When you are looking at a career that works with computer and information technology, there are a number of different niches that you can choose to ensure that you can have a rewarding career that will last you a long time. One of the best career choices that you can make is to pursue a Master’s degree in cybersecurity.
There are a lot of reasons why you should consider taking the leap into a master’s degree, rather than choosing just an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree for your needs. some of the awesome benefits that you could receive for earning your master’s degree in cybersecurity includes:
Provides Job Security
When you choose to get a master’s degree in cyber security, you will be able to gain job security. Cyber threats and all of the attacks are growing all the time and many of them are becoming more sophisticated than ever before. Because of this, the demand for professionals who work in cybersecurity is growing more than ever before.
It is estimated by Varonis that there will be a total of 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs by 2021. This means that a lot of companies will not be able to find some of the help that they need with these important tasks. And if you can step in with a good master’s degree to help out with those positions, you will be able to take any job you want.
Earn a Higher Salary
When you decide to take the jump to earning your master’s degree, you will be able to get a higher salary than others. In fact, cybersecurity is going to be one of the most highly compensated in the whole technology sector, posting a 9% salary premium over some of the other IT jobs that you could choose.
For example, the average annual salary for all cybersecurity jobs in the United States is currently just under $95,000 a year, and there are many that will provide a higher salary than that.
Even more, when you get your master’s degree, you will be able to go after some of the higher paying positions that may be available as well. The average salary for a Chief Information Security Officer, which would need a minimum of a master’s degree to get the job, is over $273,000 a year.
For those who would like to earn a good salary in the IT field, it makes sense to work hard to get a degree that would help you get there. A master’s degree in cybersecurity will be able to help you reach that goal.
Career Options are Growing
As you get into the field of cybersecurity, you will find that the options for the career that you can choose are growing much faster than what you would see with some of the other career choices out there. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the job market for these professionals is growing at a rate of 31% right now.
And while there are many job openings and opportunities in the field of cybersecurity, the education level that is needed to land one of these jobs can be high. Most employers would prefer the professional in these positions to have a graduate degree. With the right education and the right experience though, you will find that you have a world of opportunities to enjoy.
Once you get a degree in this field, you will be able to choose from a wide number of open positions to help you become successful. You can study in a specialty to help you gain more knowledge in the exact role you would like to take on, or you can learn a general overview of everything to open more doors as well.
Flexible Degree Programs to Choose From
You will also find that most master’s degrees for cybersecurity will be flexible, with the schedule of a working adult in mind. It is now possible to obtain a degree online so that you can still handle a full-time job and all of the obligations that come with your family as well. This makes it easier for cybersecurity professionals to get the degree that they need.
There are also some options to help you get the degree that you need. You can choose to go with a hybrid program or a degree that is completely online. This flexibility will help you to get all of the benefits of working on a master’s degree, without having to cut into your schedule as much as before.
Chance to Network
For anyone who would like to get the most out of the graduate program, you will need to take some time to network as well. Because graduate schools are able to attract a larger group of like-minded people who share similar interests, it is a great place for you to meet others in the industry who can guide you as you work on advancing in your career.
The connections that you are able to make in graduate school will serve you well. They will not only help you to complete your degree, but they can bring in new knowledge and insight to help when you are ready to be done with the degree and need to launch into your career with that degree.
Financial Incentives
Students who want to go into cybersecurity will find there are a number of financial incentives for them to enjoy as well. With this field needing professionals right away, many companies are providing some financial incentives to help encourage someone to go after this career. This can help to offset some of the costs of the degree while you prepare for an exciting career.
Choosing to Get Your Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity
There are a lot of great reasons to choose to pursue your master’s degree in cybersecurity. Take the time to look at some of the benefits above and see whether this is a career choice that makes a lot of sense for you.