky2275]

I’m 20 and in a year and a half I will get my bachelor’s degree at computer science. I’m not sure this is path I want to follow imo Cyber Security is a better path for me. Would you suggest starting another degree at 21?

[@collinsinfosec]

I would suggest finishing out your computer science degree and working on security certifications along the way. There isn't a point to put yourself in more debt for another degree in my opinion, unless your computer science and cybersecurity curriculums overlap, like they did for mine. If it's a few extra classes, then I would recommend picking up the degree, but I am guessing it's not based off of your comment here.

[@katlegotibane4082]

I've been following you for like a year,getting into the cyber space is hard basically is there a way we can talk and you can give tips on how to get into the space

[@afaqkhan7983]

Nice work Grant! What are your thoughts on getting cybersec degree from Western Governors University?

[@collinsinfosec]

Hi! I think it's a great program. Especially for the price, curriculum content, and the flexibility of an online program. They are absolutely better than my degree in terms of actual content relevant to the industry. Depending on the company, I would think most would see it equal to just a regular degree

[@afaqkhan7983]

@@collinsinfosec so you would say companies see a cybersecurity degree done in 6 months having equal value to a cybersecurity degree done in 4 years?

[@ILLTh1ef]

@@afaqkhan7983 I got my B.S. in Cyber from a traditional school in 4 years and it definitely was talked about during my interviews. When I mentioned I was about to enroll in WGU for my M.S. they didn't say anything negative about it at all and some said they even considered doing it. For technical degrees I think most in the industry know we can knock this out quickly if the schools would just let us run wild with it. The M.S. is just 9 classes and after a month I have 2 left. The degrees also come with certifications so that as well should speak to your knowledge during interviews. I have CompTIA Sec+ and many of the interviews ended up asking questions from that content. In the end, with an IT/Cyber degree, I don't think anyone cares where it came from as long as it wasn't University of Phoenix or ITT Tech because of their negative image as degree mills.

[@Ahmad-wv2yz]

have a plane for C.security degree from RIT in next session

[@AfricanDive]

Planning on doing bachelor of cyber security 😊 any advice

[@ajday2588]

SEMO!

[@lamar9616]

Do you think its possible to become soc analyst after college I've been learning wireshark and looking into learning a SIEM tool.

[@collinsinfosec]

Hi Lamar, absolutely I think it's possible! Tier 1 SOC Analyst is an entry level position in most cases.

[@lamar9616]

@@collinsinfosec thanks Grant

[@arishadows6285]

I dont know anything about coding since i graduate in Senior high hums but i want to join cyber security do you think i should just quite my goal since i suck at math and dont know any coding ???

[@joshuatenny9934]

Sense you talked about to much theory why not just take UDEMY courses for A+ Network+ and Security+ certs over school, school debt etc. lmk as im making these decisions

[@collinsinfosec]

Good thought process. I think what you have mentioned is very valid and a thought which crossed my mind in my early semesters of college. From my personal perspective, a degree is an "HR checkmark". Unfortunately, it can act as a piece of paper showing potential employers you are able to pass the traditional academic system, which means taking on debt and investing your time. I always recommend others to get a degree for a cheap as possible, while still being accredited. If you do not have any prior degree, then I would highly suggest considering the degree route, even if it's an associate. If you have a degree in some other field, you can probably go straight into certifications.

[@labeveryday5279]

Hey bro...Congrats for your degree....Do you recommend Southeast Missouri State University for Masters in Cyber Security?

[@collinsinfosec]

Thank you! In all transparency, no, I do not recommend them for cybersecurity. Their program has unfortunately experienced a lot of changes, from hands-on practical, to comp sci theory now. I would recommend looking into other programs if you have the budget.

[@labeveryday5279]

@@collinsinfosec Thank you so much for the insight...Appreciated!

[@LebronFan661]

Hello Grant, I am a junior majoring in cyber security. I have a year and a half left before I graduate. What stopped you from landing a job right out of college?

