Hi all, in two week time i'll be starting a 4 year course on computer forensics at Northumbria University in Newcastle, England. Computer Forensics is totally new area for me and i was hoping that i could get some advice on what to expect, whether the job market for this type of career is on the rise, or is soon to crash, or just general advice from those who know the ins and outs of this industry.
Thanks )
There is probably nothing to say now that won't be superseded by new technology in 4 years time lol
I would say get a heads up on the
Other than that, drink a lot of beer, work and party hard. Your only at uni once (if you don't mess up…), enjoy it )
Gerryt141, I don't want to sound negative, but there do seem to be lots and lots of graduates coming out into this field, and many seem to be struggling to find jobs, just because it's quite a niche field (i've heard current graduates moan to me that they weren't warned how few jobs there would be / are - whether that's justified or not). I guess one word of advice, if you can do a placement, DO ONE, i'd say it gives people a massive advantage when trying to find work, whether in the employers eyes, or just because of the contacts they'll gain (at that company, or even possibly elsewhere).
I'd probably say e-discovery is more on the rise than CF if that helps at all if you have to make any choices regarding training/courses. (although being from a CF background - I still think of ED as CF-lite p)
Also, excellent article written by Harlan Carvey
Dunno how the job market is in GB, but as a recent grad in the US who currently has a digital forensics job, all I can say is find a way to stand out from your peers. Publish a paper or two, write some forensic software tools, do an internship with you local PD, etc.
What really helped me nail my interview was my internship with a police department. As it turns out, all of the tools I used there are used by my current employer.
Dunno how the job market is in GB, but as a recent grad in the US who currently has a digital forensics job, all I can say is find a way to stand out from your peers. Publish a paper or two, write some forensic software tools, do an internship with you local PD, etc.
What really helped me nail my interview was my internship with a police department. As it turns out, all of the tools I used there are used by my current employer.
This advice holds good for the UK too.
Paul
As its a four year course, we are given the option to take a full years work experience at a particular business or police department. The university has strong links with Price Cooper Waterhouse and Northumberland Police Department. If any one can give me suggestions of businesses specifically looking at employing undergraduates, it doesn't matter if its domestic or abroad, that would be great. I can understand that its such a niche area to create a profession, its one of the main reasons I looked into it. Every time I get asked "What are you studying?" I get the confused and bewildered look that only a mad man gets when I reply with Computer Forensics.
It is possible to go through you degree and come out with a job at the end of it.
I graduated in 2009 from that very course, part of the 1st year to go through it. Looking at the syllabus, its changed a bit since I did it.
As mentioned above, I would highly recommend trying to get a placement. I know of a few out of our year got a job at the end of their degree from their placement employer.
From personal experience, I didn't manage to get a placement however I am now working as an analyst with central Scotland Police. I was quite lucky as the transition period from graduation to job was only 6 months.
The lecturers on the course are a good laugh as well.