Difficult to get a Cyber Security job

Hi,

I'm currently studying for an undergraduate cyber security degree in year 2. I recently attended a large company's recruitment fair and after having talked to the head of departments of various cyber related functions of that business, I understand that it is quite tough to get into cyber security profession because of fierce competition for the jobs. I was told by one of the top level managers that they normally look to hire people with strong technical skills even for the entry level positions along with a strong desire to learn and passion for the field.

It was quite disheartening to learn that after going through the course it does not prove the fact that the candidate is willing to learn or passionate about the field. Also, one of the people there mentioned that he was given job at the company as he knew someone at the company so they had to create a job for him and it was advertised just for him to get him in, which was quite shocking as the job didn't exist according to what he said and they took him on just because of his contact. Don't understand how some people can get jobs so easily while others just struggle and struggle with no end in sight.

It feels like there's no opportunities in this field for me as I contacted two managerial level people for work experience and they both never replied back. I applied for a year long internship which I have been rejected by the company and waiting to hear a reply back from another firm I applied for the internship, which would be another rejection most likely as there was only four positions with the firm and probably the whole faculty applied for it.

So there is no placements or internship and work experience opportunities for me and it seems like the chances to get employment in cyber especially without work experience are quite slim and bleak. i don't know who to speak to as university is absolutely worthless in helping to find employment/placements, no one seems to help me in this regard despite of getting good grades so far. It's getting more and more clearer that it's who you know and not what you know, which is a corrupt, unfair and bad practice. Absolutely regret going to university and putting myself through a lot of stress and debt, it seems like the whole system is for the few chosen ones and not for all..........just disappointed and depressed. I would never advise anyone to go to university as at the end of the day it all comes down to your contacts, just contacts and nothing else.

Hi,

I'm currently studying for an undergraduate cyber security degree in year 2. I recently attended a large company's recruitment fair and after having talked to the head of departments of various cyber related functions of that business, I understand that it is quite tough to get into cyber security profession because of fierce competition for the jobs. I was told by one of the top level managers that they normally look to hire people with strong technical skills even for the entry level positions along with a strong desire to learn and passion for the field.

It was quite disheartening to learn that after going through the course it does not prove the fact that the candidate is willing to learn or passionate about the field. Also, one of the people there mentioned that he was given job at the company as he knew someone at the company so they had to create a job for him and it was advertised just for him to get him in, which was quite shocking as the job didn't exist according to what he said and they took him on just because of his contact. Don't understand how some people can get jobs so easily while others just struggle and struggle with no end in sight.

It feels like there's no opportunities in this field for me as I contacted two managerial level people for work experience and they both never replied back. I applied for a year long internship which I have been rejected by the company and waiting to hear a reply back from another firm I applied for the internship, which would be another rejection most likely as there was only four positions with the firm and probably the whole faculty applied for it.

So there is no placements or internship and work experience opportunities for me and it seems like the chances to get employment in cyber especially without work experience are quite slim and bleak. i don't know who to speak to as university is absolutely worthless in helping to find employment/placements, no one seems to help me in this regard despite of getting good grades so far. It's getting more and more clearer that it's who you know and not what you know, which is a corrupt, unfair and bad practice. Absolutely regret going to university and putting myself through a lot of stress and debt, it seems like the whole system is for the few chosen ones and not for all..........just disappointed and depressed. I would never advise anyone to go to university as at the end of the day it all comes down to your contacts, just contacts and nothing else.

Hi,

I'm currently studying for an undergraduate cyber security degree in year 2. I recently attended a large company's recruitment fair and after having talked to the head of departments of various cyber related functions of that business, I understand that it is quite tough to get into cyber security profession because of fierce competition for the jobs. I was told by one of the top level managers that they normally look to hire people with strong technical skills even for the entry level positions along with a strong desire to learn and passion for the field.

It was quite disheartening to learn that after going through the course it does not prove the fact that the candidate is willing to learn or passionate about the field. Also, one of the people there mentioned that he was given job at the company as he knew someone at the company so they had to create a job for him and it was advertised just for him to get him in, which was quite shocking as the job didn't exist according to what he said and they took him on just because of his contact. Don't understand how some people can get jobs so easily while others just struggle and struggle with no end in sight.

It feels like there's no opportunities in this field for me as I contacted two managerial level people for work experience and they both never replied back. I applied for a year long internship which I have been rejected by the company and waiting to hear a reply back from another firm I applied for the internship, which would be another rejection most likely as there was only four positions with the firm and probably the whole faculty applied for it.

So there is no placements or internship and work experience opportunities for me and it seems like the chances to get employment in cyber especially without work experience are quite slim and bleak. i don't know who to speak to as university is absolutely worthless in helping to find employment/placements, no one seems to help me in this regard despite of getting good grades so far. It's getting more and more clearer that it's who you know and not what you know, which is a corrupt, unfair and bad practice. Absolutely regret going to university and putting myself through a lot of stress and debt, it seems like the whole system is for the few chosen ones and not for all..........just disappointed and depressed. I would never advise anyone to go to university as at the end of the day it all comes down to your contacts, just contacts and nothing else.

Fairly sure the MoD and other gov departments have good things going for cybersecurity. I'm looking to study Maths & CompSci at uni and then move onto work in a government ministry, as my dad (who is a civil servant) said it's a good career.

Hi

I'm sorry that you feel like this. It hurts when you see opportunities go to others that you don't feel truly deserve it.

Generally cyber security is very difficult to break into at entry level. A lot of jobs seem to go to internal candidates. So it may be a case of having to do a job that you're not necessarily interested in , perhaps service desk or software, which may lead to a security role.
In my software developer role, I ended up working on a project that was basically auditing all the protective monitoring systems for GPG13. Plus security underpins all of our jobs.

I hope this helps

Hi mate. I just typed a long reply and then lost it as I wasn’t signed in! If this is still a concern and you want to discuss this please feel free to message me.

Hi,

I'm currently studying for an undergraduate cyber security degree in year 2. I recently attended a large company's recruitment fair and after having talked to the head of departments of various cyber related functions of that business, I understand that it is quite tough to get into cyber security profession because of fierce competition for the jobs. I was told by one of the top level managers that they normally look to hire people with strong technical skills even for the entry level positions along with a strong desire to learn and passion for the field.

It was quite disheartening to learn that after going through the course it does not prove the fact that the candidate is willing to learn or passionate about the field. Also, one of the people there mentioned that he was given job at the company as he knew someone at the company so they had to create a job for him and it was advertised just for him to get him in, which was quite shocking as the job didn't exist according to what he said and they took him on just because of his contact. Don't understand how some people can get jobs so easily while others just struggle and struggle with no end in sight.

It feels like there's no opportunities in this field for me as I contacted two managerial level people for work experience and they both never replied back. I applied for a year long internship which I have been rejected by the company and waiting to hear a reply back from another firm I applied for the internship, which would be another rejection most likely as there was only four positions with the firm and probably the whole faculty applied for it.

So there is no placements or internship and work experience opportunities for me and it seems like the chances to get employment in cyber especially without work experience are quite slim and bleak. i don't know who to speak to as university is absolutely worthless in helping to find employment/placements, no one seems to help me in this regard despite of getting good grades so far. It's getting more and more clearer that it's who you know and not what you know, which is a corrupt, unfair and bad practice. Absolutely regret going to university and putting myself through a lot of stress and debt, it seems like the whole system is for the few chosen ones and not for all..........just disappointed and depressed. I would never advise anyone to go to university as at the end of the day it all comes down to your contacts, just contacts and nothing else.