u/ReasonableTennis1089

Im a community college student who's trying to figure out whether I should pursue information systems, information systems with a stats minor or comp sci.

Id like to work at fincen or any organization that investigates and analyzes data to fight against human trafficking, money laundering or general evil. What iv found when researching orgs is that a lot of times these are all involved with eqchother in the real world.

The info sys degree is from umbc in question is very technical and falls within the computer engineerjng department. There's a graphic somewhere that showed that apparently a majority of the IS graduates actually went into swe. Obviously this graphic is dated and might even be marketing. What im trying to signal is that this is a technical IS degree that is somewhat close to cs.

Whats going to be the best signal for me is how I react to my next few classes. I have 30 credits of general credits and iv just started to take programming classes. Programming can feel tedious at times in terms of repating and setting up if else chains and making sure all my braces are in the right place. But its feels pretty satisfying. Its like a puzzle where you have to juggle all the prices and ensure that they all fit into eacother properly. I do think im having fun.

Im really excited for when I can start going to hackathons and kaggle comps. In terms of math iv never really enjoyed it that much. Iv never really enjoyed math but iv never had a reason to. Iv always seen it as a chore. If I have time im gonna start self studying on how it can help be analyze data better and thats basically why im revisitng it.

I understand that cs pushes me towards math more aswell as being someone who makes tech that other people use as opposed to being an anyst who uses tech to find insights. The comp sci major has a data science track aswell as a nationally recognized cyber track. I havent taken any IT, network or hardware classes yet maybe those will.help me understand if id like to pursue cyber. Although im not that interested in the skill upkeep it consists of.

How does math affect your capabilites as an analyst. Iv heard that if your interested in ML or regression you need linear algebra. Do any specific CS classes matter a lot for someone who wants to work as an analyst. What subjects of math are particularly important?

What helped you all make the decision? Did you regret it? Are there any nuances you've learned regarding programming, math and the job market.

Thanks I appreciate the info.

I was wondering if the shower stalls in la fitness had enough room to change in?

I take the bus home and dont really want to be super sweaty for that long.

Can i become an aml analyst with a bachelors in information systems.

The degree program has a lot of emphasis on technical stuff like sql and database classes. It has business classes and an it audit track that involves accounting and more business compliance classes.

Has anybody from a data analyst background pivoted into aml?

Does anybody have any sort of advice for somebody who wants to work as someone who uses tech to be an investigstive analyst as opposed to someone who builds tech. Id like to work for Fincen. Chainanalysis or TRM labs maybe even hsi to fight human trafficking. From my research the common denominator among the roles im looking at is advanced tooling regarding things like sql and other various programs. This isnt a mission or niche id be able to get in right out of undergrad so im gonna have to work towards something more entryblevel first. I was thinking tech risk analysis. I live in maryland so there's a big deman for federal jobs. Biggest employers of my majornhave been booz allen hsmiltion Lockheed. Its a technical information systems program that will let me take tracks in things like business analysis, cyber informatics, IT auditing and other niches more related to IT.

Wondering if anybody else has gone down this analyst path through information systems.

My next step in terms of research is reaching out to ppl who have worked as these sorts of investigative analyst.

Gonna pursue information systems at umbc. The program has an it auditing track that prepares for Cisa. Is it worth pursuing. My idea was to pursuing tooling in terms of sql,python power bi and the other stuff that a business anyst needs aswell as it auditing.

Does anybody have any sort of advice for somebody who wants to work as someone who uses tech to be an investigstive analyst as opposed to someone who builds tech. Id like to work for Fincen. Chainanalysis or TRM labs maybe even hsi to fight human trafficking. From my research the common denominator among the roles im looking at is advanced tooling regarding things like sql and other various programs. This isnt a mission or niche id be able to get in right out of undergrad so im gonna have to work towards something more entryblevel first. I was thinking tech risk analysis. I live in maryland so there's a big deman for federal jobs. Biggest employers of my majornhave been booz allen hsmiltion Lockheed. Its a technical information systems program that will let me take tracks in things like business analysis, cyber informatics, IT auditing and other niches more related to IT.

Wondering if anybody else has gone down this analyst path through information systems.

My next step in terms of research is reaching out to ppl who have worked as these sorts of investigative analyst.

