New Grad, Gap year, Post Grad? Post here:

[Disklabs]

If you are looking for a 1 year placement, a position, some holiday training, or just experience, then post here.

Simon

[danlewis88]

I wouldn't mind getting some experience in the winter term next year.
After I start Hons Computer forensics, Just to put the stuff i learn into practise.

Thanks

Dan

[4n6]

I am currently undertaking a PG MSc in Forensic Computing at Staffordshire University. Previously I have been a senior Project Manager with 10 years experience. I'm always open to hear about any opportunities!

[ccvish]

Hi there I am desperately looking for a placement be it a month or more, please do fill me in.God bless

regards

Vish

[Maverick]

In response to your post I am undergraduate studying Forensic Computing BSc(Hons) at Staffordshire university and about to complete my second year and am now looking for a computer forensics placement as my third year industry place. I have basic Encase, FTK and evidence handling knowledge and am a very fast learner to thus increase my knowledge of these products and methods.
If there is any one whom may be interested in taking a gap year student please feel free to contact me with details.
With thanks
Maverick

[linty]

Hi

I'm currently in second year at Northumbria University in Newcastle studying Computer Forensics, in which i have to go on a one years industrial placement for my third year. I've being trying to find a placement in Northern Ireland, but i'm struggling to find any opportunities. I have a basic knowledge in the use of EnCase and FTK in which i'm hoping to further expand on with a placement. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Linden

[lemonkettaz]

Hey,

Is this still ongoing? As i'm starting my 2nd year uni I'll be looking into the possibility of applying for a placement year 2008.

Thanks.
Dean K

[kern]

Dean,

You at unn.ac.uk then ?

im just up the road :)

Kern

[lemonkettaz]

I am yes. Northumbria Uni.

What do you mean just up the road? Newcastle uni? :)

[kern]

nah, north of Morpeth, but Newcastle passes as the nearest local Edu establishment :) was looking at courses there. has Chris/others set up the MSc yet ?

[lemonkettaz]

The msc in northumbria?

i'm not sure. Are you in work?

[kern]

yes, there was a plan for MSc or maybe a Diploma.

Work? semi. Self emp.

K

[lemonkettaz]

I think there might be msc in digital forensics maybe...check out the site

Are you looking into doing an msc ?

Not sure if i will once i finish my degree...

[qwerty]

Hey,

Is this still ongoing? As i'm starting my 2nd year uni I'll be looking into the possibility of applying for a placement year 2008.

Thanks.
Dean K

Hi Dean,

I have just finished studying my second year of Computer Forensics at Northumbria University (well I say finished I failed some exams so waiting on the re-sit results). Despite trying since September last year to secure a placement, I have yet to successfully secure a placement of ANY kind (even tried 'normal' IT jobs to no avail). There's 3 (that I know of), that haven't secure a placement from the 16 or so that is in my class. The replies I've been getting from email/letters is that the company can't/won't take people on due to financial reasons or worried about the "work I'd be exposed too". Some companies just don't bother replying at all. I could have applied to work for a Data Recovery firm but we don't learn that on the course. The placement was one of the main factors of me choosing to study here (other being the location), and it doesn't look like I will get one. The only options the Uni/Alistair gives you is to either take a year out, or do the final year of another program (which neither interest me). I haven't even been told what courses I can choose from and I would be starting this month. I've struggled with everything Uni has thrown at me and have never been able to get the appropriate help from staff.

Basically, if you DO manage to somehow secure a placement, you're a very lucky person. Also, as far as I know, the only Computer Forensics company in the North-East is Sapphire but they weren't taking anyone on when I asked them. This means that you will most likely have to look further south for you placement. London has loads of CF companies, but it depends whether you want to or can afford to live in London.

[kern]

Dean
Are you looking into doing an msc ?
Well, i was. but I'm not so sure now. It seems a core of the MSc would need me to be a great programmer, which i'm not.
The other reluctance is the actual value of the cert. at my level. A police officer presenting evidence and able to quote his competence adds to his value. For someone in more ordinary circles i'm not sure anymore.
Years ago an HND was deemed to be an excellent qual. in rank ascending A-level -> ONC/OND -> HNC/HND -> degree -> Masters -> Doctorate -> Prof. the Cert. courses were great at practical application, Dip, with more theory, the degree being more academic. Then HND (higher national diploma) allegedly stood for Has No Degree. Now ppl aren't "in" if they don't have a Masters. Inflation. Go in boasting a B.Eng or what and your likely to get derisory responses. Everyone has degrees nowadays.

qwerty,

thanks for the feedback info regarding unn.ac.uk . I'm seriously starting to wonder if Uni's are overselling the courses, having heard similar feedback re a west yorkshire Uni too. Lack of support, irrelevant material, can't get work etc.

