Choosing Between Software Engineer VS Cyber Security (Early Career) | Cyber Security VS SWE Jobs

Summary

In this cybersecurity and software engineering video, Sandra and Luca share their early career experiences, discussing starting salaries, growth opportunities, and work-life balance. Sandra, a security analyst, and Luca, a software engineer, compare their initial offers from companies like Google and their strategies for salary negotiation. They also delve into the realities of remote work, the importance of continuous learning, and the challenges of staying engaged in their respective fields. The conversation offers insights into the tech industry's 'golden handcuffs' and the evolving dynamics of in-office versus remote work cultures.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sandra and Luca, both professionals in the tech industry, discuss their early career experiences in cybersecurity and software engineering.
• 💼 Luca started with a competitive salary of $105k in the Delaware area, which increased to $120k base salary plus stock and bonuses after joining Google.
• 📈 Sandra's initial offer was $105k in the New York City area, which she negotiated up to $115k without additional bonuses but received RSUs after a year.
• 📚 They emphasize the importance of continuous learning and how real-world experience often differs significantly from academic teachings.
• 🔑 Growth in early careers involves not only monetary increases but also personal development and promotions that reflect performance over multiple review cycles.
• 💼 Salary increases post-promotion are often not as dramatic as expected, with typical raises being a few percentage points, highlighting the importance of performance and manager relationships.
• 🏆 Certifications, like Sandra's Security Plus, can enhance career prospects and the types of roles one can apply for, even if they don't directly translate to salary increases.
• 🌐 Both Sandra and Luca are currently working remotely, with policies varying between companies and teams regarding remote work, hybrid setups, and in-office requirements.
• 🛫 Travel for work is not frequent, often limited to annual company-wide conferences or relevant industry events, with travel opportunities reduced during the pandemic.
• 🔄 The tech industry uses 'golden handcuffs' to retain employees, offering stock refreshers and promotions that incentivize staying with the company.
• 🤔 Despite high starting salaries, there is a recognition of the potential for industry changes, such as adjustments to inflated salaries, which could impact the tech sector in the future.
• 📊 Sandra found working with spreadsheets and Excel to be the most tedious part of her job, while Luca mentioned periods of waiting for project approvals as less engaging.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is discussing the experiences of early career professionals in cybersecurity and software engineering, focusing on aspects like starting salaries, career growth, travel, remote work, and work engagement.

What was Sandra's starting salary after college?

Sandra's starting salary after college was $105,000 in the New York City metro area, which she negotiated up to $115,000.

What was Luca's starting salary package at Google?

Luca's starting salary package at Google was $120,000 in base salary, $100,000 in stock over four years, and a signing bonus of around $40,000.

How does Luca describe the learning experience in his early career?

Luca describes the learning experience in his early career as significant, noting that he learned a lot and realized that college classes were not as helpful as hands-on experience in the field.

What is the significance of the term 'golden handcuffs' in the tech industry?

The term 'golden handcuffs' in the tech industry refers to the practice of offering employees lucrative benefits like stock refreshers or promotions to encourage them to stay with the company, making it harder for them to leave.

What is the typical salary increase one can expect after a promotion in the early stages of their career?

In the early stages of their career, one can typically expect small salary increases after a promotion, often in the range of 1-3%, rather than large jumps like 20-30%.

How often do Sandra and Luca travel for work?

Sandra and Luca do not travel frequently for work, with perhaps one or two occasions per year, such as attending conferences or company-wide meetings.

What are the conditions for working remotely at Luca's company?

At Luca's company, working remotely is fairly straightforward, requiring employees to work there for at least a year to establish a performance record, after which they can apply for remote work.

How does Sandra feel about working with spreadsheets and Excel?

Sandra finds working with spreadsheets and Excel to be the most boring part of her job, especially when it involves manual tasks like vlookups and pivot tables.

What is the general sentiment towards remote work among Sandra and Luca's teams?

Both Sandra and Luca's teams are open to remote work, with some preferring hybrid work due to proximity to the office or the desire for office perks, while others prefer full-time remote work.

How do Sandra and Luca perceive the balance between boredom and engagement in their work?

Sandra and Luca generally find their work engaging and challenging, with periods of boredom typically occurring during decision-making or between projects, but overall, they enjoy the variety and novelty of tasks in their early careers.