Reluctance to help out beginners

Probably about 5-6, most went into somewhere related to IT though. Try http//www.synectics-solutions.com/ if they haven't finished already?

xx

Hi Mike,

There has been some very good advice in this thread and a lot of it is about suitability for a career in this area which is outside my remit.

However, if you want more advice about the nuts and bolts have a look at this article I wrote last year abour securing a placement

http//www.forensicfocus.com/index.php?name=Content&pid=405

The only other two points I would add are these

1, You haven't contacted anywhere enough organisations - unless you have contacted every single organisation in the UK with a forensics capacity then you are potentially missing opportunities. Remember that the ones which are harder to track down will receive fewer applications.

2, I don't think you are utilising social media to stand out from the crowd. Where is your blog? Are you on Twitter? Where is the YouTube channel showcasing your talents?

In my experience, the best jobs/placement don't go to the most talented people but the people who employ the best job seeking strategies.

Good luck.

xxx

Just a thought but you could consider doing a masters in something like network security/hacking. After my forensic degree the job market flopped, so I'm now in the last few months of ISS at Hallam in Sheffield. It's a good course, and there's the option of doing a week long forensic course, + can pay extra for access to SANS forensic material/exams. Also do ISO27001 (biggest ball ache ever). And a dissertation on whatever you want!

You learn everything from using metasploit to SQL injection, and I'm sure the extra skills will draw prospect employers attention. Especially if you fancy a shot at network forensics. Nowadays a degree in forensics alone is unlikely to get you a job (unless it's a first/maybe 21) as there are so many forensic students seeking employment, as so few positions. Personally don't blame the uni's, if they offer a good course they are giving students the ability to get a degree and a job in the field, just they have to work for it..

Got through to face to face interview at GCHQ and got an interview at Sytech too but nothing from the others, awaiting on first advantage.

Just a heads up if you apply to organisations like GCHQ, do not talk about it on open forums (i suggest you ask the mod to delete it from this thread, even if it may be too late), especially if it is easy to find (and read) your Facebook profile as well.

One way to become exceptional on your own, is to do some of the Forensics challenges on the net, do research and post about it, write tools and release them. When it comes to sending in a job application, mentioning stuff like that could put you over the top. Sometimes a person that just loves forensics with the demonstrated ability to learn by himself can beat a bunch of people with masters degrees.

Also, like others have said, i do not think Forensics is a job you should start out in. Get a job working as a tech, a programmer or just something in IT that gives you experience, then go for it. Knowing how systems and users behave can be really useful in this field of work.

One way to become exceptional on your own, is to do some of the Forensics challenges on the net, do research and post about it, write tools and release them.

There are plenty of open source projects out there at the moment that would welcome a willing volunteer - this can raise your profile, introduce you to new people and avenues of opportunity and is good for the community as a whole. Reinventing the wheel is sometimes cool, but most of the time it's better to build on existing efforts. ( Do write and post about it all though ! )

And yeah, the GCHQ guidance is

"Also, please remember what GCHQ is - an intelligence agency - if you wish to apply for a position here you must limit those you tell about your application to your immediate family (parents and/or siblings) and your partner."

"Also, please remember what GCHQ is - an intelligence agency - if you wish to apply for a position here you must limit those you tell about your application to your immediate family (parents and/or siblings) and your partner."

Rather more lax than Fight Club's rules then! )

"Also, please remember what GCHQ is - an intelligence agency - if you wish to apply for a position here you must limit those you tell about your application to your immediate family (parents and/or siblings) and your partner."

definition of "partner" 😯
the one that will become sooner or later an "ex-partner" and will tell everyone about your role in the GCHQ, and should you have gained a leading role in it (or any other intelligence agancy) will sell the news to "The Sun" wink
http//www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3318438/The-Sun-is-the-first-paper-to-get-inside-GCHQ-doughnut.html

For no apparent reason, a couple of graphs about Fight Club
http//27.media.tumblr.com/L1KgEo8Htor0wfph0gBsVHnvo1_500.jpg
http//graphjam.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/funny-graphs-fight-club.gif?w=500&h=317

D

jaclaz

I always had an issue with rule 3 and 7.

Rule 7 is never satisfied when rule 3 occurs.

[…]
For no apparent reason, a couple of graphs about Fight Club
http//27.media.tumblr.com/L1KgEo8Htor0wfph0gBsVHnvo1_500.jpg
http//graphjam.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/funny-graphs-fight-club.gif?w=500&h=317

D

jaclaz