Digital forensics is a fascinating and challenging field, but it can be tough to break into, especially if you're aiming for a career in law enforcement. Here's a succinct guide based on the experiences and advice of Redditors:

Educational and Experiential Requirements

• Degrees and Certifications: While a bachelor's degree isn't always strictly necessary, many digital forensics roles, especially in law enforcement, prefer or require one. Certifications like EnCE or CFCE can also be very beneficial. "I have a BS in Cyber Forensics and Security and have yet to find a job in Digital Forensics."

• Experience: Practical experience and certifications are often prioritized over degrees. "Most of the job postings don’t even require a college degree, just experience and certifications."

Career Paths in Law Enforcement

• Sworn vs. Civilian Positions: Many digital forensics jobs in law enforcement are sworn positions, meaning you need to be a police officer. Civilian roles are less common but do exist, especially in larger agencies. "The majority of digital forensics jobs in law enforcement are actually sworn positions, as in you gotta be a cop."

• Progression: It can take years to get into a digital forensics role within law enforcement, often requiring prior experience as a police officer. "I had to serve as a law enforcement officer for at least 10 years, or serve in the military for a similar amount of time."

Mental and Emotional Challenges

• Mental Health Concerns: The work can be mentally and emotionally taxing due to the nature of the cases, which often involve disturbing content. "My professor told me this 'child porn will destroy your mind'"

• Stress and Burnout: The job can be stressful, and it's important to have a good support system and coping mechanisms. "I’m more afraid of the effects of sitting all day, of repetitive damage to my hands and wrists, and the emotional toll of the subject matter."

Practical Advice

• Start with Entry-Level Roles: Consider starting in a related field like IT support or a digital forensics lab technician role to gain experience. "Try to get into the field working as a Digital Forensics Lab Technician or something of the sorts."

• Networking and Certifications: Attend seminars, obtain relevant certifications, and network with professionals in the field to increase your chances of landing a job. "Certifications aren’t always necessary to get an entry level position either. While it does help, they can be expensive to obtain on your own dime."

Alternative Career Paths

• Private Sector: The private sector often offers better pay and work-life balance compared to law enforcement. "If you spend the time getting those skills go into the private sector where you will be paid what your worth."

• Related Fields: Consider careers in compliance, employee relations, or incident response, which use similar skills and may have more entry-level opportunities. "Compliance, Employee Relations are great internal investigative roles that love them someone with computer literacy."

Subreddits for Further Advice

• r/computerforensics

• r/digitalforensics

• r/cybersecurity

These communities can provide additional insights and personal experiences to help you navigate your career in digital forensics.