Career Outlook
by Editors
editors@ccgmag.com
TIPS TO LAND ONE OF TOMORROW’S EXCITING NEW JOBS TODAY CAREER GUIDE
Cyber security is a rapidly growing field encompassing a multitude of opportu- nities for STEM professionals. With the numerous cyber threats existing today, organizations have a high demand for information security experts to help safeguard and monitor their systems. As organizations gravitate toward Web-based applications as solutions to everyday needs, individuals looking to enter the industry, or move upward in their careers, have several options.
Since information security is an up- and-coming field, there are various technology avenues for STEM profes- sionals to explore. The Occupational Job Handbook lists technical specialists as one of the fastest-growing fields and the Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts the industry to see faster than the average growth of job prospects over the next several years.
Since the security industry is still grow- ing and evolving, in many instances the supply of jobs outweighs the number of eligible candidates, but competition for jobs is picking up. As a result, profes- sional STEM individuals are looking at a variety of ways to find available jobs and get their names visible as job can- didates.
Explore Opportunities One of the initial steps to obtaining employment in the cyber security job niche is to understand industry needs and requirements. This, coupled with the right education, training and knowl- edge, is vital for preparation to enter the security field.
Niche-oriented job search websites con- tain basic tools that help STEM individu- als connect with available jobs. Websites such as
ClearanceJobs.com, UsaJobs. com,
CareerBuilder.com and Monster. com, are worth exploring as a good jumping-off point to see what areas of
54 HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | 2011 information security are in demand.
The public sector often has a substantial need for knowledgeable security profes- sionals. For instance, the U.S. Depart- ment of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense frequently have a high requirement for cyber security experts; in 2010 DHS hosted a virtual cyber job fair seeking to fill up to 1,000 positions with skilled cyber specialists.
Social Media
In addition to job search websites that have sections dedicated to information security, social media is a useful avenue to explore. Increasingly, STEM profes- sionals are using the innovative strategy of combining traditional and virtual methods to find employment.
There is often a level of
self-marketing involved in get- ting any job, in- cluding a job in cyber security. Social media can help fill this requisite. Increasingly, professionals are utilizing social networks for career management and employing them as tools for both research and exposure. Networking is traditionally a valuable activity for career management and to- day’s applicants are connecting in both the offline and virtual environments.
LinkedIn is a popular social media web- site where professionals build an online presence. This website holds value in a variety of ways for those seeking to find a job in specific industries. Individu- als have the ability to build their own online profile and resume, and searches can be conducted for other like-minded individuals already working in the indus- try to see what kinds of specialization, experience, education and certifications are needed. In October 2010, LinkedIn, in collaboration with PwC US, launched
a new tool called Career Explorer. PwC US is one of the largest employers of college graduates in the U.S., and by partnering with LinkedIn, these two companies jointly developed a way to help students plan and build their careers. Career Explorer offers map- ping techniques using statistical and data-driven insights, lists available job openings, and introduces students to potential mentors and future employers.
Twitter and Facebook are two other social media networks people are in- creasingly turning to for career man- agement. Not only do professionals directly connect with each other and/or desirable organizations to work for, but many listing agencies are also actively using social media to share industry information and job availabilities. For instance, ClearanceJobs. com routinely engages on Twit- ter to share infor-
mation with followers about job listings, industry news and/or provide other relevant information. Facebook offers similar interaction by allowing organiza- tions to establish business profiles.
In general, social media encourages strengthened relationships, and the virtual tools available today can enhance career associations. Every network has its strengths and weaknesses, and finding the benefits of each and then utilizing the strengths can further augment ca- reer possibilities. Establishing a presence on a variety of social networks can act as a gateway to industry information and/ or keep informed on the latest news, trends, and forecasts relating to cyber security.
Engaging with others who share like interests and goals may be a helpful way to find a desired position. Online
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