Cyber Security Training: Is a Master's Degree My Next Step?
Deciding to go back to school to pursue your master’s degree in cybersecurity is a big decision. Working towards your advanced degree can be difficult, especially since life is always busy and filled with the unexpected. Due to these challenges, it’s important that you embark on your degree with the full understanding of what is expected of you as a student.
Apart from academic knowledge and high test scores, a good master’s degree candidate should also have some personal qualities that will enhance their chances of success. Here are just a few of the attributes needed to be successful in graduate school!
Self-motivated
The determination to work hard and succeed is important. A cybersecurity graduate course features a more substantial workload than that of an undergraduate level and you can easily become overwhelmed. To successfully complete your master’s degree, you have to persevere and be determined to succeed.
This quality is essential for students who hold full-time jobs. You can easily get tired and unmotivated after spending your entire day at work. However, for you to succeed, you have to remain self-motivated and get the work done even if you will be required to work on the weekends.
Be passionate about what you do
Most people succeed in cybersecurity graduate programs due to their love for this discipline. Given the amount of work that you will have to do, if you don’t love what you do, you will most likely become unmotivated and have a difficult time. The best candidate for a master’s degree in cybersecurity should be determined to complete tasks efficiently and to the highest standards.
Well-organized
To successfully complete your master’s degree, you will have to be organized. Graduate school can be time-consuming, especially if you’re juggling between work, family, and school. This means that you also have to use your time effectively to study and take tests in addition to your current duties.
Benefits of a Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity
You might have heard that experience is the currency in the cybersecurity field and wonder why you should pursue an advanced degree. However, employers and smart cybersecurity professionals know the real value of an advanced degree in the cybersecurity field.
Leadership positions: A master’s degree in cybersecurity could qualify you for leadership positions. Bachelor degree programs in cybersecurity focus more on the technical aspects while a master’s degree normally includes leadership and management coursework in the curricula.
Keeps you competitive: Although now is the best time to enter the cybersecurity field due to the numerous job opportunities, a master’s degree will help you stay competitive in the future when the field becomes more saturated. Eventually, not having a master’s degree could mean that other cybersecurity professionals could be selected for important job positions over you.
Complete it faster than you'd think: Most people shy away from pursuing a master’s degree in cybersecurity because of their busy lives. If time is your main concern, many institutions offer accelerated programs that can help you complete your graduate degree much faster.
Additionally, you can pursue your master’s degree online, which means that you don’t have to quit your job. An online master’s degree program is flexible and can help you balance between work, family, and school.
Networking opportunity: Whether you pursue your master’s degree in cybersecurity online or in-person, your classmates and professors will come from different professional backgrounds. Therefore, you will be connected to many successful professionals. Such professionals can help you land a better job position or aid in the completion of a project.
Lifelong learning: Technology is always changing, and you will have to keep up if you want to succeed in your cybersecurity career. A master’s degree in this discipline will improve your research, writing, communication, and analyzing skills.
This will make you a better problem solver and communicate your findings in understandable language even to the less tech-savvy clients. A graduate degree will also expand your wealth of knowledge and prepare you for a life of continuous learning.
How a Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity Can Jumpstart Your Career
Although an undergraduate degree will give you the basic knowledge that most employers look for, those with a master’s degree in cybersecurity are more attractive hires. Additionally, a master’s degree in cybersecurity can help you transition into senior positions. According to a recent survey, approximately 74 percent of employers have increased their educational standards. Some of the jobs that you could qualify for with a master’s degree include:
- Cybersecurity Analyst
- Network Security or Data Center Administrator
- Risk Assessment and Vulnerability Analysis Administrator
- Penetration Tester
- Information Systems Security Engineer
Are you looking to move ahead in your cybersecurity career? If so, earning a Master of Science in Cybersecurity could be the next step for you. ECPI University offers this degree program online and at an accelerated pace. For more information on this exciting opportunity, connect with a knowledgeable admissions officer today.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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Gainful Employment Information – Cybersecurity - Master’s
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