Gonna pursue information systems at umbc. The program has an it auditing track that prepares for Cisa. Is it worth pursuing. My idea was to pursuing tooling in terms of sql,python power bi and the other stuff that a business anyst needs aswell as it auditing.

All my classes are dl web but all my friends went to their 4 years. I switched majors thats why im still at mc.

Anybody know when club rush is. I heard its at the end of September. Is there anything before club rush?

Should I just go up to ppl and start holding hands 🤔?

I’m 21, returning to community college, and planning to transfer into UMBC’s B.S. in Information Systems program. I’m trying to be intentional about what I do while I’m there instead of graduating with a general degree, random certs, and no clear story about what kind of role I’m qualified for. 

I live in Maryland and am mainly looking at the DMV job market. From what I can tell there seems to be a lot of work connected to government contracting, healthcare, consulting, cybersecurity, cloud compliance, IT risk, and some finance-related companies. UMBC’s outcome information also makes it seem like IS graduates go into roles such as software engineering, consulting, IT specialist, business analyst, DevOps, and systems engineering, with companies such as Northrop Grumman, Booz Allen, Accenture Federal Services, T. Rowe Price, Deloitte, Leidos, AWS, Exelon, and CareFirst showing up among employers. I know schools are marketing themselves and tbhI am not sure how much I should trust those numbers versus what the actual entry-level market is like. 

The main thing I need help with is understanding the differences between career paths that sound similar from the outside. I am interested in cybersecurity, analytics, IT audit, GRC, technology risk, and possibly financial-crimes or fraud analysis later on. But I do not completely understand the nuances yet. For example I constantly see people say cybersecurity is not really entry level and that many people need IT, networking, systems administration, help-desk, or infrastructure experience before they can get a security role. I do not want to spend years assuming a cybersecurity certificate automatically leads to a cybersecurity job if that is not how hiring actually works.

The Information Systems degree looks really cool to me because it seems broad enough to cover databases, programming, networking, systems analysis, business, statistics, and decision support. I like technology, but I also like the business and organizational side of it. I could see myself enjoying a role where I am using data to solve problems, helping a company understand risks, evaluating controls, documenting processes, or translating between technical teams and business stakeholders. A lot of the graduates of this degree actually do go on to become software engineers or consultants and a bunch of stuff in between. This seems like a degree that will introduce me to tolls that will help me work as an analyst in many different industries. 

Right now, I am leaning toward a combination of business analytics and IT audit/GRC or technology risk. The jobs that sound most interesting to me are business analyst, data analyst, BI or reporting analyst, technology-risk analyst, GRC analyst, IT auditor, security-compliance analyst, internal audit analyst, third-party-risk analyst, or risk-and-controls consultant. I am not necessarily trying to become a penetration tester, SOC analyst, or security engineer, although I am open to hearing if I am misunderstanding the entry-level opportunities.

I also have no work experience and right now am just trying to figure out what jobs I'm most likely to get after graduating in 4 years. Also to be fair I don’t fully understand the roles I just named outside of business analytics and IT auditing. THeyre just titles that come up when I look up what jobs in the dmv does UMBC IS qualify me for. 

UMBC lets students complete only two upper-level certificates without extending their time in school, so I am trying to choose the two that give me the best return. The Business Analytics Certificate seems useful because it includes tools and skills such as Python, Tableau, R, Weka, data analysis, visualization, and business decision-making. I have already told an IS advisor that I am interested in learning how to turn data into insight, whether that eventually means data analytics, business analysis, risk analysis, or something similar. My impression is that analytics skills could support a lot of roles, especially when combined with SQL, Excel, Python, dashboards, communication, and a basic understanding of how businesses operate.[informationsystems.umbc informationsystems.umbc

This tooling is actually what made me want to pursue this program. I don’t know enough about the world to decide what is like to do in it but this program gives me the tools to explore it more. Almost all the degrees and roles I've been looking at involve sql and excel to a certain degree. 

The other certificate I am seriously considering is Auditing for Information Systems. It combines information systems with security, accounting, auditing, law, ethics, and controls.. UMBC describes the certificate as preparation for entry-level IT-audit work and for an information-systems-auditor certification path.[informationsystems.umbc]

I have heard people describe IT audit, GRC, and technology risk as more stable than some other tech paths because companies still have compliance requirements, security obligations, contracts, regulations, audits, and internal controls to manage. I do not think that means the field is “AI-proof” easy, or noncompetitive. I mainly see it as a path where human judgment, communication, documentation, accountability, and understanding business processes may remain important even as AI changes parts of the work. Is IT audit more ai resistant or recession resistant? Please feel free to disagree. 