Before the course it's sold like you've won the job lottery as companies are really growing into forensics and will be clamouring for your newfound skills. The reality, maybe for 'up North' is somewhat different. Some that were playing ball seemed to want EnCE or FTK certs too, at the applicants expense, that, for one associate, on top of an MSc with a first degree in IT and several yrs in business. Merchantable skill i think its called. They can sit you in front of a PC for you to turn the handles on the software, thus making the company money. Fair do's tho, thats what business is all about.

If you're having probs getting placement, what advice do the careers officer/Alastair/Chris offer regarding full time employment on completion?

Anyways, i better get off the soap box and rub this raw nerve :)

Kern

[qwerty]

Well I've got an appointment with one career advisor and had an talk with one about two weeks ago. The one I've already spoken to said my options (if I wanted to leave my course), would be to do my part-tme job full time, or go onto the prospects website and find a job that matches my interested with my skills. I did find one, but it obviously means starting a new course which means I'd have just wasted 2 years (plus Id have sort all my finances, accomodation etc). I'd also probably have to do it elsewhere other than Northumbria which has both advantages and disadvantages.

I haven't actually talked to anyone about getting a job post-grad, I've been too concerned about getting a job now. Having struggled finding a placement, I'm probably going to struggled even more when I've (hopefully) graduated. The jobs just aren't there - especially in the North East. I will mention post-grad opportunities when I speak to the career advisor on Tuesday.

[qwerty]

I agree about Uni's are over selling the courses. All they seem to want is your money and if you struggle with ANYTHING - then bad luck cause you ain't gonna get any help.

The stuff taught (especially by Phil) is really interesting and we use the 'best' in Forensic software such an EnCase and FTK (albeit only briefly on EnCase). Getting help/support/advice on work is also hard work as I'm always getting told that they (staff) are "doing the work for me". They aren't "doing the work" I'm just wanting it checked to make sure I will get a good mark. If I had got my worked checked regularly (especially my 10,000 word assignment) then I'm sure I would of got better results. Not getting help not only applies to the CF module team, but all the other modules that I've studied to date.

[kern]

the usual reason for lack of help is "look, i'd like to help but ..... if everyone did this i'd never get any work done" which to an extent is true.

Maybe worth starting a group for ppl to check with each other. Not cheating or copying, but i found getting a few ppl together really payed dividends.Most have a different angle, and if there's a need to ask/complain, 5 students at the leccies door is better than one :)


Kern

[qwerty]

Dean,

Just been talking to the member Linty who has posted in this thread, as he is in my class. We've both struggled to gain a placement and where as my original guess of people not having gained a placement was 4, the actual number is 7 which is roughly half the class. When we signed up to the course we were informed quite clearly by Alistair himself, that we needn't worry about the placements as the Uni has 'links'. Well what a load of bullcrap that turned out to be!. Northumbria Police and Sapphire were two companies mentioned by him who would take a hand full of us and guess what? neither of them has taken one single student on. I also heard that they (the Uni) were stopping the placement next year due to the problems this year. If I was you, I would email/speak to Alistair and see what his intentions are for your placements.

[lemonkettaz]

Well.. seems very bleak then :(

not good news at all. he has told us the same like, that it booming and there are jobs for this career choice...

i dont want to have a work placement year where im not doing anything...

:(

[qwerty]

i dont want to have a work placement year where im not doing anything...

:(

That's the situation myself and a few others find ourself in. Alistair is being of no help what-so-ever and his replies are always very negative. Some of my class has just gone for normal IT jobs, but I'm even struggling to find something there as well. Looks like you joined the course under false pretences like the rest of us.

[hunz]

This is bull**** u make it sound terrible, theres plenty just not for students, once u graduate ull b fine

[Disklabs]

Hunz,

Strong words? Where do you get your experience from to know this?

