While a degree is definitely not the 'be all, end all,' it's still always a nice thing to have in your corner / back pocket, when applying for jobs and promotions.  You didn't mention, do you already have any degree, or would this be your first?  Personally, I think if I were in a position where I had opportunity and funding for a degree, I'd pursue it, and look for possibilities like work-study / co-op, etc, while I was working towards it.  I also think your other certifications will help, and it's always nice to have some base knowledge to work from, as well.

Personally, I can't say you'd be 'shooting yourself in the foot' with either direction, and can only say that, personally, I'd get the degree while the opportunity permits.  One other thing I always think about is that the degree often becomes harder to make time for, and concentrate on, once you enter more full-time into the working world.  It's something I, personally, never achieved, and while I still feel it's not a 'necessity' (I'm doing very well for having none,) I still wish, for job security's sake and comfort, that I had one, to give me more opportunity, should my direction and status ever take a drastic change in any other direction.  I have plans to pursue down the road, but with my current load, if I were to start even part-time right now, I'd be working on it for probably 2-3 times the amount of time, to achieve it, due to work commitments and my family.

So IMHO, I'd get the degree, if the opportunity feels right.  (Take my opinion for what it's wortth, as it's mine, and you need to make your own decisions. )  You can still continue to study security and other topics, and open up quite a few doors while working on the schoolwork.

Good luck, and keep us informed of your direction and progress, delusion.

first off all, welcome delusion! (*cheering in the background)

second, let me tell you something about my backgroup to help you understand it isnt that much different. i'm currently 25 years of age, have taken a master in information science (which is IT related, but not focussed on security) and started working for about a year now. i almost immediately dived into security, learning alot everyday, went for my CISSP and CEH and here i am now.

Last year the Dutch university started a master in information security. which made me mad because i would like to obtain that master a 100 times more then the one i have now. i was about 2 inched away from taking that master but i decided to do not. this is why. i believe that experience + certification gives you much more value then that master will. i already showed my level of intelligence by obtaining my master degree, and saw no added value of another master, even though its specified in the field im currently working.

Back to you: depending on your prior knowledge (do you already have a degree in information technology?) i'd do the following: if i already have such a degree, id go for certificates and experience (experience is leading in this field, which i found out the hard way). if you dont have a solid base in information technology: go for it! Age isnt a leading factor here. there are tons of people who figure out at a later age what they really want to do! if you are in the position to make that degree happen (given funds and time) do it! but i would only do it if i hadnt a solid base already.

hope i've helped and please share you descision with us!

You are limiting yourself to one or another? Why can't you continue working and study at the same time?

I got out of High school and started working full time, I began studying for a CS undergrad in the evenings while my employer paid for the classes. Doubling up on night and weekend courses I completed my undergrad in 2.5 years.

Towards the end of my undergrad I got married and had a child. Once I finished the undergrad I was still working for a company who then payed for me to go to graduate school to obtain a masters in Network Security. That one took a little longer since I had a child and was doing some consulting.

But here I am, 26, Masters, Undergrad, 2 kids now, and I haven't stopped working since I was 17 (technically 13 but I don't count high school jobs.) I only have one certification and that is because my former employer mandated I get it within 6 months of being hired. I don't waste time with certifications for many reasons, the largest one being the waste of time required to study and retest every 3 years.

Many decent employers will at least partially pay for school, so why not find a decent employer and work and study at the same time?

@phn1x

Amen, brother.

Don

Good luck, delusion

Ketchup - I would never dismiss CERTS, although experience trumps qualifications to a degree, I beleive CERTS are essential, if I do journey off to uni, upon completion, I will still armour myself with CERTS 

Hello Delusion

After I read your post I wanted to share the road I take to help me achieve similar goals. I must admit I really don’t post to the board often, not by choice but by my obligations.  I feel I need to answer your request for advice for I have traveled the road you plan to travel.

When I was going down the same path no one could answer all of my questions.  My unanswered questions lead me to research how I could earn my degree in as little time possible.  

I was in the Army from Nov 1999 – 2004 31U I worked on computers from my unit. Before I was honorably discharged from the ARMY I was able to take classes for MCSA 2000 A+, Net +.  The classes with experience helped me to obtain a starting salary with my first job.  A year after being honorably discharged from the ARMY, I started taking courses at a local community college. I was 25 years of age,  raising my family, work full time, and trying to find time go to school to improve our situation.  During the first year, I took one class per semester all while working the night shift from 6pm – 6am.

After work, I would drive to school and sleep in the student break area until my class started at 8 am.  During the semester some my classes didn’t ended until 11 or Cisco classes until 12:00 noon.  On the same day I might have a class from 1pm – 3pm and I would rush home to sleep for a short time before going to work 6pm.  After 2 ˝ years of the madness  I made a decision to attend college fulltime I enrolled in online course and on campus classes.  I mapped out the courses so I could finish all of Required Support Courses, Elective Courses, and majority of my required courses faster.

The plan worked I was started taking courses at a local university for a degree in Information and Computer Security before I finished my associated degree. The first course I took at the University I transferred back to my community college for credit towards my associate’s degree. By the time I finally finished my associate degree I was 1 year from finishing my Bachelor of Science - Information and Computer Security.  I started taking more classes when I could which allowed me to finishing my degree in Bachelor of Science - Information and Computer Security 1 year.


A Degree is something no one can take away from you. As I have learned an employer will pay for certification and not really for an degree. A Degree in most cases means a person can demand more money.

The path I have taken I learned a lot. Right now I am a Security Analyst in DC. Some of the board members meet me while I facilitated the SANS GCIH 504 course in DC.

I hope after you read my post some or all of your questions were answered. If you still want me to clarify some of my answers feel free to send me a message and I will respond and or give me a call on the phone.
 

I think you could go to school full time and go to work school time. You will have to dedicate yourself in order to do good at school and work. By working you still will gain experience and grow faster than only going to school. By the time you leave college the technology your working on and book will be almost obsolete. I trained on Novell which I have never used during my career.