Security Basics mailing list archives
RE: University Degree or CISSP
From: "David Gillett" <gillettdavid () fhda edu>
Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2006 17:36:07 -0800
I began to work in the software industry in 1976 (co-op in college). Circumstances intervened, and I began to work full-time in 1979 without having completed my degree. By then I had enough experience to get my foot in the door. I was able to complete my degree and finally graduate in 1988, while still working full time. My then employer recognized my accomplishment with a substantial raise and promotion. In 1997, I was pushed from software development into IT, networking, and security. (I quickly grew to love it, and am not looking to move back.) And I embarked on my first certifications, *largely* as a way to get up to speed and fill in gaps in my knowledge relative to my new responsibilities. Last month, I passed my CISSP. Even though I no longer routinely write code, I find my background and understanding of that world utterly invaluable in my current situation. I think the 3-4 years experience component of the CISSP is *at least* as valuable to the practitioner as the actual exam knowledge. An unusually lucky individual *might* be able to obtain that experience without a degree, but I'm sure that a better quality of experience will be easier to acquire with a degree than without. So while both should be part of your career plan, I'd say the degree is the one to start on first. David Gillett CISSP CCNP CCSE MCSE A+ (and seriously contemplating CWNA) (My degree is a ("4-year") Bachelor of Independent Studies, earned for a thesis applying formal methods to verification of a functional specification of a communications protocol.) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- EARN A MASTER OF SCIENCE IN INFORMATION ASSURANCE - ONLINE The Norwich University program offers unparalleled Infosec management education and the case study affords you unmatched consulting experience. Tailor your education to your own professional goals with degree customizations including Emergency Management, Business Continuity Planning, Computer Emergency Response Teams, and Digital Investigations. http://www.msia.norwich.edu/secfocus ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current thread:
- Re: University Degree or CISSP, (continued)
- Re: University Degree or CISSP Simon Biles (Jan 20)
- Re: University Degree or CISSP Saqib Ali (Jan 23)
- RE: University Degree or CISSP evb (Jan 24)
- Re: University Degree or CISSP Saqib Ali (Jan 23)
- Re: Re: University Degree or CISSP shyaam (Jan 23)
- RE: Re: University Degree or CISSP Huang, John, GCM (Jan 24)
- RE: Re: University Degree or CISSP Ken Kousky (Jan 24)
- Re: University Degree or CISSP Steven Kalcevich (Jan 25)
- Re: University Degree or CISSP Toby Barrick (Jan 25)
- RE: University Degree or CISSP Ken Kousky (Jan 26)
- RE: University Degree or CISSP evb (Jan 26)
- RE: University Degree or CISSP David Gillett (Jan 27)
- RE: Re: University Degree or CISSP Greg van der Gaast (Jan 29)
- RE: Re: University Degree or CISSP Ken Kousky (Jan 24)
- RE: Re: University Degree or CISSP Elizabeth Lewis (Jan 25)
- Re: Re: University Degree or CISSP ilaiy (Jan 26)
- RE: Re: University Degree or CISSP Elizabeth Lewis (Jan 28)
- Re: Re: University Degree or CISSP FocusHacks (Jan 30)
- RE: Re: University Degree or CISSP Hytham Abu-Safieh (Jan 30)
- Re: University Degree or CISSP Simon Biles (Jan 20)
- RE: Re: University Degree or CISSP Michael J. Benedetto (Jan 28)