Hi Everyone,
Currently I have a BSEE degree and I'm working as a Sr. Systems Engineer designing control panels, PLC / HMI software and basically automating conveyors and machines as needed. I'm currently 50 years old and have started wondering about how I'm not really making a difference in the world doing what I'm doing now. Call it a mid/late-life-crisis I suppose but I thought I would like to break into the world of computer forensics and perhaps even put a few "bad guys" away while working with law enforcement.
Recently I have been looking into on-line degrees and came across the MSIT from Kaplan. I called a few places here in Alabama and was told that perhaps obtaining certifications or attending forensic classes like the SANS would serve me better than actually obtaining my Masters. I would like to obtain a bit of advice on which route I should pursue before I start spending money on something that may be called "wasted time". Has anyone here used Kaplan University? How do people in the CF world view on-line degrees? Should I just skip getting my Masters and just pursue certifications instead? Any advice would be most appreciated.
Thank you.
Richard
Richard,
In my experience, having an EnCE or CCE or GCFA will help you land a job more quickly than a Masters degree without any certifications. Further, you could get all three of the above in the time it would take you to get the Masters.
I'm not knocking academic degrees at all, but for your stated purposes, I think the certifications are a better way to go.
-David
Good to see you on here Richard. This is a great community of supportive peers. I second David's opinion.
Mike
Thank you for your responses.
I looked a bit into the EnCE and CCE certifications yesterday. The EnCE seems to have some requirements that I cannot claim at this point, namely experience in the forensic field. However, the CCE certification seemed a good starting point. I took the sample test listed on the site and I scored in the 90+ range. I would have done better but I did not take my time due to being at work when I took the test. I'll look into the GCFA certification today and see if I could pursue that in the near future as well.
Richard