Military IT - Now Planning Ahead

I last posted here a few years ago right before I joined basic training for 25B, Information Technology Specialist. I was overseas working at a helpdesk for 15 months, and just got back stateside in mid-February. I have 14 more months until I get out. I'm Security+ certified and have a TS clearance.

What should I focus on now to prepare me for the private sector? There's a nearby community college and technical school that have Comp Sci/IT programs. I've been thinking about pursuing MCITP so I can gain administrative rights on the network here. Any prior service 25B's out there with some insight into transitioning to the civilian workforce?

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MusicIT

dpb23 wrote: »

I last posted here a few years ago right before I joined basic training for 25B, Information Technology Specialist. I was overseas working at a helpdesk for 15 months, and just got back stateside in mid-February. I have 14 more months until I get out. I'm Security+ certified and have a TS clearance.

What should I focus on now to prepare me for the private sector? There's a nearby community college and technical school that have Comp Sci/IT programs. I've been thinking about pursuing MCITP so I can gain administrative rights on the network here. Any prior service 25B's out there with some insight into transitioning to the civilian workforce?

My recommendation for you is when you get out look for the Government jobs because you have the TS already. If you can try to get it bumped up to TS-SCI you will be able to start out at a pretty nice salary. I currently work as a DOD contractor and I am making good money with only my experience with the Navy behind me.

higherho

Get out and get a education / certifications. Government jobs are nice but they are not helping the economy. Use your skills in the private / public sector.

Rappeller

www.armycivilianservice.com get your A+ and with your TS you shouldn't have a problem. I was looking at a spot in Hawaii just about an hour ago.

also there are specific websites you can look at that are dedicated to jobs requiring security clearances but you may need to move. If you already have a TS a lot of times you can get a higher starting salary since the company doesn't have to pay for al the background checks.

networker050184

Where are you located/planning to live? That is going to be the biggest factor in your career opportunities. Continuing your education and certifications are going to help you regardless though.

it_consultant

Right now government workers and contractors aren't exactly in high demand. IT professionals in the private sector, on the other hand, are in very high demand.

dpb23

networker050184 wrote: »

Where are you located/planning to live? That is going to be the biggest factor in your career opportunities. Continuing your education and certifications are going to help you regardless though.

I live in Tacoma, WA and I'm from this state. I would prefer to stay here since it's so close to home, although I am open to relocating (in the United States) if the right opportunity presented itself.

Rappeller

Ft Lewis is always hiring. I saw 3 jobs there today.

Blackout

it_consultant wrote: »

Right now government workers and contractors aren't exactly in high demand. IT professionals in the private sector, on the other hand, are in very high demand.

Im not saying that anything in the above statement is wrong but this is the list just for IT browse category. usajobs.gov

USAJOBS - Search Jobs

the_Grinch

My suggestion, go for the computer science degree. I went to school with a ton of Navy people and all of them went back for the degree so they could get jobs easier. The way they explained it to me was as follows. They could be hired on their experience alone, but most of the contracts required a number of people with degrees. The positions that didn't require degrees usually had a ton of former military people with a lot of years of experience, so they were hired. Why computer science you might ask? You might not want to be a coder (or you might), but you will learn the internals of an operating system (and a network depending on the school). That would make you one kick ass IT person, if IT is the end goal. I see a lot more jobs that ask for computer science degree and fewer that say "or IT degree". That's my two cents anyway, use that GI Bill!

instant000

dpb23 wrote: »

I last posted here a few years ago right before I joined basic training for 25B, Information Technology Specialist. I was overseas working at a helpdesk for 15 months, and just got back stateside in mid-February. I have 14 more months until I get out. I'm Security+ certified and have a TS clearance.

What should I focus on now to prepare me for the private sector? There's a nearby community college and technical school that have Comp Sci/IT programs. I've been thinking about pursuing MCITP so I can gain administrative rights on the network here. Any prior service 25B's out there with some insight into transitioning to the civilian workforce?

Attention!

I'm a prior service 25B.

My explicit advice to you is to immediately enroll into WGU. Whether or not you can get the paperwork through for the service to pay for it, you want to pursue WGU now. Your ETS date will come sooner than you like. Go full bore on WGU, and you can get loads of certs and a degree at the same time.

I was out for four years, and my pay didn't really go up until after I got my bachelor's degree.

I think one of these two programs is perfect for a 25B.

