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@Recchan

I can but I’ve decided CyberSecurity is not really for me, I’d rather be more generalised and be able to work outside of the CyberSec field but be able to lean back on it if needed.

I’ll just add a thought on this.

My degree was in computer forensics and security. Since then I’ve worked as a security consultant, and a platform engineer (nothing specifically to do with security). Forensics was extremely useful but I’ve never actually worked specifically in a forensics based job.

I know people from all sorts of degree backgrounds who went into things almost entirely unrelated to their degree. That is to say it is in some ways more important to do a degree that’s useful, but also that you enjoy and are encouraged by. Because you’re not limited to jobs directly related to you’re degree as it will almost certainly have a lot of transferable skills. As you mention the transferable security skills in programming, a programming focused degree works for security, a degree in physics works for programming etc. you get the idea.

@Recchan

I thought CyberSecurity would be fun, but it’s actually very boring, imo. I can use the tools and can prove it, so if I want to go into it I can get the certifications I would require anyways, I think. The reason my degree was founded is actually because there’s a real shortage of CyberSec people in my part of the country.

What are you doing at uni?

In work as a “security consultant” I’ve done everything from ripping apart devices for a security orientated project, go round the country doing testing and assessments (maybe the boring part you’re talking about), to designing bespoke security systems from the ground up for customers with very deep pockets, to managing entire platforms, and now being in a small security team that essentially does everything security related for the company from day to day stuff to building security new tech into the platform.

@Recchan

I think my CyberSec knowledge potentially is useful for this,

It probably will be. If programming is your thing a lot of these concepts still apply. Strong networking and security knowledge especially the more application/program related security areas OWASP, Mitre attack framework, etc.

@Recchan

Cannot. I structured my education quite poorly.

This isnt the end of the world, best thing i would say is to make sure you’re foundational knowledge is strong and that you’ve really locked down the key concepts of the areas you need to know. If programming is the thing you want to get a job in, know the concepts, know how to design, as well as the other core areas we talked about.

Being able to go into an interview and being able to give an answer to a question that you don’t know the specific terminology for but being able to give a an answer on how you would approach the subject because you have a strong foundation of knowledge can make the difference between getting the job or not. Good employers want problem solvers

@Recchan

I probably have no chance then, been struggling quite badly with depression over the last few years and got hit by a really bad breakup with the typical first love; I failed half of the units of a year (this is a repeating year) and still don’t really attend classes. Not sure if I’ll pass this year, but so far I’m hopeful.

My lecturers at this point have stopped replying to my emails when I ask for some slack lol, which is great

My replies can come off as blunt but i completely understand where you’re coming from, I had to deal with an abusive relationship and getting out of that through uni and it can do a number on your head and mental health. Its ok. Do you have good friends at uni that you can bounce motivation off of each others?

I will say that you do have a chance, humans are incredibly capable, sometimes we just get stuck for a bit (i failed college among other things), the fact that you’re thinking about it and asking people is more than a lot of people do. It’s hard to give good advice because people never really know everything that’s going on. But if i remember i found finding something that helped me get into a routine really helped with uni, plus i ended up seeing the potential possibilities and that helped motivated me to find a way to get more motivated and structured (as best as i could… which sometimes isn’t very structured ).

But i can tell you from experience that you do have a chance, and if its not hard work you’re doing it wrong , you just need to get yourself into that right place (doesn’t need to fix any of your problems, just needs to get you in the right mind to push forward with this one thing that you need to complete).

@Recchan

Edit 2: as a further thing, I’ve recently acquired a new girlfriend who has not replied to me within the last 20 hours near enough and my last relationship has damaged me in the sense of security and confidence to the point that I can’t concentrate lol I love it here

The mind is a wonderful horrible thing. Lets talk about networking not your gf, she’s given you the time to get to work and focus on you