Jobs in network security/IT for new college grad

[Anonymous]

A close friend is going to graduate in December with a network/IT/computer kind of degree. He's an absolutely fabulous person and will be an asset to any organization. Naturally I want to help him find the perfect position, but I know nothing about such a field. He has a strong family, but I feel like he's floundering a little and panicking about paying off his student loans (he does a lot to help his family financially as well -- very ill sibling). Any companies/government agencies/thoughts on directions in which to point him? He would like eventually to get a grad degree in cyber security so extra points for a place that would help support that.

[Anonymous]

All gov't agencies have IT positions so that is a good starting point. Also, to make the good money in this area (DMV) if not gov't is to find a company that will put him in for a security clearance (usually contracting companies). He can also start at working helpdesk and then work his way from there. Does he have expereince or just degree? If no experience, certs may also be a plus. Tell him to work on Security + cert so he is qualified to work for DoD as CTR if desired.

[Anonymous]

I have worked in this field for 22 years. Unfortunately, no matter how bright you are, this field you work your way up from the bottom. The brighter you are, the faster you rise, but there are no shortcuts and frankly, networking and family only get you in the door, but if you aren't good/bright, then you won't go anywhere from the entry positions.

You start by getting a job with a company or department of an agency that has an IT team. You'll start with basic computer support ranging from general user support to system support. Learn well, learn fast, and teach yourself as much as you can about what's going on. Work with the more senior folks to figure out what they are doing, teach yourself or get training (there's a ton of on-line training, some basic ones for free and others for fee) and work your way up to more and more responsibility. If it is a company/department that has everything very pigeon-holed, and people only work on one thing or one project, try to branch out and support different senior staff, e.g. a little user support so you learn more about what your users do, a little system/server support, a little mail support, a little web-support, etc. Get yourself as familiar with as many topics as you can. Before you can really be a good specialist, you should get the basics as a good generalist. Once you have a couple of years of experience as a generalist you can start getting more experience as a specialist. Why? My company right now is trying to hire a senior level mail adminstrator, but unfortunately, while mail administration of probably 85-90% of the job, this person is still a member of a team who has to be backup to other staff members and occasionally cover when other staff are on vacation or otherwise occupied. We have had people who come in with serious Tier 3 level experience in mail administration who have no idea how to provide network support, general support and user support. These days with shrinking budgets (especially in the federal government and federal contracting), very few places except the very largest have the luxury of being able to provide jobs for people who have senior level support for one thing and only one thing. If you have a generalist background, even if it is 10 years out of date, you can always brush up on those skills and use it to support whatever group is looking.

Also, if he doesn't get work right away, he should try to find any type of computer work. At one point I was laid off and I started doing web support for two volunteer groups that I was a part of. Having experience supporting web servers and web pages was useful in my next job where I ended up having to pick up support for web pages that had been supported by my predecessor. This was one of the minor pluses that helped me get this job over the next guy.

[Anonymous]

TY so much for these excellent responses. He is a very hard worker and no stranger to working his way up from the bottom. He has been working full time while going to college (he's in his mid-20's). He also helps support his family, especially his ill family member. Just an all-around incredible person. I just want to make sure that he continues on this incredible path and gets a nice secure position. He will have no problem entering at the bottom, going above and beyond what is asked of him, and working his behind off. That's just the kind of person he is. Any other advice?

[Anonymous]

Is this your son?

[Anonymous]

I think he will be disappointed. This industry is not one where a college degree alone means good pay. Experience is what counts.
You start with low pay and later get more money. Sometimes hard work means a promotion, sometimes not. It is easier to get more money by switching jobs.