Your Pathway To Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is like the ultimate undercover mission. Imagine you're tasked with protecting a group of innocent civilians from the viral villains of the deep dark web—like malware, denial-of-service attacks, and viruses. It's your job to monitor their every move while also making sure your network and data are as secure as possible. Are you up for the challenge? If the answer is yes, then a career in cybersecurity might be for you.
At Destinations Career Academy, your pathway to cybersecurity will lead you to success in one of the world's most in-demand jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Information Security jobs are expected to grow 31 percentover the next 10 years1. With career readiness education (CRE), discover your true passion and develop skills inone of the most highlysought careerswhile gaining confidence, experience, and industry-recognized certifications* along the way.Whether you want to be an information security analyst or a web developer, your future starts here.
Preparing for success
You've probably heard of the phrase “preparation is the key to success”, and here at Destinations, we believe the phrase to be true–but we're not just making another empty statement. That's why you'll be equipped with a team of supporters who will help you become a strong candidate in the workforce or your collegiate career, including:
- Teachers: Outside of Class Connects sessions, teachers offer support whenever you need it and make sure you're progressing toward your career goals.
- School counselors: Upon enrolling at Destinations, school counselors will assist in creating your graduation plan and help determine which career you should pursue based on your interests.
- Career counselors: With an abundance of courses to choose from, career counselors will help you figure out which electives align best with your goals and provide support in obtaining internships and work experiences*.
During your first year, you'll be required to take a career exploration course. We promise this is requirement you'll be glad you had. This course can paint a better picture of your future in each career and what type of further education is needed (e.g., college, trade school, etc.).
Learning new skills
Have you ever wondered how classes like Geometry or American Literature would help you in your career? If you’re on a path to cybersecurity, the answer is 'probably not much'. Fortunately, Destinations lets you fill your schedule with classes you're passionate about, like Security +1or Cloud Computing. To mimic real work environments, some of our classes—like Computer Literacy and Java Programming— are designed to involve project-based learning, which allows you to solve real-world problems while working alongside your peers.
Depending on your school, you can also enroll in college-level classes* to get a head start on university coursework. Or, you can partake in tuition-free summer programs to deepen your knowledge on the subjects you’re most passionate about. Some courses we've offered in the past include:
- Video Game Design and Programming
- Virtual Reality
While these courses may not be directly related to cybersecurity, they can teach you about computer fundamentals that can be used in nearly any IT career. No matter which course you choose to take, our state-certified teachers provide a personalized education experience for every student to ensure your questions are answered and your confidence is unwavering. Need some motivation to ace your classes? The average salary for an information security analyst is more than $99,000 2. Hard work pays off in IT field.
Earning the certifications
As someone who's considering a career-focused online high school, we know that you're ready to level up your future in every way possible. Just like doctors and nurses are expected to be CPR certified, you may be required to complete certain IT certifications to apply for specific roles. Think of them like a letter of recommendation. They tell employers and colleges that you've not only learned the material, but you're proficient enough in it to have passed the test. That's why some of our courses help you prepare for some of the most popularcertifications* like:
- ACT National Career Readiness Certification (NCRC)
- NOCTI Computer Networking Fundamentals
While Destinations does not facilitate these exams, our courses can help you prepare to take them during or after high school†.
Hearing from professionals
Have you ever noticed that a story sounds even more exciting when it's told by the person who experienced it first-hand? While our state-certified teachers have ample experience in the workforce, you may also have the chance to meet expertsduring class. With Nepris, a platform that connects industry professionals to the classroom, many of our students have learned the ins-and-outs of careers like:
- Cryptography
- Risk management
- Supply chain security
You can also experience a day-in-the-life of an industry professional during Job Shadow Week, a five-day program where you can attend live chats and ask questions. Throughout the week, you can:
Putting knowledge into practice
At this point, you're probably itching to dive in and get to work. With Tallo, a web-based networking platform, you can connect with organizations within your field. While internships are not guaranteed by enrolling in Destinations, Tallo makes it easier for you to find opportunities within your industry.
Having fun along the way
Although Destinations is an online high school, you can still participate in the traditional extracurriculars activities of a typical high school, like:
- The National Honors Society or any of our career clubs such as SkillsUSA*
- National competitions where you can collaborate with students from other schools
- Sports teams at your local high school
Whether you want to pursue cybersecurity or digital design, Destinations can help you jump-start your career by providing you with the skills, experiences, and connections needed to succeed. Read about our General Management, Pharmacy Tech, or Education & Training pathways. Or, fill out the form below to be contacted by an advisor and take control of your future today.
1 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm.
2 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm
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