The other option is UMBC’s Cybersecurity Informatics Certificate. A lot of IS students seem to choose it, and it includes cybersecurity analytics, software security, projects or internships, and electives related to information security, networking, data mining, systems administration, and AI. It seems like a legitimate option, but I am considering doing the Business Analytics and IT Audit certificates instead and earning CompTIA Security+ on my own.[informationsystems.umbc][umbc]

My logic is that Security+ may be easier for employers to recognize, especially in the government-contractor and DoD-adjacent environment around Maryland, DC, and Virginia. I understand that its actual value depends on the job and employer, but it seems like a useful baseline certification for many security-related roles. At the same time, the IT Audit certificate already includes an information-security component, while the Business Analytics certificate could give me data skills that apply not only to analytics but also to risk, compliance, fraud, governance, and security-related analysis.[secuspark   training.totalcyber

My plan is to complete the IS degree, pursue the Business Analytics Certificate and Auditing for Information Systems Certificate, earn Security+ before graduation, improve my SQL, Excel, Python, Tableau or Power BI, data visualization, writing, and presentation skills, and build a portfolio that makes sense for the path I choose. I would like to include a data-analysis project, a dashboard or reporting project, and maybe a mock IT-audit or GRC project such as a risk register, access-review workpaper, vendor-risk assessment, controls matrix, or NIST-style security assessment. I also plan to apply broadly for internships and student roles rather than waiting for a job with “cybersecurity” in the title. 

Another thing does it make sense to prolong my time in my undergrad until I have a competitive portfolio. I say this because I’m assuming internships and co-ops are easier to get than full time offers. And if I graduate without them I’m in a very dire position

I would really appreciate honest advice from people in the Maryland/DC/Virginia market, especially people who work in analytics, cybersecurity, IT audit, consulting, GRC, compliance, or technology risk. Does Business Analytics plus IT Audit plus Security+ sound like a coherent profile, or does it look too unfocused to emplyers? If I am interested in GRC, IT risk, security compliance, audit, and technology consulting, would the Cybersecurity Informatics Certificate add more value than Security+ or would it mostly overlap? Is IT audit or GRC actually realistic as an entry-level path for an IS graduate, or would I still need to start in a help desk, accounting, systems administration, or some other role first?

I am also curis which two UMBC certificates people would choose if the goal was employment shortly after graduation. Would you choose Business Analytics and IT Audit, Business Analytics and Cybersecurity Informatics, or IT Audit and Cybersecurity Informatics? I am not expecting anyone to tell me there is a guaranteed career path or an AI-proof job. I just want to choose a direction where I can build useful skills, get relevant experience, and graduate with a profile that is easy for an employer to understand.

The current job market feels really despairing and I have so much that I wan’t to achieve. I really like the idea of working for as an analyst who uses tech to solve problems and make decisions. I feel like this degree would set me up with a lot of career flexibility.

My dad wants me to major in accounting or engineering but I don’t really want to work on financial statements or physical systems. I want to make assessments and decisions based on data. Iv been struggling with a lot of stuff these past few years and I don’t have a choice but to decide here and now. Life moves really really fast. Im gonna be off my parents insurance and I don’t have the best home life. I’m really scared of graduating with a degree that won’t give me employment leverage and i’m really scared of staying where I am now. I feel like im behind. Most of my friends from highschool are graduating right now and I’m just getting started. I know this mentality isn’t the best but i just dk what to do. 

Id appreciate any advice, thanks.

Id like to get a degree in IS but my dad is against me getting the degree. He wants me to go into accounting or engineering.

I like is because it gives me the choice as to whether ill pursue something in IT infrastructure or something closer to business analysis.

I dont have enough work experience to truly know whether id like to commit to any of these niches but I like the idea of gaining insight from data.

Somebody else on this sub asked the question already but didnt get thst many responses.

I think accounting and engineering would technically be easier to get an entry level job in, the tradeoff is thst im less interested in them and engineering is much harder. I failed calc 2 and decided not to pursue industrial engineering.

