Hi all,
just thought I'd post my two cents worth to this topic. I graduated in May with a Bachelors in Computer Forensics from Champlain College. While attending college I took two CCE bootcamps, one was a week long and one was 4 months long through Champlain College with a great instructor who is well known in the industry. I have also taken a mobile device forensics bootcamp and a steganography investigator bootcamp. I was unable to do an internship because of a family member with an illness whom I needed to take care of….that it why i decided instead to take the 4 month CCE certification class. It was a replacement for the internship. I just started my job search in October and have had one face to face interview and one phone interview. I have also let it be known that I would be willing to relocate at my expense and I would be willing to do any travel necessary for the job up to 75 and 100 percent.
I believe my lack of experience is what is hurting me at the moment. So, I always suggest getting the internship if possible…unfortunately my circumstances did not allow this. I am now in the process of getting my CCE Certification and I will also be studying the EnCase Official Study Guide in hopes that I can take and pass that Certification. We did use this software along with FTK in my undergraduate education and CCE bootcamps so I feel comfortable with both along with various other forensic software packages. I hope these certifications will help to secure some kind of position. I am running out of cash (attending bootcamps and conferences) trying to add things to my resume to show I do have the interest and passion for this field!
I think you should add a profile to Linkedin as I have done that and there are many contacts to be made on this site. Use it for networking, advice, information, etc…
Regarding HTCIA, ask one of your instructors to sponsor you, I did that in my junior year and it went through. Also, I believe a student section of HTCIA was formed, ask about that too.
Hope this helps,
Libby Baugher
Why would you want to even join a student section of an organization which believes that defense members shouldn't be a member.
The us them mentality kills this industry.
One last thing. If you do go with LE, that's good and I wish you well, but remember that at some point you will retire and go to the private sector, and if you do, you will want to call on people from the past to help you with contacts, business, etc. if you snubbed them, then they may not work with you.
Same reverse, if you treat one LE agency bad and try to go to work for one, don't be surprised if you aren't warmly welcomed.