How to Invest in Yourself in the Face of Rising Education Costs

Living through a pandemic has taught us many things, for example, the importance of a healthy work-life balance, the need for trained digital skills professionals and the necessity of investing in ourselves.

For many of us, that means following a new career path. While the idea of starting over is scary, education costs in the US are skyrocketing. With student debt impacting current learners more than previous generations, one can feel overwhelmed at the prospect of gaining a new skill set.

If you’re feeling torn between needing a change and financing a four-year education, there’s another option: the NJIT Cybersecurity Professional Bootcamp. 

When we say we understand the struggle is real, we mean it. Spending money to make money is always a difficult decision, but let’s take a look at how an investment in yourself can pay off in the long run.  

Digital Skills Career Trends

Inflation is up 8.5% compared to last year. Has your salary increased that much? If not, you’re actually losing money. If your earnings aren’t keeping pace with inflation, your buying power is diminished. This means your dollar won’t buy as much as it did this time last year. 

In order to combat the rising costs of goods and services, you need to earn more. 

The pandemic is partially to blame for rising education costs. The closure of universities led to the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue overnight.

As education costs steadily increase and inflation rates remain high, learners are faced with a true dilemma. 

The market for digital skills is expanding rapidly, and the cybersecurity industry is a major front-runner for critical growth over the next few years. Take a look at how the market for cybersecurity professionals is growing:

Finding candidates with the right skills is among the biggest challenges for employers.

The truth is no one can afford to remain at the same pay rate year after year. The good news is there is a current shortage of skilled digital workers to fill employment needs. 

By enrolling in the NJIT Cybersecurity Professional Bootcamp you can overcome financial barriers and rising education costs in the US.

NJIT Cybersecurity Bootcamp Benefits

What is a Bootcamp?

Bootcamps offer a practical approach to honing in on a specific skill set. They have become a welcome alternative to traditional degrees for their relative accessibility and flexibility. In fact, more and more companies are waving the need for a degree in light of rising education costs. 

The NJIT Cybersecurity Professional Bootcamp can be completed in just ten months, offering learners of all levels the practical knowledge and mentorship needed to build the necessary hands-on experience via live, online weekend and evening classes. 

Bootcamp Value

No Experience Required

Learners can access the diverse field of digital and tech skills with little or no experience. Whether you have utilized digital skills before or are transitioning from a non-digital job, our comprehensive, beginner-friendly professional bootcamp makes starting a new career possible for people of all skill levels and talents. 

Taking a bootcamp means skipping prerequisite courses, which cost an average of $694 per credit hour at any 4-year institution.

Remote Learning

Our live and online courses are designed to fit into your schedule. Remote learning allows you to work while you learn. Learning from home is a significant financial and time saver.

Plus, studying remotely eliminates the need for additional childcare costs for learners who are parents. The average hourly cost of childcare is $17. 

Career Outcomes

Work one-on-one with our career outcomes experts who take the time to teach you how to present yourself and your new skills to employers. Brush up on interview skills with our hiring partners and learn how to polish your resume and LinkedIn profile. 

Outside of the bootcamp, these services could cost you thousands of dollars. Professional resume writing can cost $100-$700, career coaching ranges from $75-$500 per hour, and introductions to hiring partners are invaluable. 

Additionally, 73% of job seekers say the process of looking for a job is one of the most stressful events in life. Career outcomes can help alleviate application stress. 

All this value and more is included in the NJIT Cybersecurity Professional Bootcamp.

How to Pay for School Despite Rising Education Costs

If you’re living paycheck to paycheck, you’re not alone: you’re among 64% of the U.S. population. You can create a better financial future for yourself. Imagine what it would feel like to pay for groceries without having to check how much is in your bank account, setting your bills to autopay or not having to make difficult financial compromises.

The Return on Investment from Bootcamps

Return on investment (ROI) is a way to measure the benefit of an investment. Whether investing in a stock fund, investing time on a task or investing in your future, most people want assurance that their investment has the potential to provide a positive outcome.

Let’s take a look at how investing in yourself can help you achieve positive outcomes for your future.

Here are a few national average salaries for cybersecurity careers:

• Information Security Analysts $103,590 per year
• Computer and Information Research Scientist $131,490 per year

Keep in mind, the average cybersecurity salaries at the entry-level will be lower than the figures outlined above. However, with time and accrued experience the opportunity to scale your career and salary grows exponentially every year.

Now let’s round off some of these figures to measure your potential ROI when you invest in the NJIT Cybersecurity Professional Bootcamp.

How to Finance Your Cybersecurity Education

Before exploring your financing options, follow this two-step process to decide if you’re ready to commit to the full Cybersecurity Professional Bootcamp:

• Step One: Test-drive a 30 Hour Introductory Course for a taste of what you will experience as a learner. 
• Step Two: When you’re ready to commit to the full program, choose your payment option.

To help you invest in your professional development, we offer a few payment and financing options. This program does not qualify for federal financial assistance.

• Pay in Full
  After completing the Introductory Course, pay tuition in full prior to starting your first class.
  
•  0% Interest
  Monthly installments with no interest. Available to all learners.
  
• Personal Financing
  Learners may qualify for private education loans with qualified lenders.
  

Need more information on your payment options?

An admissions advisor will be able to walk you through your options so you can make the best decision for your future.

Jumpstart Your New Career

Choosing to invest in yourself is exciting and there is no better ROI than investing in your future.

Choosing a bootcamp to further your education means creating a better work-life balance with interactive online learning and the potential to start a new career in less than a year with the help of a dedicated career services team. To learn if our Cybersecurity Professional Bootcamp is right for you, check out our frequently asked questions.

Classes start on a rolling basis. The best way to enroll is to get in contact with our admissions team for more information on cohort start dates, tuition and what you’ll need to get started. Give us a call at (973) 688-5050 or fill out the form below.