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Advice for starting a career in Digital Forensics

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(@stu32uk)
Posts: 1
New Member
Topic starter
 

Hi all, my first post on this forum.

I am just looking for some advice on the best way to get into the industry. I have a 21 BSc (Hons) in Forensic Computing but no experience within the field thus far. I'm based in Birmingham and can travel to other areas within the Midlands, so any company names that I should look out for that you could mention would be greatly appreciated.

At the moment I'm working a menial non-IT related job to pay the bills and it's time I got myself into a career, so I'm asking your advice on the best way to get my foot on the ladder.
I've also pondered the thought of sending letters to forensic companies asking about the possibility of taking up a kind of unpaid work experience, as a means to getting some experience under my belt. However, understanding that a lot of the work you guys do is centred around sensitive information, I imagine companies may shy away from offering such a thing. Any advice regarding this as well?

Thanks a lot in advance,

Stu.

 
Posted : 20/10/2014 9:22 pm
(@bithead)
Posts: 1206
Noble Member
 

Why are you working in a "menial non-IT related job" rather than an IT job, however menial, where you could be gaining some industry experience?

I have seen precious few entry-level forensic jobs and those I see have candidates with more than just good grades.

My recommendation would be to get some IT experience under your belt.

And yes you are HIGHLY unlikely to find a company willing to take on someone that is not an employee to be around or handle evidence.

 
Posted : 21/10/2014 4:25 am
(@unicron)
Posts: 36
Eminent Member
 

Why not show how good your investigative skills are by searching this forum, and then discover the many answers that have been posted to the many, many questions exactly like yours?

In all seriousness, if you can't demonstrate that you are a self starter you will never stand out from the masses of other 'Forensic' graduates in the same situation as you. What have done in your spare time to build on your experience at university? How have you kept your skills up to date? What opportunities have you had at your current employer to use what you learned at university?

These are just a few ideas of what potential employers will be asking…

 
Posted : 21/10/2014 2:56 pm
(@mscotgrove)
Posts: 938
Prominent Member
 

Get something IT based. It could even be PC repair, installation, network support etc. Anything that means you touch real life computing on a daily basis. A good forensics person has to know what is being used, typical applications, and configurations and typical hardware.

In your spare time, work on some projects for topics that fascinated you on your course.

Small companies may be a starting point. Data recovery and forensics have a wide overlap, although the approaches can be different.

 
Posted : 22/10/2014 5:29 pm
(@fine_comb)
Posts: 2
New Member
 

CCL Forensics is based within traveling distance of Birmingham, in Stratford-upon-Avon.

http//www.cclgroupltd.com/about/job-vacancies/

 
Posted : 22/10/2014 8:32 pm
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