How Far Would...

An Associates Degree in Computer Science, Cisco Certs and a security clearance get me in the I.T world, specifically Network Engineering?

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DoubleNNs

Very, very.

Xavor

Specifically, as far as your talent can take you once you get past HR. Your degree will let you get an entry level job, certain certifications in demand will get you recruiter's knocking on your door, and experience with demonstrated skills will get you the dollars.

Contractor jobs want you to have a Bachelor's. It lets them bill the customer for more. It's not required for employment, but's it's something to focus on as it "never goes away".

1. Get job for experience
2. Get a few sellable certs if you don't have them
3. BS degree (not required)
4. Take challenging jobs that push your skillset and build your resume up

BlackBeret

You can get anywhere with that combination, just add experience and the 8570 certs. Sec+ and CEH will qualify you for about 90% of the DoD jobs. Once you have some experience CISSP will get you the other 10%. I've worked in many DoD contract jobs and haven't seen one that required a bachelors. I can tell you also that the Air Force network engineering positions also want you to have Linux+, MCSA 7 and Server 2012.

Sylice

BlackBeret wrote: »

You can get anywhere with that combination, just add experience and the 8570 certs. Sec+ and CEH will qualify you for about 90% of the DoD jobs"

Are you serious?

jdballinger

I worked DoD as a GS civilian with nothing but an associate's degree, a CCNA, and a Security+. The job got me my clearance.

I left government for the private sector with that experience (which got me past HR) and haven't stopped moving upward since. Eventually your talent and ambition and willingness to work will override arbitrary requirements.

techfiend

The clearance is huge but around here I see most security positions require bachelors or even masters with years of IT experience, often cisco/juniper and/or linux/unix. Security+ really is a high profile entry-level cert. It's like the A+ for the security field, most people's ticket in. This isn't a hot area for infosec though, around DC I'm guessing it's quite different.

kurosaki00

Network Engineering?
As far as your experience permits. But in terms of credentials you're definitely in good standing.

eansdad

Sylice wrote: »

BlackBeret wrote: »

You can get anywhere with that combination, just add experience and the 8570 certs. Sec+ and CEH will qualify you for about 90% of the DoD jobs"

Are you serious?

YES, DoD requires a certification from the 8570 list. Sec+ is the easiest to get but CASP will get you higher up for CompTIA certs, CEH, SSCP and CISSP are also on the list.

What Cisco certs do you have or plan to get? A degree and certs are only good for getting past HR. Without exp or a deep understanding of the job duties you won't go far.

Xavor

Always look at it from HR perspective. They're trying to check the box to put you up for the job. While I know those who do CASP, it's not as marketable as the CISSP currently. Sec+ is important for those looking for admin rights in a DoD environment, and surprisingly it's difficult to find candidates who have even that at times.

If you have the skills for a CCNA, an Associates, an an existing clearance you should be able to grab a job in the DC area > 65k/yr without issue. The main issue is getting past HR. Going to trade shows and networking with peers can help you get in jobs much faster than throwing resumes at websites.

If you have a CCNA, get a Sec+ and you should be good.

Dieg0M

You need skills and experience. No silly paper or clearance will get the job done or a position as a network engineer.

apr911

Dieg0M wrote: »

You need skills and experience. No silly paper or clearance will get the job done or a position as a network engineer.

There are plenty of people who have made a career out of having nothing more than a security clearance. They enter into the military, find themselves in an MOS/AFSC/Rating requiring a security clearance and when they get out they find themselves in a GS position where they can keep their heads down until they get promoted and then start all over again.

That being said, we're talking about people who will likely be lifers in the GS system which is notoriously difficult system to circumvent (raises/promotions are based more on time in seat than merit or skill) and/or force people out of.

Even so, having only a security clearance with no skills or experience will still at least get you in the door at private sector DOD contractors and the like. You may not make it very far in their hierarchy without the skills or experience to back it up as they do tend to promote based on merit and you may sooner or later find yourself without a job (especially when contracts end since more skilled/experience individuals are likely to get job placement in a new project while the less skill/experienced individuals are cut loose) but many of the DOD contractors wont even talk to you unless you already come bearing a security clearance (with a few exceptions for highly sought after individuals in highly specific fields).

Now, if you have the skills, experience, certifications and security clearance AND you are willing to travel/take overseas assignments, there really is very little limit to how far you can go in the private sector. Even if you are unwilling to go overseas for any extended stretch and remain solely based in the US, there is still plenty of advancement opportunity once in the door at a position requiring a security clearance as long as you have the skills, experience and motivation to chase after it.

Security clearances cost companies quite a bit of time and money and they may not come through which means they may have to start from square one with the hiring process. Also, since most private sector companies do their hiring with specific projects in mind (and thus timelines) they generally dont have the time to vet a new applicant. As a result, very few non-government entities are willing to go through the process of obtaining a security clearance. Its far easier and cheaper to get a security clearance sponsorship transferred from one entity to another than it is to start from scratch.

Even most government positions (outside the military) will defer hiring until you have been vetted so they can minimize some of the costs.

N2IT

Associate in CS alone would be great.

Guy I used to work with had a Associate in Math and ended up surpassing most people I know. Quality over quantity!