💼 Future Career

Three roles I've got my sights on after I graduate

Security operations center

Cybersecurity Analyst

Various Organizations (Government, Healthcare, Finance)

Role 1

Salary

$124,910 median annual wage (BLS, May 2024)

Job Outlook

33% projected growth 2023–2033 (much faster than average)

Key Responsibilities:

  • Monitor an organization's networks and systems for security breaches or intrusions
  • Install and maintain security software such as firewalls and encryption programs
  • Conduct vulnerability testing and risk assessments to identify weak points in systems
  • Develop and implement security policies, procedures, and best practices
  • Investigate security alerts and incidents, documenting findings and response actions
  • Prepare reports on security status and present findings to management

This is probably the role I think about most. The demand is wild — the BLS says 33% growth over the next decade, which is way faster than most jobs out there. What I like about it is that you don't necessarily need a four-year degree to get started. With my AS from HCC and a CompTIA Security+ cert, I could land a junior analyst position and start building real-world experience while I finish my bachelor's.

Penetration Tester (Ethical Hacker)

CrowdStrike / Mandiant / Independent Consulting

Role 2

Salary

$106,480 median (BLS) — up to $150,000+ with experience

Job Outlook

Strong demand; specialized role within the broader cybersecurity field

Key Responsibilities:

  • Simulate cyberattacks on computer systems, networks, and applications to find vulnerabilities
  • Develop and execute penetration testing plans and methodologies
  • Write detailed reports documenting discovered vulnerabilities and remediation steps
  • Use tools such as Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap, and Wireshark for testing
  • Collaborate with development and IT teams to fix security weaknesses
  • Stay current with the latest attack techniques, exploits, and security trends

I won't lie — this is the role that first got me interested in cybersecurity. Getting paid to hack into systems and find weaknesses before the bad guys do? That's hard to beat. Most pen testers go for certs like CEH or OSCP, and the earning potential is solid. Senior testers and consultants can pull in well over $150K a year. The idea of thinking like an attacker to help defend people is what draws me to this career the most.

Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst

IBM Security / Palo Alto Networks / Managed Security Service Providers

Role 3

Salary

$90,000–$102,000 average annual salary

Job Outlook

High demand due to 24/7 security monitoring needs

Key Responsibilities:

  • Monitor security information and event management (SIEM) systems around the clock
  • Analyze and triage security alerts to determine severity and respond accordingly
  • Investigate potential security incidents and escalate critical threats
  • Maintain and tune intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS)
  • Document incidents and create reports for compliance and management review
  • Work in shifts to provide continuous security monitoring for the organization

A SOC analyst role is a great way to break into the industry right out of school. You're basically the front line — watching screens, triaging alerts, and figuring out which ones are real threats versus false alarms. It can be intense since many SOCs run 24/7, but the hands-on experience you get with enterprise security tools is invaluable. A lot of people use this role as a stepping stone into incident response or security engineering within a few years.