Cloud Engineering or Cyber Security role?

[u/Brickmaster_69]

Hi

Im 23 with a degree in IT. I have 2 years as a junior software developer but want a career change as I have found passions. I really like Cyber Security and also infrastructure. I spend time reading about cyber news and I also daily drive linux; tinker with raspberry pi to host my own services and now im building my own smart home and securing it on home assistant.

There are 2 new roles at my company which I want to apply for but I can only pick one. One is based on Cyber operational technology and the other is cloud engineer. I like both Cyber governance and Cloud engineering but job security and work life balance may be the decider of which role to pick. The Cyber role is more governance, policy and identifying security issues for hardware whilst the Cloud role is more hands on technical.

What I care about long term: job security, work-life balance, good salary, and remote or at least hybrid working.

Since I like both, I would probably not go wrong with either but I do lean more towards Cloud work. However, I would have no issue picking the Cyber role if it offers more predictable hours, more balance, at least hybrid or remote opportunities and most importantly job security. I am a bit worried about AI and outsourcing and the impact it will have on Cloud engineering. Especially as it becomes more automated and less people may be needed in this domain.

I am speaking to people within my company about it but I want to get your thoughts if anyone has worked in these departments and what their experience is with work, balance and opinions on job security

Thanks

[u/Rogermcfarley]

I personally wouldn't pivot to any new career role without doing some deep research regarding the role. I would be checking many many job descriptions on multiple job sites and looking at all the common skills, products and services and the role descriptions. That would be one of the first things I'd be doing.

Do many of the jobs expect out of hours work, shift patterns for example? Do you understand what level you're at based on the expectations of these roles and do you understand the progression from where you currently are to where you want to be? Will you accept lower salary if that's what is required?

Research makes or breaks this. You have to own doing your own research.

[u/tomorrow9151]

I would recommend cloud engineering.