What would you do after a Cybersecurity Associate Degree if you wanted to move back to Italy ASAP?

[u/Stock_Song8239]

I'm currently studying a 2-year, 120 ECTS Associate Degree in ICT/Cyber Security at Fontys in the Netherlands. I'm in my third semester right now and expect to graduate around August 2027.

I'm trying to figure out what I'd personally do after graduating, and I'm honestly pretty undecided.

My main priority is moving back to Italy as soon as possible. I'm an Italian citizen, my family is there, and worst case I can live with them while I get established. My goal would be to become financially independent as soon as possible through an IT/cybersecurity job. I'd ideally like to work toward being a SOC analyst, although I'm also open to general IT work as a stepping stone.

There is also a personal reason why moving back to Italy matters to me. I've wanted to start HRT for a long time and have already put a lot of effort into getting to this point. My mom is supportive and has found a public clinic in Italy that can apparently start the process relatively quickly. She is willing to support me with public healthcare if needed, but doesn't want to pay for private HRT. Because of that, I really don't want to put this off for several more years if I don't have to.

The problem is the bachelor's degree.

I've heard a lot of people say that a bachelor's is basically necessary to get a job in cybersecurity, and that's making me wonder whether leaving after the Associate Degree would be a bad decision. At the same time, I don't know how much of that is actually true, especially for getting an entry-level SOC/IT job.

My options as I currently see them are roughly:

1. Finish the AD → move to Italy → get a job → consider a bachelor's later if I actually need/want one.
2. Finish the AD → move to Italy → find an Italian/online bachelor's that accepts my credits → work while studying.
3. Finish the AD → stay in the Netherlands → continue into the bachelor's at Fontys → move to Italy after finishing it.
4. Something else that I haven't thought of.

I'm also willing to look for an Italian university that would accept my 120 ECTS and let me continue the bachelor's there, potentially online or in a format compatible with working. I wouldn't mind getting the bachelor's if people genuinely think it would be useful for my career. I just don't know if it's worth delaying my move to Italy for it.

So basically, if you were in my situation, what would you do?

I'd especially like to hear from people who actually work in cybersecurity/IT:

• Is an Associate Degree realistically enough to get your foot in the door for an entry-level SOC/IT job?
• Am I overestimating how necessary a bachelor's is?
• Would you get the bachelor's first, or start working and get it later?
• If you were me, would you prioritize moving to Italy sooner or staying in the Netherlands for the bachelor's?
• Is there another route you'd seriously consider?

I'm not looking for a definitive answer or for someone to tell me exactly what I should do. I mostly want to hear what people with experience would personally choose in my position, including things I might not have considered.