Question:

I am a Master’s degree holder in Information Systems with 5 years of experience in a small MSP, where I handled various tasks from private cloud infrastructure to end-user support. I am looking for career advice as I am about to finish my current job in a few weeks. I am interested in Cybersecurity or network/systems administration roles, preferably in Ohio, US, with a salary range of around $70k. What are some suitable positions and employers for me in these fields? I appreciate any guidance from the experts.

Answer:

Career Advice for an Information Systems Master’s Degree Holder with 5 Years of Experience in a Small MSP

If you are looking for a career change or advancement in the fields of Cybersecurity or network/systems administration, you have a lot of options to consider. Your Master’s degree in Information Systems and your 5 years of experience in a small MSP are valuable assets that can open many doors for you. However, you may also face some challenges and competition in the job market, especially if you are looking for a specific location and salary range. In this article, we will provide some tips and suggestions on how to find and apply for suitable positions and employers for you in these fields.

Cybersecurity is a booming and dynamic field that offers a variety of roles and responsibilities. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for information security analysts was $103,590 in May 2020, and the projected job growth from 2019 to 2029 was 31%, much faster than the average for all occupations. However, the demand for cybersecurity professionals also means that the expectations and requirements for these roles are high, and you may need to demonstrate your skills and qualifications through certifications, portfolios, or projects.

Some of the common cybersecurity roles that you may be interested in are:

• Security Analyst: A security analyst is responsible for monitoring, detecting, analyzing, and responding to security incidents and threats in an organization’s network and systems. A security analyst may also perform vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, risk management, and security audits. A security analyst typically requires a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as computer science, information systems, or cybersecurity, and some relevant work experience. Some of the certifications that may be helpful for a security analyst are CompTIA Security+, CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker), CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional), and CISM (Certified Information Security Manager).
• Security Engineer: A security engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, testing, and maintaining the security infrastructure and solutions for an organization’s network and systems. A security engineer may also perform security research, development, and innovation. A security engineer typically requires a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as computer engineering, software engineering, or cybersecurity, and some relevant work experience. Some of the certifications that may be helpful for a security engineer are CompTIA Security+, CEH, CISSP, and GSEC (GIAC Security Essentials).
• Security Consultant: A security consultant is responsible for providing expert advice, guidance, and recommendations on security issues and solutions for clients or organizations. A security consultant may also perform security assessments, audits, testing, and training. A security consultant typically requires a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as business, management, or cybersecurity, and some relevant work experience. Some of the certifications that may be helpful for a security consultant are CompTIA Security+, CEH, CISSP, and CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor).

Some of the employers that are hiring for cybersecurity roles in Ohio, US, are:

• IBM: IBM is a global technology and consulting company that offers a range of cybersecurity services and solutions, such as cloud security, data security, identity and access management, threat management, and security intelligence. IBM has several offices and locations in Ohio, such as Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Dublin. IBM offers competitive salaries and benefits, as well as opportunities for learning and career development. You can find more information about IBM’s cybersecurity careers [here](https://www.ibm.com/security/careers).
• Accenture: Accenture is a global professional services company that provides consulting, technology, and outsourcing services, including cybersecurity. Accenture has several offices and locations in Ohio, such as Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Dayton. Accenture offers competitive salaries and benefits, as well as opportunities for learning and career development. You can find more information about Accenture’s cybersecurity careers [here](https://www.accenture.com/us-en/careers/cybersecurity).
• Booz Allen Hamilton: Booz Allen Hamilton is a global management and technology consulting firm that provides cybersecurity services and solutions, such as cyber defense, cyber resilience, cyber threat intelligence, and cyber risk management. Booz Allen Hamilton has several offices and locations in Ohio, such as Dayton, Beavercreek, and Wright-Patterson AFB. Booz Allen Hamilton offers competitive salaries and benefits, as well as opportunities for learning and career development. You can find more information about Booz Allen Hamilton’s cybersecurity careers [here](https://www.boozallen.com/careers/cybersecurity.html).

