Over the years, the cybersecurity industry has experienced a large talent gap and the main reason behind this is because organizations preferred to hire entry-level applicants with experience, certifications, and degrees.
The reality however is that applicants with any degree can acquire the certification and experience when working on the cybersecurity job.
Maybe now, you are thinking that you need a bachelor’s degree to succeed in the field. The truth is that you don’t. Anyone and everybody have the opportunity to become a cybersecurity expert with the right experience, training, and skill set. Pursuing a certification for advancement can also assure you of reaching a top-level cybersecurity management role.
In this article, we would like to share and help you to better understand the difference between learning cybersecurity through a boot camp and from a bachelor’s degree. Hopefully, this discussion will be able to answer your questions and motivate you to start a career in cybersecurity.
Cybersecurity Bootcamp and Bachelor’s Degree
The difference between these two is that Bootcamp provides their trainee practical and conceptual learning experience, while a bachelor’s degree leans more on the theoretical knowledge of the field. Both however can benefit your credentials when looking for a job.
We will go on by digging deeper between the differences so that we can see the clear points that will help you decide which is a better start-up point.
Take note that if you pursue a career by taking up a bachelor’s degree you can continue to strengthen your knowledge and skills through a specialized Bootcamp in your chosen cybersecurity expertise. This can be applied to the same thing with Bootcamp and taking up a bachelor’s degree. Doing so will prove to your employer your dedication to learning more about your profession.
Here are some of the things that you also need to consider.
Invested Time
Compared to a Bootcamp, taking up a bachelor’s degree will take longer to accomplish.
For a student to finish a whole course in time will normally take about four years. During that time, you can’t earn from the course, aside from taking up side jobs.
For a trainee to finish a Bootcamp will usually take up four to six months. In addition, if you have the basic background, knowledge, or experience, it might open job opportunities along the process.
Funding
Aside from the time taking up a bachelor’s degree course, having to learn from an institution requires high financial investments. The average cost of an IT bachelor’s degree course for four years will not go below $400,000 and you will only learn theory-based knowledge. We don’t want to confuse you, a degree would look good in your credentials, however, it will take more practical or applied experiences to catch the attention of your employer.
Registering to a Bootcamp will cost you an estimate of $15,000 or more. The price differs from the host or company that gives the Bootcamp, cybersecurity certifications, field of expertise, and the length of the training.
Investment Return
A cybersecurity degree will take much time and money, but it will introduce you to emerging technologies and management practices. Where in Bootcamp, at a fair price you can get both theoretical and applied knowledge and skills.
Nevertheless, taking up a degree surely benefits your credentials but would still not suffice for what is needed by your employer. A Bootcamp can provide both and assures you a high chance of getting a job.
Career Opportunity
Whether you had Bootcamp training or had accomplished a bachelor’s degree in IT or cybersecurity, organizations and employers will look at your potential based on your accomplished certification, career description, and experience. But if you have the opportunity to get a bachelor’s degree, it would be to your advantage as well.
Learning cybersecurity has been made easy with RCyberSolutions, we have courses and certifications that are available for everyone through our online education program.
