Do I still have a shot at I.T?

I'm 20 years old and currently enlisted in the military for 4 years. I have a Secret Security clearance and I plan on getting a degree in I.T because that is where my true passion lives even though my military job is not related to I.T.

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jt2929

I don't see why not. Isn't rule #1 about have a clearance "don't advertise that you have a clearance"?

AwesomeGarrett

How long have you been working in IT?

markulous

A better question is, why wouldn't you have a shot?

Hammer80

You're kidding right? No offense but this must be a joke, its not like you're trying to become an Olympic Gymnast and your career is over by the time your are 20 years old. My god I would give almost anything to be 20 again and know what I know now. Anyways, yes at 20 anything is open to you and I mean anything.

NetworkNewb

A couple years out of high school and not in IT already... It is gonna be tough!

E Double U

At 20, I was more into Mardi Gras and spring break lol. Started my IT career at 23.

aspiringsoul

I used to work with a guy at Geek Squad who who went on to be a Sniper in the Army. He got out, earned the CCNA, earned a Bachelor degree and he now works as a Network Engineer.

Never too late to make the swap to a career in IT.

NetworkNewb

I went to college right out high school and was going for Finance, after 2 years I said "this is pretty boring, screw this, no way I'm gonna do this for the rest of my life". Took like 2 years off of college trying to figure out what I want to do. Went back, and got my degree in Computer Information Systems. Was 25 when I graduated and got my first IT job.

Pretty sure I am only one or two classes away from an associates in Business Administration...

Deathmage

NetworkNewb wrote: »

A couple years out of high school and not in IT already... It is gonna be tough!

I started into professional IT at 25. Look at me now.

Luis103

I started in IT at 21 on the Help Desk and now I'm 23 promoted to a Jr, Systems Engineer Position

So no way are you late..

seigex

I'm going to give you the best tip in life I can. Don't let your clearance expire. Once you're out, that sets you apart for many jobs, and can help you get your foot in the door. As long as you keep an active job within a certain grace period, you'll be OK. I had a TS when I left the military, which I let expire about 10 years ago. I still regret letting it expire to this day.

Dakinggamer87

You definitely are at a good age and have a shot never too late to pursue what you are going after!!

stryder144

I spent 22 years in the USAF doing non-IT related duties. I got out, got a few certs and broke into IT. As such, in less than two years I was able to nearly double my starting pay (putting me only slightly below the salary that I was making when I got out). So, long story short, even if you made the military a career in a non-IT job, you'll still be able to break into IT.

Now, having said that, here is some advice that I would have liked to have received way, way before I retired: get your certifications, find places that need IT volunteers, and start wracking up those hours. You can put your volunteer experience on your resume (just make sure that you clearly state the title/position, responsibilities, hours donated, and the organization(s) that you volunteered for) and many companies will give that experience a similar weight to professional IT experience (YMMV as the employer may or may not give it much weight). To many companies, experience is experience. Again, YMMV.

Good luck.

Xavor

Use your military time to finish CLEP exams for credit and finish your Bachelor in something related to IT either by the time you get out, or soon after.

You have plenty of time to get into IT. During your last year, network with any contractors on site to see how to get in as a tech, installer, w/e. Having a job lined up when you get out is important.

You might get out and not get directly into IT, but instead go to a civilian operations center with a military presence. This can open doors if you show you are a self starter.

BlackBeret

Well let's see here.. I joined the Army when I was 17, I got out after 10 years at the age of 27 without having an IT related job either. I was always interested in IT security, got an AS in NetSec and a few certs. Before I left I had a job with a salary making the same I was enlisted (E6/dependents/10 years, plus BAH/BAS). Less than 5 months later I bumped it 20k. A year later and was making double what I was enlisted.

The only thing that held me back was people wanted to see more experience for what I seemed to know. Depending on your MOS now and the in/out calls you can always try to put in a 4187 for reclass. 35Q if you're more interested in offensive operations, 25D if you're interested in defensive operations. 25B if you're more interested in networking.

aderon

Is there a reason you don't think you'd have a shot? I don't see why you wouldn't be able to. Also, your avatar is my current wallpaper image lol.

orlandofl

Ummm I was a diesel mechanic in the army for almost 7 years...got into IT after getting out. Heck, i'm about to graduate with a B.A. in Criminal Justice and am currently working in IT. Get your certs and get a (relevant if at all possible) degree. Nothing will count against you...it's called a career change..and at age 20 you really haven't even started.

Best of luck and stay safe for the remainder of your enlistment!

-Travis

majestic_pecan

I spent my 20s going to school, teaching and doing random jobs I didn't much care for. I didn't break in to IT until I was 31. So I'd say that yes, you have a shot.

MeanDrunkR2D2

Of course you still have a shot. Get that degree and if you ever get the chance to move into a more IT type role in the military jump at it. I'm not sure how difficult it is to move into that to be honest. I didn't get my degree until I was 29 and started my IT career at that time. You can do it, especially if that is where your passion and heart are set. You'll make it happen.

Good luck and thank you for your service.