I live in maryland

Id like to get a degree in IS but my dad is against me getting the degree. He wants me to go into accounting or engineering.

I like is because it gives me the choice as to whether ill pursue something in IT infrastructure or something closer to business analysis.

I dont have enough work experience to truly know whether id like to commit to any of these niches but I like the idea of gaining insight from data.

Somebody else on this sub asked the question already but didnt get thst many responses.

I think accounting and engineering would technically be easier to get an entry level job in, the tradeoff is thst im less interested in them and engineering is much harder. I failed calc 2 and decided not to pursue industrial engineering.

Dam I guess we aren't getting an adaptation.

Was wondering if anybody had any anime recs similar to the boxer.

I dont really knoe of any that are super dark but also have cool fight scenes. Gangsta kinda comes to mind.

Im currently a sophomore at community college and im not in a actual IS curriculm. Id like to get an idea on what roles and careers favor people with information systems backgrounds. I know that information systems degrees differ a lot so ill give you a summary:

The UMBC Information Systems (IS) Bachelor of Science degree requires 65 credits explicitly dedicated to the major, which are strategically divided into distinct foundational and advanced technical niches. [1, 2, 3]

Programming & Systems Logic: Consists of 2 classes (6 credits) covering basic and intermediate software engineering, mapping to courses like IS 147 and IS 247. [, 2]

Core Information Systems: Features 7 classes (21 credits) focused heavily on database design (IS 410), management information systems (IS 300), and hardware/software architectures. [1]

Networking & Analytics Infrastructure: Spans 3 classes (9 credits) that deep-dive into decision support systems and a robust two-course data communications sequence (IS 450 and IS 451). [1]

Mathematics & Quantitative Sciences: Requires 3 classes (10 credits) encompassing applied calculus (MATH 155), finite math (MATH 215), and applied business statistics (STAT 351). [, 2]

Administrative & Business Science: Comprises 5 classes (15 credits) that integrate management theory (MGMT 210), macro/microeconomics (ECON 101/102), and financial accounting principles to ground your tech skills in organizational needs. [1, 2]

Upper-Level Electives: Demands 2 classes (6 credits) from specialized 400-level tracks where you can tailor your niche expertise into fields like Cybersecurity Informatics, Artificial Intelligence, or Health IT. [1, 2, 3]

Im guessing there honestly is no straight answer as my strengths, passions and interest will dictate my capabilites and what I would be competitive for.

Id appreciate any insight on how people found out what they enjoyed in this field.

What attracted me to this field in the first place was how it was a mix of everything.

CONTEXT:I posted this on the true ugly women subreddit but im pretty sure they are gonna take it down cause im a guy.

Im somewhat of a chud myself 😉

Im a guy and id say im a solid 5 iv been on this sub for a few minutes and I feel really bad for you guys. The system that we live in is really unfair. I hope that all of you can someday become happy.

As a dude all of my problems with society stemmed from anxiety but I always felt like I had leverage. To put this in perspective I used to have really bad acne all over my cheeks and when I went on tretinoin it turned my face red and purple. I went on clyndamcin and doxycylcone and it has helped a lot. But even when I was chopped I had leverage and could communicate with other guys. With dudes in some circles how aggressive you are and how witty you are supersede everything. Even when I was more chopped I had access to people and honestly if I had reached out and socialized more I would have gotten over my anxiety faster. I was objectively hard to look at once or twice. But even then I remember feeling so surprised that people still wanted to be around me.

Iv still observed a gap or disparity in how people are treated based on their appearance. I was wondering if anybody of you have been successful with being around people i guess. How have you compensated for the discrimination. Do you have to agree with others more or find yourself needing to label others more. Iv mentioned aggression and wit being really common in circles of guys.

Im asking this because I dont like the circles of guys iv been around and the people who id rather be around dont want me around. Iv only been aggresive in response to aggression but its a game that gets boring really quick and iv found it attracts really spiteful people.

To be fair there's a chance that I simply dont fit the narrative for the people I want to be around.

I think dressing good is a non negotiable and is probably a part of the reason im struggling to make friends.

Sorry for the rant. Id just like you all to know that you have value as an individual and just because society incapable of seeing your beauty thst doesnt mean it doesnt exist

I meet a lot of weirdos in this game who are really rascist or just freak out at the smallest thing. Like whispering for 10 min after dying.

