Completed Bachelors Degree Thoughts

Hey all, I wanted to thank you again for taking time out of your day to either read this blog or find any perspectives of mine or resources I've found to help you along your journey either through the beginning of your cyber career or to those seasoned vets.

Today, I'd like to discuss and talk about the state of Institutional Education and observations I'm seeing regarding the Job Market.

First off, I'd like you to understand me on a personal note. I wasn't one for school. I barely got by through High-School, and I am quite convinced my teachers gave me the 'sympathy' pass. In college I was no different, I had no true goals, was a restaurant server, and was a degenerate party goer lol. (Hey 2009 - 2015 was PEAK party season, lol. OG Fourlokos, PLUR, you get it.) At this point I've dropped out of Community Colleges 4-5 times. Yes yes, my mother wasn't happy with me. Fast forward to COVID I worked at a chemical/manufacturing plant because I decided to break out of my comfort zone and not go back to restaurants and with a new born, that's where I had to light that fire under my derrière - so to speak.

Now that've you've understood some context, let me tell you about earning your Degree and if its worth it to you.

The college I attended was Western Governors University Online Degree. It's affordable, you are able to go at your own pace, and most of all remote. Additionally, there are some known Cybersecurity certificates / IT Certs that can be in substitute for a class. For example, I was able to knock out 1 class due to my preexisting CompTIA Security+. For me I was paying about ~$600 dollars a month out-of-pocket for the Bachelor Degree program. My enrollment began February 2022 and as of May 9th 2025.

Initially, I began my journey in the Bachelor of Science Cybersecurity Information Assurance Program. There were some really solid classes in here. Luckily I've already earned my Security+ on my own so that knocks off a class. There were a few difficult classes such as Cryptography. I know some people will say this was easy, but I could not crack it.

— A little note here, and it will be discussed further, During this time, I was able to gain employment from an MSSP based out of Houston through a friend through discord channels. (So yes, I did get a job as a SOC T1 before my degree). —

This is where I've decided to transition my degree path into more of a Business and Management role. I wanted to be part of forward thinkers and leaders who are able to strategize the future for stakeholders.

Before I finished my degree I already had about 3.5 years of exp (I believe). 2.5 years of those are from being a solid Security Operations Analyst. With my technical background already established, I decided that the change to the Business and Management role would be good for my career.

— Now lets focus on how this experience Benefits you and your career and the current state of the Job Market

College, is it worth it?

First of all, you need to reassess yourself, your current fiscal situation, time, familial responsibilities, and etc. I'm sure you've heard the ill conceived "get a degree, and you're promised great things!" That might've worked 15 years ago, but in today's world it really isn't. Not to mention that there are corporations that still require a Bachelors degree to even be part of the talent pool. And guess what while these large corporations have cut of the fat for applicants, they're still in a talent pool with many other collegiate applicants.

College shouldn't be a means to an end, but it is a means to a beginning (in some ways). I know there are super duper talented people out there who are 1337 hax0rs and are Director of Red Teams or serious Defensive Detection Engineers and do not have their degree, but they are really a small percent; and you must really ask yourself, are you able to provide that type of dedication, intellect, and skills

And if you aren't that is okay! Welcome to the club, where we are all just getting by. I will say my change of Business and Management really did open my eyes to the bigger picture on a few things that I definitely wouldn't have had considered.

As an emphasis, really consider college if you have the means of finances. Do not go to college if you cannot afford to do so - it is a commitment that needs to be seen through the end. Do not consider college as a "I went to college therefore, I get big bux". I'm sorry, with that attitude in today's world you aren't going to get very far. There are Master students out there who still cannot find a job, this is for both experienced and non-experienced peers.

Checking a college degree off of a resume will be permeable through the basic 1st round of hires at large company's but after that its about grit, dedication, and passion. And if you didn't have passion to get into this, then you're also out. There are a few industries where you're doing the same task over and over, but cyber is changes and it is imperative for us to remain with the times.