CAREER & JOB EXPLORATION ASSIGNMENT

ASSE 3211 – Learning Assessment ||

Section: 211

Assignment # 2: Career & Job Exploration

Name: Kinza Waqar

ID: 201500120

Instructor: Dr. Siddiqua Amir

Date: 28th April 2018

CAREER EXPLORATION

· Mathematics Assistant Professor

A university professor is a prestigious job position which has the ability to provide high level education to other individuals. Its greatest advantage is in terms of research. Once an assistant professor has reached a senior level, he/she has academic freedom to choose their field of study and work with new types of methodologies that they find most effective. In addition, they also have many opportunities to travel and participate in conferences and research visits across the globe.

A minimum level of education required is a master’s degree in mathematics which qualifies me to be able to work as a lecturer in a community college. To become an associate and then an assistant professor, I need to obtain a doctoral level degree from a graduate school. Furthermore, I should be able to conduct independent research related to my field, in this case mathematics. My goal would be to focus on publishing various researches and visiting different places to collaborate and broaden my range of information in mathematics. Consequently, I will have an opportunity to explore and learn about diverse cultures and languages.

· Cyber Security Engineer

A cyber security engineer is a professional responsible for securing computers and network systems from hackers and cyber-attacks. Their main role is not only restricted to defining security protocols for IT systems, but they themselves engineer system hardware to protect installations and the overall system.

A bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline which includes computer, electronical, signal and security is necessary. In a field like cyber security there is great importance put on certification. I will have to hold the foundational certifications like Security +, GSEC (GIAC Security Essentials Certification) and SSCP (Systems Security Certified Practitioner). In addition, experience working in various computer environments is preferred as this job requires me to be able to identify unpredictable security errors within the system. This ability is one that grows with experience. My goal would be to use the certifications I have acquired to work in a variety of areas of securing systems and built up a powerful experience section in my resume along the way.

· Green Computing Specialist

A green computing specialist makes sure that a computer system is as energy efficient as possible and that there is no use of hazardous materials in its manufacturing. They also design environmentally sound components such as servers, cooling equipment and data centers to promote their recyclability or biodegradability when these products become waste.

A bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline which includes computer, electronical, signal and security is necessary. I will be required to exhibit my level of proficiency, real-world skills, and expertise of Green Computing technologies by earning a Certified Green Computing User Specialist certification (CGCUS). My goal would be to use the knowledge I attain to ensure that computing products are environment friendly and efficient at the same time.

· Computer Forensics Engineer

A Computer Forensics engineer plays a vital role in criminal and civil cases where they extract evidence from digital equipment such as computers or digital storage devices. There are various types of forensic activities, which include crime scene investigations to collect and analyze all sources of digital data at the scene, tracing corporate network breaches and their root cause, recovering evidence from erased or damaged storage media and so on. Furthermore, forensics engineers are also called upon to educate organizations on best practices for data protection and how to preserve evidence of wrongdoing.

In addition to an engineering degree, I will have to be disciplined to conduct forensics investigations with exactness. The best forensics engineers depend on flexibility plus creativity since no two cases are ever the same. Unexpected challenges may arise such as the presence of anti-forensic software or broken components. Even though this job has many challenges, my goal would be having the satisfaction of knowing that my role is crucial to the successful and just resolution of many personal, business, civil and criminal matters.

· Biomedical Engineer

Biomedical engineers use engineering, biological and chemical principles to identify and develop products or devices to be used in the medical field. Their primary job responsibilities include designing systems and products, such as artificial organs, artificial devices that replace body parts, and machines for diagnosing medical problems.

A bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline is required, preferably in biomedical engineering. As I will attain my degree in computer engineering, I will have to do my master’s in biotechnology, biochemistry or its related fields. Due to the nature of this field, an insight to research is also required. To become a component a biomedical engineer, my goal would be to do my masters in biotechnology at a prestigious university and then work on various researches, in order to develop new ideas on how to benefit people who are suffering from illnesses.

Career Exploration – Questions

1. Of all the career paths you've discovered, which two paths are you most interested in learning more about at this time?

I am interested in learning more about the career path of becoming a Mathematics Assistant Professor and a Cyber Security Engineer.

2. What are the major similarities and differences in these two career paths?

The major similarity is that both require a bachelor level degree and a constant study as time progresses. This is in terms of research for Math Assistant Professor and in terms of certifications for a Cyber Security Engineer. However, a major difference is that a doctorate degree is required for becoming an assistant professor whereas in the case of cyber security engineers experience is necessary. Another major difference is in the nature of the job. While a Math Assistant Professor requires teaching skills i.e. effective communication and interpersonal skills, a Cyber security engineer focuses more on the critical thinking and problem-solving ability to effectively identify an insecurity in the system and develop an appropriate solution for it.

3. Of the two career paths you've researched in more depth, which one appears to be a better match for your interests? Explain.

I have always had interest in being part of a dynamic workplace. Becoming a cyber security engineer gives me the opportunity to work on the field, gaining experience in working in various types of situations. The ability to develop myself and become sharp enough to be aware of unpredictable threats to a system would give me a great amount of job satisfaction. In addition, I have always felt the need for more protection of user’s information. It would be rewarding for me to know that I have participated in making that a reality.

4. Of the two career paths you've researched in more depth, which one appears to be a better match for your skills? Explain.

Currently, I am attaining my bachelor’s degree in computer engineering. In my three years in the university, I have developed effective communication skills through various course work that involved debates, presentations, case studies and so on. Furthermore, I have worked in the learning enrichment center as a mathematics tutor. My experience in being a tutor taught me a great deal about emphasizing with a student, especially those suffering from math anxiety. Therefore, at present, my skills better match with the teaching field.

5. Of the two career paths you've researched in more depth, which one appears to be a better match for your values (what you find most important in life)? Explain

I have always felt the importance of education in having an impact on the success of a nation. In specific, I have always been passionate in putting emphasis on girls’ education. If I am to follow the career path of becoming an assistant professor, I would most likely work in my country and promote education in the youth as much as possible. In the case of girls, this is necessary as they would be responsible for educating their own children in the future, just as I would educate mine. As I chose math as my field of interest, I would like to become an assistant professor that will not only teach the coursework with diligence, but also teach the students on how to overcome challenges and always do their work ethically and with sincerity.

JOB EXPLORATION

JOB 1: Assistant Professor – Math