To anyone who has graduated from the Champlain program
Were you able to find a position doing computer forensics right after you graduated?
If so, with what company/agency?
Or, do you find yourself doing other computer related work that isn't specifically computer forensics?
Just curious how marketable this degree is.
Thanks in advance.
The degree, like any college degree, is most marketable with previous and specific experience. Internships, part time work, and networking will often prove more heavy when weighing candidates with college degrees.
This career field isn't one that can be learned through a college degree program. The academia helps, but experience is the most important bullet point on your resume. Starting out in Network security or another IT sector doing computer related work (not specifically forensics) isn't really a bad thing. Actually, I'd wager to say it's how most Forensic Analysts/Examiners got their start.
So… the degree is helps make your case and resume solid, but it probably won't be worth much without some kind of experience.
I am a prof. I teach at a university that has recently developed a B.S. in computer forensics.
I was asking about Champlain grads because it seems to be the "oldest" and "most established" program. I was curious about whether our graduates would be able to land jobs. If the degree is too narrowly focused, they may not even be able to get the type of "starter jobs" you describe.
Our department also offers a traditional B. S. in computer science as well.
I'd still love to hear from some graduates of the program at Champlain.
I'm not a graduate of champlain, however I am graduating in may from a different school with a degree in computer forensics. The program is 50% criminal justice and 50% CF.
What type of jobs will a person land? Odds are unless they go law enforcement they will not get a job in forensics specifically. Even then, they will be expected to serve on the force for a few years before they are allowed to be lab rats. Granted, there are some civilian jobs available in law enforcement computer forensics labs. For example The NYS troopers opened 10 civ jobs in their albany crime lab.
In the private sector it would be expected that graduates would start off in IT security, incident response or some other related field. I wouldn't trust a graduate right out of school to handle anything spectacular in the private industry. Like others have said, real world experience is required before someone gets unleashed. They will be able to land jobs in CF, but not right away unless they catch a break.
Me personally…
I have my own company doing IR, CF, Ediscovery, IT security.
I do incident response, forensics and IT security at my day job.
I'm hoping to get my company in as a subcontractor for a gov contractor in the near future as well.