Network Design Degree | Online IT Degree | WGU College of Information Technology

Online IT Security Degree | Information Security Degree | WGU College of Information Technology

Start on it right now, today is the 25th of August, think of it as a divine sign, with me being a 25B talking to you as a current 25B.

You should be able to clear either program within a year, with room to spare.

I would recommend going towards the CCNA track, but I'm biased. If you're feeling the Microsoft stuff, then do that.

My best advice to you is to go to WGU right now.

Also, look at clearancejobs.com.

The best plan for you right now is to try to secure a job using your TS, and if you get your degree and get your CCNA:Security, that would probably be quite realistic. Then, once you get to your first job, don't stop going to school, and work towards your Master's and higher certs.

By the time you're three or four years out, you can make some really good money.

See, what you have already is a wealth of experience. However, you don't have much in the way of education or certs, which will hurt you in the job market. Your clearance is valuable to anyone hiring people with a clearance. However, if you can separate yourself with a degree and also your CCNA, you're that much better than the competition that only has the clearance.

At ease soldier.

Carry on!

(Funny thing is that you probably outrank me, I only got promoted twice while I was in for my six fun-filled years, leaving at E-5.)

Have a nice day!

coty24

I second instant000's post. I am a 25B in the national guard with aspirations of going warrant officer or regular officer but regardless of what path in the military I pursue, the degree is win win. I am in WGU right now for information systems security and I love it!

SteveLord

The Guard does contain full time federal technician positions (amount and slots will vary by state.) I can tell just in Iowa these come up a few times a year. They pay is off the federal scale and very generous. Catch is you have to be on a drilling status. My buddy tells me the only drawback is having to shave everyday.

Also, look into state employment. IT pays well in every one I've looked at (I am one myself.)

Neither are these are endorsements or necessarily better. Just more options to toss in there since you have so many. Others here have already given great recommendations too.

Mrock4

it_consultant wrote: »

Right now government workers and contractors aren't exactly in high demand. IT professionals in the private sector, on the other hand, are in very high demand.

I'll say it since no one else will........this is outright wrong.

I had no less than 20 phone calls for contract jobs with the government only a month ago. The gov jobs are most definitely there, but at least where I'm at...you should be willing to deploy if that's the road you want to go down.

To the OP:
I got out as a 25B a month ago. I'd say the best thing you can do (as everyone else has said), is work on your degree and your certs. And network. Talk to everybody you can and connect with people you work with now (gov/contractors/etc) and let them know you'll be looking soon. That way when you get out they'll hopefully keep an eye out for you.

higherho

Mrock4 wrote: »

I'll say it since no one else will........this is outright wrong.

I had no less than 20 phone calls for contract jobs with the government only a month ago. The gov jobs are most definitely there, but at least where I'm at...you should be willing to deploy if that's the road you want to go down.

They are their for now. 20,000 IT workers are being laid off / cut in the Military (I think its Army or Navy) and the whole debt ceiling talks will continue to cut contractors / government jobs over the next 10 years for sure. It will not be an immediate cut but I think government jobs will change in a big way and in my organization its already happening.

Mrock4

higherho wrote: »

They are their for now. 20,000 IT workers are being laid off / cut in the Military (I think its Army or Navy) and the whole debt ceiling talks will continue to cut contractors / government jobs over the next 10 years for sure. It will not be an immediate cut but I think government jobs will change in a big way and in my organization its already happening.

Maybe, but right now they are there. There are huge contracts being awarded right now here (5 year contracts), and they are recruiting aggressively to fill them.

Blackout

Mrock4 wrote: »

I'll say it since no one else will........this is outright wrong.

I had no less than 20 phone calls for contract jobs with the government only a month ago. The gov jobs are most definitely there, but at least where I'm at...you should be willing to deploy if that's the road you want to go down.

To the OP:
I got out as a 25B a month ago. I'd say the best thing you can do (as everyone else has said), is work on your degree and your certs. And network. Talk to everybody you can and connect with people you work with now (gov/contractors/etc) and let them know you'll be looking soon. That way when you get out they'll hopefully keep an eye out for you.

