Job Prospects...

Vita

Vita

Vita

Soldato
Joined
26 Mar 2006
Posts
11,648
Location
United Kingdom
Hey all,

I need some advice, I'm going to go into my 3rd/Final year of Uni, I'm studying Bsc Computer Forensics. I haven't ever had a job, apart from a paper round when I was a teenager. I don't know where to start, should I look around now?

I was thinking about doing a placement year to gain experience but parents rather have me finish Uni.

I was thinking about going into the E-Crime/Fraud area, but I'm just so confused on where to apply for a first job? What should I do?

Thanks in advance.
 
To be honest I have friends in this and theres very little work. The police force is cutting budgets and computer forensics is one. Its a ver specific marketwhich at the moment is not doing very well.

I carry on with uni if you wish to do crime fraud etc. If not look for placements in any company offering them to build experience.
 
matthab said:
To be honest I have friends in this and theres very little work. The police force is cutting budgets and computer forensics is one. Its a ver specific marketwhich at the moment is not doing very well.

I carry on with uni if you wish to do crime fraud etc. If not look for placements in any company offering them to build experience.
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Where have you heard this? I've just come out of university and Landed a job in Computer Forensics (starting soon). E-crime at the moment is rising faster than ever creating more jobs along the way. The police force may be cutting budgets, but its also the worst place to work in this industry.

To the OP, which uni did you go to? Have you had a decent amount of Encase/FTK tuition? The main problem with Computer Forensics is that even with a degree your relatively useless without experience in the above mentioned programs. I think a placement is a very good idea, but you'd be hard placed to get one.

There's a wealth of information on getting Computer Forensics jobs. Many useful forums are just a google away :)
 
DavidB said:
Where have you heard this? I've just come out of university and Landed a job in Computer Forensics (starting soon). E-crime at the moment is rising faster than ever creating more jobs along the way. The police force may be cutting budgets, but its also the worst place to work in this industry.

To the OP, which uni did you go to? Have you had a decent amount of Encase/FTK tuition? The main problem with Computer Forensics is that even with a degree your relatively useless without experience in the above mentioned programs. I think a placement is a very good idea, but you'd be hard placed to get one.

There's a wealth of information on getting Computer Forensics jobs. Many useful forums are just a google away :)
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I'm going into my final year of uni in September, at Leeds met. We've had loads of FTK tutiton, and some Encase, but I've been studying Encase myself from net/books, so have some experience. It's too late for placements so I'm just going to finish the year.

I'm just thinking would it be best to get into contact with some companies now? I don't want to come out with a degree and then not find work, totally confused on this matter.
 
Vita said:
I'm going into my final year of uni in September, at Leeds met. We've had loads of FTK tutiton, and some Encase, but I've been studying Encase myself from net/books, so have some experience. It's too late for placements so I'm just going to finish the year.

I'm just thinking would it be best to get into contact with some companies now? I don't want to come out with a degree and then not find work, totally confused on this matter.
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Obviously any work experience will be beneficial, just to show that your willing to get off your arse and work, but getting relevant work experience wouldn't be easy. From what I've seen of the E-crime industry one of the key things they want to see from candidates is a passion for the subject , so anything to evidence this would help.

There's a few "Security Challenge" type things starting up in September that might be good (Online on the BBC somewhere). Security / E-crime conferences that you can talk your way into are also a great method of Networking (I managed to go to the E-crime Wales Summit, which was a brilliant networking opportunity) and can potentially lead the way to jobs.

Contacting companies might be good, but don't be disheartened when you don't receive a response. I've been told they can receive thousands of e-mails a week even at the smallest of companies.

Even though you've had relevant experience on your course you probably wont be allowed to do much before attending a official FTK/ Encase training event, this will cost employers thousands of pounds so employers (particularly small companies) are very choosy.
 
Cheers for the replies guys, yeah I think a part time job is a must now. Just difficult finding one. Wish I hadn't left looking for work this late, my fault. :(
 
It's not difficult finding one, there's a huge amount of opportunities, especially leading up to Christmas. You just need to be prepared to work in lower paid positions in crappy industries.
 
How about creating a website listing your capabilities and saying you are looking for work?

Do you think there would be the possibility of remote working for some of these companies? Just a thought.

In principal, I would say if you want a job as soon as you leave Uni, I would start sending letters and CVs out. Early bird catches the worm and all that. I would send letters rather than e-mails, they get through better.

Just my owns thoughts / opinions, not necessarily tried and tested, I'm self employed!

Rgds
 
radderfire said:
How about creating a website listing your capabilities and saying you are looking for work?

Do you think there would be the possibility of remote working for some of these companies? Just a thought.

In principal, I would say if you want a job as soon as you leave Uni, I would start sending letters and CVs out. Early bird catches the worm and all that. I would send letters rather than e-mails, they get through better.

Just my owns thoughts / opinions, not necessarily tried and tested, I'm self employed!

Rgds
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Yeah that's what I'm thinking, I'm going to see what my Uni timetable is like, then speak to Careers aswell. There's voluntary admin work going on in the advice centre near to where I live, so I might apply there, depending on my uni time table.

It is a difficult industry to get into, I wouldn't mind working for the police tbh.
 
The other thing you could do is create a website about computer forensics, with tutorials, links to good resources etc etc, to get yourself known. If your site was good enough, you could sell advertising on it.

Rgds
 
Interesting thread, I had considered computer forensics as a field I would be happy to go back into IT for but it seems like getting a job placement/experience might be difficult :D

I think there is hugely limited opportunity locally also, probably only the police force.
 
vonhelmet said:
Aye, it can be very lucrative, but wouldn't you be better looking for a legitimate job first?
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Yeah I am looking it's just, I don't want to go get a part time job in a supermarket, as it's not the field I want to go into after Uni. I'm looking for a part time job in the IT sector, but I guess it's not easy.

On the website Idea, good Idea! Definitely going to give that a shot. Maybe have a log of the work I've done on my course and how I've found it over the last 2 years. Very good idea.
 
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