What can you do with a Cyber-Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism degree?

First, some facts. Of the Cyber-Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 55 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Bad. Overall, with an average relevance score of 46%, Cyber-Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism graduates have a substantially lower likelihood (-21%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 46%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 12% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Cyber-Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Cyber-Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 59%

We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2019 from Norwich University with a Bachelor's degree in Cyber-Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Automotive Technician
Sloane Toyota
Jun 2019 - Jun 2021
The role of an Automotive Technician does not require any knowledge or skills related to Cyber-Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism, making it unrelated to the Bachelor's degree.

CSOC Consultant
Security Risk Advisors
Jun 2021 - Mar 2024
As a CSOC Consultant, the position directly involves skills and knowledge in cybersecurity and counterterrorism, utilizing expertise gained from the Bachelor's degree on a daily basis.

Senior Consultant
Security Risk Advisors
Apr 2024 - Jun 2024
The role of a Senior Consultant at Security Risk Advisors necessitates a strong foundation in cybersecurity and counterterrorism, which are core elements of the educational background, making it highly relevant.

ABOUT

Highly motivated, detail oriented individual with knowledge and interest in investigating and defending against cyber crime; knowledgeable in forensics and incident response; exposure to vulnerability assessment tools, penetration testing, and assembly language analysis.

What jobs can you get with a Cyber-Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism degree?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When looking at the career paths of individuals who have graduated with degrees in Cyber-Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism, it becomes clear that while some have found positions directly connected to their fields, many have ventured into roles with little to no direct relevance to their studies. A range of jobs has emerged among graduates, with positions such as Cybersecurity Analyst, Information Security Specialist, and Security Engineer being among the most relevant and specialized roles that closely align with their educational backgrounds.

However, this specialized group is contrasted by a significant portion of graduates who have taken on roles that primarily involve general IT support, management, or even unrelated fields like hospitality and retail. Jobs such as IT Specialist, Technical Support Engineer, and Network Operations positions may tap into some aspects of cybersecurity but often lack the depth of forensics or counterterrorism expertise. For instance, roles like Desktop Technician and Network Engineer mostly focus on general technical skills rather than diving into the complexities of cyber forensics or counterterrorism strategies. So, while certain technical roles hold relevance due to their nature of dealing with IT issues, they often do not fully utilize the unique skill sets these graduates cultivated during their studies.

It’s also interesting to note the variety of roles where graduates occupied positions that, while involving technology, were more aligned with other domains. Many graduates found themselves in entirely different professions such as chefs, customer service representatives, and management trainees—positions that largely deviate from the intended focus of their degrees. This divergence suggests either a mismatch between available job opportunities and graduate expectations or a choice made for reasons outside of direct academic application. Ultimately, while some graduates successfully leveraged their Cyber-Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism degrees into specialized careers, a substantial number opted, or were required, to navigate toward broader IT roles or unrelated fields altogether, revealing a varied landscape in this professional arena.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Cyber-Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Cyber-Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When taking a look at the career trajectories of graduates with a degree in Cyber-Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism, the picture can be quite varied. Many of these individuals start their careers in IT-related roles right after graduation, which makes sense given the technical nature of the field. For instance, someone who graduated from Western Governors University in 2019 landed a job as an IT Specialist shortly after graduation, which seems quite typical. Others pursue slightly different paths, like working as Desktop Technicians or Network Operations Center Engineers, showing that there's some flexibility in the initial roles they take on. However, it's clear that a fair number of graduates are starting in positions that are undoubtedly connected to technology, cybersecurity, or IT support roles.

Five to ten years down the line, many of these professionals have often moved on to more specialized or higher-level positions. For example, those who've started as Security Associates have advanced to roles such as Senior Consultants or Cloud Security Engineers, reflecting a common trend of growth within their field. However, not all graduates have the same degree of success. Some have found themselves in roles that don't seem to connect well with their degree or the field of cyber-computer forensics. For instance, a graduate from the University of Maryland University College, who initially worked as a Multisource Analyst, is still in a security-related role but it’s not the typical trajectory that aligns strictly with cybersecurity. On the contrary, graduates from universities like Utica College and Georgia Tech have progressed into prominent consulting roles, underscoring a promising pathway for certain individuals.

In summary, while there are many success stories of graduates stepping into relevant roles shortly after graduation and then advancing to impressive careers within cybersecurity and IT, there's also a noticeable number who end up in positions either not related to their field or in roles that might not utilize their skills honed during their studies. This suggests a mixed outcome overall, where some pursue gratifying and successful career paths while others might struggle to find their way within the industry. It highlights the importance of networking, continued education, and possibly seeking out internships that align closely with their degree to ensure they’re on a trajectory that maximizes their potential in the cyber-computer forensics domain.

How hard is a Cyber-Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism degree?

Honestly, a Bachelor's degree in Cyber-Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism can be pretty challenging, but it really depends on your strengths and interests. If you enjoy problem-solving, have a knack for technology, and aren't afraid of diving deep into subjects like cybersecurity, law, and digital investigations, you might find it more manageable. On the flip side, if you're not into math or computer science, it could feel overwhelming at times. Overall, it’s definitely on the tougher side of the spectrum, with a lot of technical and analytical work, so being prepared for some late-night study sessions might be key!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Cyber-Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism.

Do Cyber-Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism graduates tend to make good money?

Based on the info from LinkedIn, it seems like most of these graduates are on a pretty decent career path, especially if they're in the Cyber-Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism fields. Certain roles like Senior Security Consultants and Network Operations Specialists tend to pay pretty well, often exceeding $80,000 a year, which is a solid living compared to average salaries. However, there are a few entries that raise eyebrows, like the graduates working as chefs or in entry-level positions in retail, which might not pay as well compared to their degrees. Overall, many of these graduates seem to be earning a good salary, while some still have a bit of climbing to do to reach that financial comfort zone, especially if they started off in lower-paying roles.

In summary, while a lot of these folks seem to be cashing in on their education with decent to good salaries, there are definitely some who are just starting and might not be raking it in yet. If they're smart about gaining experience and moving up, they could find themselves in much better positions in just a couple of years. So, it's a mixed bag but leaning more towards the positive side for most.

What buzzwords do Cyber-Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Cyber-Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Cyber-Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Cyber-Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism (ordered by the average relevance score of their Cyber-Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count