[@collinsinfosec]

Hi! That's good, you are almost there. I do have an offer lined up, I had to keep everything very general until I signed the official document. I will likely not be able to talk in detail about the position due to Non Disclosure Agreements.

[@superflyakash8025]

Do you think you can also recommend any school that offer BS in Information Assurance / Cybersecurity

[@DTnGP]

WGU OFFFER THEM

[@collinsinfosec]

I can't think of any particular programs. WGU may have a program. And also take a look at cyberdegrees.org

[@litaf4889]

BSU just started one last year not sure how great it is. It’s online and heard they can help you with an internship

[@ILLTh1ef]

GCU (Grand Canyon University). The program was very thorough in information and the level of knowledge I walked away with was very noticeable compared to my peers.

[@kupas3004]

Hi Grant, I hope you are well! I live in Turkey, I have to choose a university and I have no idea what to choose... Should I choose Computer Engineering or Information Technology Security? I will be very happy if you reply. And i congratulations you.

[@collinsinfosec]

Hi! I personally think that's up to you. Take a look at the curriculums and see what classes excite you more! They are both reputable degrees, as long as you receive the diploma from an accredited university.

[@ramkanwar9697]

OSCP?? As ur next move

[@collinsinfosec]

It's not my direct next move. I may consider the certification eventually, even though I will probably never specialize in red team.

[@lakshaytanwar9788]

Is MS IN CYBERSECURITY FROM YOUR UNIVERSITY WORTH IT! AS AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT?

[@nobody_s_perfect]

где русские субтитры?((

[@vincentnguyen1639]

im using this speech for my next interview lol

[@earth5865]

do you think computer science would be a better degree to get started off in the industry?

[@collinsinfosec]

I think it can be. It all depends on how you frame what you have learned and the types of companies you are applying to. From my perception, it appears Computer Science degrees are more widely accepted as a quality form of education and degree over cybersecurity. However, if you talk to the right companies, cybersecurity may often put you a small percentage ahead other candidates for security specific positions. It really depends. If you are in computer science, studying for security certifications is a great idea to boost your security experience and skills.

[@LokeshKumar-tk7ri]

Brother I'm a cyber security engineering student (fresher) can you tell me the best way to learn cyber security

[@christian7561]

You dont need a degree for cybersecurity to work in cybersecurity?

[@JoakimBB]

If you would weight up the degree vs certifications would you say a degree is worth it?

[@LilManMoe]

Both

[@danalachesebastian]

How years do you learn in college ?

[@collinsinfosec]

I did it in 3 1/2 years.

[@manikiran3050]

Hi grant hope u remember me 😉

[@collinsinfosec]

Hi Mani! I do ;)

[@aritraghosh6934]

Is Caltech a good University for Cyber Security?

[@collinsinfosec]

Hi Aritra. I have heard good things from Caltech. I do not have a personal opinion on the program, I haven't done my research into their curriculum.

[@aritraghosh6934]

Thank you sir, but can you tell me how can I get admiited in South Missouri State University (B.Cyber Security) from other continent?

[@jerome_ee6522]

what was your thesis?

[@LakshanSameera]

Hey.. Im really in a confused situation where i want to be a cybersecurity enginner as well as a data scientist.. Please tell me what will be the best and best paying field.. Cybersecurity or data scientist or whats the best degree.. Computer science or computer security??

[@collinsinfosec]

Either is a great paying field!

[@footballcyber3187]

Salary sir

[@mrmuffin5046]

we all know you will become a youtuber and then quit your jobs and teach cyber security on youtube....the trend

[@_bass3xe838]

Looking for a job ? Hmu

[@collinsinfosec]

Thank you!

[@anjalikakkar7273]

seems moreover lk yo giving out ur resume here for jobs just bruh/

[@collinsinfosec]

😂 No, I have a job lined up already.

[@anjalikakkar7273]

@@collinsinfosec superb, more line over nw yeet ggwp😂

[@guilherme5094]

Congratulations!

[@collinsinfosec]

Thank you Félix!