Network/Systems Administration

Network/systems administration is a stable and essential field that offers a variety of roles and responsibilities. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for network and computer systems administrators was $84,810 in May 2020, and the projected job growth from 2019 to 2029 was 4%, about as fast as the average for all occupations. However, the demand for network/systems administrators also means that the skills and knowledge for these roles are constantly evolving, and you may need to update your credentials and competencies through certifications, training, or education.

Some of the common network/systems administration roles that you may be interested in are:

• Network Administrator: A network administrator is responsible for installing, configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting the network infrastructure and devices for an organization. A network administrator may also perform network security, performance, and optimization tasks. A network administrator typically requires a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as computer science, information systems, or network administration, and some relevant work experience. Some of the certifications that may be helpful for a network administrator are CompTIA Network+, CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate), CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional), and Network+ (Network Professional).
• Systems Administrator: A systems administrator is responsible for installing, configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting the systems and servers for an organization. A systems administrator may also perform system security, backup, recovery, and automation tasks. A systems administrator typically requires a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as computer science, information systems, or systems administration, and some relevant work experience. Some of the certifications that may be helpful for a systems administrator are CompTIA Server+, MCSA (Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate), MCSE (Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert), and RHCSA (Red Hat Certified System Administrator).
• Cloud Administrator: A cloud administrator is responsible for managing, monitoring, and optimizing the cloud services and resources for an organization. A cloud administrator may also perform cloud security, migration, and integration tasks. A cloud administrator typically requires a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as computer science, information systems, or cloud computing, and some relevant work experience. Some of the certifications that may be helpful for a cloud administrator are CompTIA Cloud+, AWS (Amazon Web Services) Certified SysOps Administrator, Azure (Microsoft Azure) Administrator, and Google Cloud Certified Associate Cloud Engineer.

Some of the employers that are hiring for network/systems administration roles in Ohio, US, are:

• Nationwide: Nationwide is a leading insurance and financial services company that offers a range of network/systems administration services and solutions, such as network engineering, network operations, system engineering, system operations, and cloud engineering. Nationwide has several offices and locations in Ohio, such as Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Dublin. Nationwide offers competitive salaries and benefits, as well as opportunities for learning and career development. You can find more information about Nationwide’s network/systems administration careers [here](https://nationwide.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/Nationwide_Career/job/Ohio-Columbus/Network-Engineer_R0010577).
• Cardinal Health: Cardinal Health is a global health care services and products company that offers a range of network/systems administration services and solutions, such as network architecture, network security, system architecture, system security, and cloud architecture. Cardinal Health has several offices and locations in Ohio, such as Dublin, Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati. Cardinal Health offers competitive salaries and benefits, as well as opportunities for learning and career development. You can find more information about Cardinal Health’s network/systems administration careers [here](https://jobs.cardinalhealth.com/search-jobs/network%20system%20administrator/20001/1).
• Ohio State University: Ohio State University is a public research university that offers a range of network/systems administration services and solutions, such as network design, network support, system design, system support, and cloud support. Ohio State University has several offices and locations in Ohio, such as Columbus, Wooster, Lima, and Mansfield. Ohio State University offers competitive salaries and benefits, as well as opportunities for learning and career development. You can find more information about Ohio State University’s network/systems administration careers [here](https://www.jobsatosu.com/postings/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&query=network+system+administrator&query_v0_posted_at_date=&435=&commit=Search).

Conclusion

In conclusion, you have a lot of potential and opportunities to pursue a career in Cybersecurity or network/systems administration, given your Master’s degree in Information Systems and your 5 years of experience in a small MSP. However, you may also need to prepare yourself for the challenges and competition in the job market, especially if you are looking for a specific location and salary range. We hope that this article has provided some useful tips and suggestions on how to find and apply for suitable positions and employers for you in these fields. We wish you all the best in your career journey!

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