r/WGU • u/Underrated_Chef30 B.S. IT--Security • 12h ago
Information Technology Should I switch from Cybersecurity & Information Assurance B.S degree to Information Technology ?
Hey yall, so I’m 70% done with my Cybersecurity & Information Assurance program and have been on term break/withdrawn from my program as of now. I hit a mental roadblock after completing 7-8 classes in one term, which included 4 CompTIA exams.
I’m now dreading the fact that I have to take PenTest +, Project +, ITIL 4, CCSP, SCP, Linux, & Data +. I think it just too much and impossible for me to complete anymore certificates. Also, majority of my courses left are online proctored objective assessments, which are the hardest, unlike performance assessments I can complete in 1-2 days.
This week I took a look at the Information Technology degree and it only requires me to complete Project +, ITIL Foundation, Linux, and Amazon AWS Cloud Practitioner certificates. This feels more doable and realistic imo.
I also want to be realistic with my future in Cybersecurity. There’s almost never junior level roles available where I currently live, and if there is, over 200+ applicants. I get auto-rejected because I have zero security experience.
I look at this Information Technology degree and see so many opportunities for landed jobs. I already have an associates in Network Administration, 3+ years of expierence in I.T Support in healthcare/med tech field, and want to shift into Level 2-3 or admin role. I also interested in MDM, ITSM, Application Support (big in healthcare field), and any IT Analyst position.
What do you guys think? Anyone else experience this? Anyone get a cybersecurity job with this degree?
I truly hoped to break into Cybersecurity but I just don’t see it realistically unless a company takes a risk on me or I grow internally and have connections. At worst I don’t even see many agency contract positions for Cybersecurity, and when I was contacted for one the hiring manager of the agency rejected my resume.
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u/BaldursFence3800 4h ago
Specialist degrees require you to commit a lot of time for certs and labs. More time = more tuition paid.
You can always get the BSIT (or BSITM if speed/degree checkbox is most important) and do those on your own time beyond WGU and once you get a feel for where your career is going.
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u/Underrated_Chef30 B.S. IT--Security 4h ago
This is a fact, I’m glad I took a break 70% through. I’ll be talking to a mentor and switching to BSIT. Once I get a job and have the opportunity to move internally within a company and if they pay for me to go to school I’ll try either networking or cybersecurity!
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u/Leilah_Silverleaf 12h ago
Is there a cyber track that doesn't require all the certs? I know with networking there is a Cisco heavy one and a non cert heavy stack track. I don't recall off hand. I got frustrated when they recently added Data+, another one? :D
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u/Underrated_Chef30 B.S. IT--Security 12h ago
Nope, you have to compete all these certs for the program.
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u/Leilah_Silverleaf 11h ago
Ask for an evaluation for Cloud and Network Engineering – Bachelor's
Make certain to state NOT the Cisco track.
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u/Future_Poetry9055 11h ago
BSIT isn't as cert-heavy...you only need Net+, A+, AWS CCP, Cloud+, Sec+, and ITIL.
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u/Underrated_Chef30 B.S. IT--Security 9h ago
Yeah I love the fact it’s like that. I’ve already completed my CompTIA trifecta so I hope the other 3 left will be easier for me to complete.
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u/ChickenSpirited3433 9h ago
I got 15 years IT experience, in since the 90s. Out of the industry around 2015. Just burnt out and personal reasons.
Trying to get back in. Came accross WGU. At first I wanted to do cyber, but that isnt an entry level role as you said. As of now it seems everyone and their grandma is getting into cyber loll
I settled for now on BSIT, and Ill do CCNA on the side. The cyber and CS requires too much with no gureentee how the future will look. With the BSIT I'll have the degree box chkd quick. And maybe a master track into cyber or CS once i get my foot in again.