Personally, I am after Encase trained, FTK trained and experienced staff rather than students - some of which have courses that are of no relevance to the real world of computer forensics at all.

Simon

[hunz]

so you would'nt take on someone who had just graduated with a computer forensics degree? even if they had learnt encase + ftk on placement?

[keanaz]

We spoke about this on a panel session recently and although I welcome them one of the problems we have is that the majority of our work is on Goverment sites, where the Security access is paramount i.e. SECURITY CLEARED and that also means that informatin cannot be taken off site and back to our labs, so post grads etc etc cannot help us in these situations:)

[Disklabs]

Hunz,

There are lots of issues including the fact that we have to have you accompanied until we are fully happy that you, the ex-student are able to work at our standards, rather than that of a student.

Keanaz is totally right, its not just about the qualifications, but also about the Security implications etc.

Its not all doom and gloom though. If you were someone that was promoted by a lecturer as an exceptional student then it would be different, it may be something I would consider.

Sorry its not what you wanted.

[hunz]

The Security access is paramount i.e. SECURITY CLEARED and that also means that informatin cannot be taken off site and back to our labs, so post grads etc etc cannot help us in these situations:)

I'm missing something here, why can't post grads help in these situations?
can they not be security cleared?
are they prone to taking information off site?

could you explain please. thanks

[keanaz]

putting someone through Security Clearance, especially DV is a costly and timely exercise, to do that for someone that "may" only be with the company for a short period is not feasable.

Im not saying that they cannot be trusted or anything like that, but the fact remains that in order to secure work in some of these area's CV's, qualifications and ITT (Invitation to Tender) work has to be comprehensive with previous experience and sometimes examples of previous work has to be shown.

I hope this is not a can of worms:(

[Disklabs]

I'm missing something here, why can't post grads help in these situations?
can they not be security cleared?
are they prone to taking information off site?

could you explain please. thanks


Put simply to get a DV clearance is near impossible, so it wouldnt even be considered to give a 'newbie' this opportunity, when others with experience etc would kill for it.
Even SC clearance is difficult to get hold of and as Keanaz says, it can take ages to gain the clearance, therefore you may not be able to work on the project if you are not cleared?

Simon

[emsee]

Hello all, I just joined the forum and find it to be very interesting, I am currently at the end of my first year reading for a degree in BSc(Hons) Forensic Computing, at De Montfort University in Leicester.
As this thread does state its for experience as well, thought id state im looking for some voluntary work. :)

[Deb]

Hi everyone,
I am finishing my MSc Forensic IT in September and I need work experience or placement of 2-4 months. Any suggestions?
Thanks.
Deb.

[Disklabs]

Where abouts are you?

Simon

[Esqulax]

And Where did you study?
Im thinking about going to Pompey for that course, but havnt met anyone who's done for any real feedback.

[Deb]

Hi Simon and Esqulax,
I am sorry I have not replied since, I have been so busy with my dissertation. I am in University of Portsmouth. The course is very good here (see Forensic Focus, April 08), and we do have guest speakers every week including Ed Gibson (Chief Security Officer Microsoft), David Sullivan (www.appointments-uk.co.uk), and Fred Piper, leading cryptanalyst from Royal Holloway to mention a few.
I will be finishing in September and I am willing to relocate. Thanks.

[Disklabs]

I know one of the people down at Pompey. Its certainly getting up there with the best, (Cranfield, Glamorgan etc).

Good luck with your quest.

Simon

[azzri]

Hi Simon and Esqulax,
I am sorry I have not replied since, I have been so busy with my dissertation. I am in University of Portsmouth. The course is very good here (see Forensic Focus, April 08), and we do have guest speakers every week including Ed Gibson (Chief Security Officer Microsoft), David Sullivan, and Fred Piper, leading cryptanalyst from Royal Holloway to mention a few.
I will be finishing in September and I am willing to relocate. Thanks.

Hello Deb,
Good to see someone from portsmouth here :D. How is the dissertation coming along?

[Onintks]

Hi i have just enrolled at University (De Montfort in Leicester), I know it might be a bit early in the day to start looking for placements but i want to get a good understanding on how they work and what companies might be intrested in undergraduates in doing a placement year, I would also like to know on any tips on what the companies may be looking for i.e. cetain software packages required and also any suggestions on things to learn (i want to learn as much as i can).

Thank you in advance for any respone to my question.

Thomas.