Cybersecurity Degree then Royal Marines?

Hi all,

I want to go and study Cybersecurity next year at University, however after my 4 years undergraduate I'm planning on joining the Royal Marines as an Officer.

I am aware that these are two very unrelated career paths however after the Marines (5 ish years in my mind) I would want to use my degree to work in the Cybersecurity industry. I am worried however that my time in the Marines will negatively affected my employment oppurtunities as it doesn't have anything to do with Cybersecurity and employers will feel I've been out the field to long or something.

I was just wondering what peoples opinions were on the subject. I'm very passionate about both of them and would really struggle choosing betweeen the two, so I'm hoping someone could provide some insight.

Thanks in advance.

Reply 1

username5383500

18

I can't comment on the Marines specifically, but the military in general has cyber capabilities. I graduated from a Cyber Security degree, but did my industry placement year with the Army in a cyber role. It wasn't actually that good, but the career paths don't have to be wholly unrelated. There is certainly overlap if that's what you want to do.

Outside that, it won't necessarily have a negative impact, but it's not really going to have a positive impact either. You're not going to be considerd "out of the field", given you won't have actually had a relevant job. But a substantial gap isn't going to look good when you go applying for graduate jobs. If you absolutely wanted to do both, I'd maybe consider the Marines first, and then doing your degree after (or even during if that's something they'll help out with).

Reply 2

username5447420

11

Original post by John Ruadh

Hi all,

I want to go and study Cybersecurity next year at University, however after my 4 years undergraduate I'm planning on joining the Royal Marines as an Officer.

I am aware that these are two very unrelated career paths however after the Marines (5 ish years in my mind) I would want to use my degree to work in the Cybersecurity industry. I am worried however that my time in the Marines will negatively affected my employment oppurtunities as it doesn't have anything to do with Cybersecurity and employers will feel I've been out the field to long or something.

I was just wondering what peoples opinions were on the subject. I'm very passionate about both of them and would really struggle choosing betweeen the two, so I'm hoping someone could provide some insight.

Thanks in advance.

In the royal marines after 2 years a marine can specialise in several different "commando roles" one of these is "Royal Marines Information System Specialist" If you are planning on becoming an officer you may be able to request that you work alongside these Marines and command them, This will give you at least some similar work experience to what you may be doing in the cybersecurity world and even greater benefit you if you plan to go into cybersecurity for the military vendors I.E BAE SYSTEMS, THALES, LOCKHEED etc .

If I was you, I'd study for a CCNA and then a CCNP in security whilst working for the marines and also find out what you want to do AFTER you finish being a marine, then you can take certifications that will pertain to the role you want to do.

Reply 3

AW_1983

15

Original post by John Ruadh

Hi all,

I want to go and study Cybersecurity next year at University, however after my 4 years undergraduate I'm planning on joining the Royal Marines as an Officer.

I am aware that these are two very unrelated career paths however after the Marines (5 ish years in my mind) I would want to use my degree to work in the Cybersecurity industry. I am worried however that my time in the Marines will negatively affected my employment oppurtunities as it doesn't have anything to do with Cybersecurity and employers will feel I've been out the field to long or something.

I was just wondering what peoples opinions were on the subject. I'm very passionate about both of them and would really struggle choosing betweeen the two, so I'm hoping someone could provide some insight.

Thanks in advance.

A graduate in Cyber Security with five years or so gaining some top quality training in leadership and management? You'll be fine. I work for a major US bank and my employer would come crawling on their knees to hire someone like that.

Also, you'll have plenty of opportunity to work in cyber in the military.

Cybersecurity Degree then Royal Marines?

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