I tried to say it without being too pushy about it, been trying to tame myself in recent years.

spicy ahi

Another gov't contractor here! I'll give you the same advice I give all the other Bravo's and Uniform's I work with when they're contemplating getting out. Go back to school! Especially if you're single, the 9/11 GI Bill makes it even easier to go to school full time. You get to live the college life (albeit a little older and hopefully much wiser) and can take some time to find out what you want out of life. I'm not saying that you don't love what you do. I don't know you, so I am not trying to tell you that IT is not the way for you to go. However, I am telling you that experiencing college and all it has to offer may open doors for you that you never expected. A couple of guys took my advice and did it. One is about a year or two away from graduating from ASU with his Electrical Engineering degree. Another went to UCSD to study Comp Sci but ended up finding out that cooking was his passion and last I spoke to him he's in France attending a French cooking school and working for a few restaurants there to hone his skills. A third Bravo I know graduated with his degree in IT management (forgot where) and went back in as an officer.

As others have alluded to, there is definitely going to be a shift in the IT landscape in terms of government work. Now, more than ever, I push this advice to those that work for and with me. There are some that you know have IT as their one and only choice, and they're usually already working on certs and will have impressive resumes when they get out. If that's you, then definitely get on the cert trail immediately. However, if you have even an inkling of doubt, maybe give the college life a try. You can always keep your skillset up by finding part time work and fitting in a cert or two a year (which is doable depending on the cert, even with a full time college load) I can honestly say that I am jealous. You have a lot to look forward to!

Ryan82

Security Clearance Jobs - ClearanceJobs.com, monster, and yahoo jobs.

Get your resume on those sites today. It's a bit early but at least you will get a feel for how many companies will try to reach out to you.

You will likely have to relocate, but you will be able to find something stateside.

If you are willing to go to the desert for a year you could get a great salary and some good experience.

I would probably stay within the DoD for your first gig out. Get some more experience, finish your degree, and get some certs. Then I would look at the private sector.

Good luck.

dpb23

Thanks for all the feedback.

Right now, I'm trying to determine what certifications would be the most beneficial to pursue for employment in the short-term. I'd like to continue my education obviously, but I don't feel comfortable relying solely on the G.I. Bill to get by after I separate from service.

Devilry

Do military members get any special discounts on normal certifications? I know they get free CLEP/DSST exams for
college credit.

the_Grinch

I know some schools are allowing those with the 9/11 GI Bill to go to school for free. Drexel and Colorado State (?) are two I believe, I know Drexel is for sure. They have an online IT program and it it pretty decent. I did the on-campus program, but took a couple online courses and liked them.

wastedtime

Devilry wrote: »

Do military members get any special discounts on normal certifications? I know they get free CLEP/DSST exams for
college credit.

I don't know of any discounts but the unit/service can pay for certifications that fall in the DoD 8570.01-m if it is needed. Also the GI Bill will pay for certification exams. As of 1 Aug 2011 it is unlimited for certifications but the G.I. Bill will be charged now. The link is WEAMS Public. For more information go here Welcome to the GI Bill Web Site | The Home for All Educational Benefits Provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

I should probably add this to the thread I started http://www.techexams.net/forums/jobs-degrees/61885-active-army-cyber.html.

SteveLord

There use to be some barely known program, where the military would reimburse you something like up to $1000 a year for certifications. I do not know if it still exists.

Whiteout

SteveLord wrote: »

There use to be some barely known program, where the military would reimburse you something like up to $1000 a year for certifications. I do not know if it still exists.

I'm in the Air Force Reserve as a 3D1X1 (Client Systems Technician) and we are alloted $4500 in our career towards certs.

it_consultant

What was the training like for 3D1X1, and what is the 5 level upgrade like? I remember this as Cryptographic switching when I was in. Do you focus on specific operating systems or hardware?

Turgon

I would say go for government work first off if you can get it. With a military background and the clearance it's the natural place to go. You volunteered and served so take all the entitlements you are due. You could have been wounded, kidnapped or killed if you were posted overseas. Meanwhile do keep any eye out for private sector opportunities as I think the bubble is about to burst on government, security, defence. We will see a lot of people laid off with similar skills in the years ahead from the purge and the private sector wont be able to absorb all these people.

Whiteout

it_consultant wrote: »

What was the training like for 3D1X1, and what is the 5 level upgrade like? I remember this as Cryptographic switching when I was in. Do you focus on specific operating systems or hardware?

Tech school wasn't much of a challenge for me, because I already had a degree in IT, but we did learn some cool stuff. Anything from computers to phones and radios. We also did an A+ "boot camp" and the end of tech school. I am actually in my 5 level training right now. Pretty much anything that plugs into the wall we have to be able to maintain. But our main focus is windows based computers. We also do a fair amount with Active directory and sharepoint.