At the same time I meet a lot of nice people who are genuinely kind.

Wish they moderated the servers more feel like this game attracts a lot of basement dwellers.

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Iv been looking into what cyberescurtity roles introduces you to different systems so that ill have a better idea of what id like to pursue. Im planning to pursue a bs in. Information Systems. IS is a mix of business and it but i belive it qualifies me for most entitled level positions (the program is in the computer and engineering department)

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From what iv seen soc analysts interact with things like the infrastructure through reading logs and tracking things across firewalls. They watch or escalate things to digital forensics teams that dissect malware and software engineers push patches. Soc analysts might also write incident timeliness thst grcs use to update company policies.

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What id like to know if there are any other roles that are better at exposure than soc. Im well aware of the burnout and general suck of soc as it is the second thing that every creator and individual mentions which is why im hoping for alternatives.

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Would it be fair to say grc has similar amounts of exposure? I dont have any exposure to this aside from try hackmes pre security course.

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Id appreciate any advice thanks 👍

I was born in America and something that has always surprised me was Indians and Bangladeshis obsession with lighter skin tones. Whenever iv said something like most south asian people are brown they almost grt offended and start pulling whatever anecdotal evidence they csn find to prove that they can be lighter skinned.

Within the culture iv seen people face the same sort of discrimination. What's funny is in bangladeshi culture they seem to care more about color than shape.

I havent spoken to many Pakistani people about this but most of them seem lighter skinned. My parents are from bangladesh and have never talked down on me because of my color tho they are both lighter than me. Most of my cousins are a shade lighter too.

Im just amazed at how they seem to care more about skin color compared to any other physical fitness standards

In my experience iv seen both cases where either a brown man or brown women flourishes in america (i was born here). For thr most part the brown women ingrains herself in the culture more and has a lot of friends and community. Meanwhile the brown man does the same albeit a little differently. In order to be a social successful man in america you have to be somewhat aggressive. Like you have to be a bit quippy.

Iv heard that brown women are involved in more interracial relationships. I dont think this is a opportunity to hate on women. Iv heard conversations about race fetishist and about how brown women often times face the same sort of stigma as men. Its just they are also perceived with sexual value which is still wrong but its the patriarchal system we live in.

Im curious as to what kind of stigma or racism any brown women have faced specifically women eho were born in the USA, or UK or ABC.

I'm transferring to UMBC this fall to pursue a BS in Information Systems, and I'm trying to get a realistic picture of what cybersecurity roles I'd be competitive for — both entry-level and down the road.

UMBC's IS program has a NSA/DHS Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense designation, which I know matters for certain federal roles. I'm also stacking the Cybersecurity Informatics Certificate on top of the core degree.

Core IS coursework relevant to cyber:

IS 310 – Database Concepts and Applications

IS 350 – Fundamentals of Networking

IS 360 – Information Systems Security

IS 410 – Systems Analysis and Design

IS 426 – Information Systems Auditing

IS 450 – IT Project Management

IS 471 – Business Intelligence and Data Analytics

Cybersecurity Informatics Certificate courses:

IS 360 – Information Systems Security (core overlap)

IS 421 – Cybersecurity Policy and Management

IS 426 – Information Systems Auditing

IS 442 – Digital Forensics

IS 460 – Network Security

IS 478 – IS Internship (required for SFS eligibility)

My background/interests:

Leaning toward federal/government work (FinCEN, HSI, IRS-CI)

Interested in financial crime, OSINT, and fraud investigation more than traditional SOC/pen test roles

Building skills in Python, NetworkX, Neo4j, and graph analytics on financial data

CAE designation at UMBC opens doors for CyberCorps SFS scholarship which I'm eyeing

What I'm wondering:

What GS-series roles (or equivalents) would this curriculum qualify me for on USAJOBS?

Is IS closer to a GS-2210 IT track or does the financial crime angle push toward something like a GS-1811 (criminal investigator)?

How do hiring managers at federal agencies or contractors (Booz Allen, Leidos, etc.) view IS vs. CS for cyber roles?

Any cert recommendations to stack early — Security+, CySA+, or go straight for something more specialized?

Would really appreciate insight from anyone who's hired for these roles or gone through a similar path. Thanks.

Was just curious as to what were some professors o should avoid and which to look towards for classes and guidance.