Applying for Gov't Job with no degree?

I got out of active duty in the Army last May, and I'm currently trying to pursue a career as a GS-2210 in the federal government. My MOS in the Army wasn't IT-related, but I've been retrained as an IT Specialist for the Army Reserve (my only source of employment right now). I'm working on an online B.S. degree in Computer Science, (at a crap college, wish I had known about WGU but now it's too late...).

What are my chances at getting employed now? The degree won't be finished until Spring 2015. If I apply now, will they hire me without a degree or much experience? I've got an A+ cert and working towards CCNA.

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--chris--

Paul6 wrote: »

I got out of active duty in the Army last May, and I'm currently trying to pursue a career as a GS-2210 in the federal government. My MOS in the Army wasn't IT-related, but I've been retrained as an IT Specialist for the Army Reserve (my only source of employment right now). I'm working on an online B.S. degree in Computer Science, (at a crap college, wish I had known about WGU but now it's too late...).

What are my chances at getting employed now? The degree won't be finished until Spring 2015. If I apply now, will they hire me without a degree or much experience? I've got an A+ cert and working towards CCNA.

I was hired with much less (2 year degree in business and no certs NOR any experience). It was bottom rung pay/work, but it was an IT job.

I have a soft spot for military members and family...so thanks ahead of time!

If you have not already I would work up a resume. Post it here (redact any personal info you dont feel comfortable handing out) and ask for reviews. It can/will be brutal but this is a necessary first step.

Second, start searching craigslist daily. Make accounts on Dice.com, monster.com, Indeed.com and setup auto notifiers that will email you daily when a new job is posted that fits your goal.

While your waiting for a job to interview for, beg/borrow/steal (Wasn't the mens warehouse giving away suits to active duty and vets?) a suit and make sure it fits well. Get a nice shirt/tie/tie clip!

Hit job fairs and learn to be comfortable in a suit (assuming your not).

SteveLord

Why limit yourself to the fed? Check your state and local governments as well.

the_Grinch

It will probably be hard because without experience as you probably won't be able to meet the level requirements. But it doesn't cost anything to apply, so just apply and see what happens. Once you get the degree, you'll be set.

--chris--

Sorry, I am tired. I spaced out on the first part, "GOV" job. I have zero knowledge in that area, if you want disregard what I posted.

tprice5

Look up the DoD form 8570. Ensure you are meeting those requirements for the specific job function you are hoping to achieve. The good news is you will get preference over other candidates based on your military experience. This is a huge leg up. If you do end up landing the job you will notice that every director and almost every branch chief are prior military. So if you are looking to do a career and retire from their and secure a second pension, it looks good for you.

Certifications certainly help, though you are going to need more than an A+ . They're not even going to consider you without your security+ as it's a requirement for even IMOs. I would recommend getting your Sec+, Net+ and the 70-680 (Win7) and you'll be a shoe-in for a service desk position. The CompTIAs can be attained with a month of study, but plan on a couple more for 70-680. Don't waste your time with Windows 8 as the Army has not and likely will not transition into it.

Side note: If you are not all ready living near a military installation you will have to move. I don't know if you have to travel much for your reserve duty but all the federal IT jobs are at major installations. That may seem obvious but I thought it pertinent to mention as some people are completely clueless on this topic.

LittleBIT

Yes, DoD 8570 will require to have A+, Sec+ and 70-680 at the minimum. You can always go for a contract job and travel, some contractors that are IT make well over 6 figures doing a basic help desk job, problem is that it's oversea's and its a 12 hour day. Most IT contractors I have spoken to laugh at the fact that I mention if a degree is required for their work.

You will probably have to invest a lot of time into getting certified. I have obtained my Server+ and A+ in 1 months time and going for my Security+ today (*Crosses fingers*). After that will be Project+ and ITIL and maybe Net+. I cannot work on my MS Certs at this time, but once I'm off active duty I'll be shooting for a contract position over seas. USAJobs.gov is also a nice place to look.

Getting a degree is good, it'll pay off in your benefit once you go for a management position after getting your feet wet, I feel. Also, LinkedIn.com is a nice site to build your resume and make connections.

Best of luck to you!

tprice5

LittleBIT wrote: »

Yes, DoD 8570 will require to have A+, Sec+ and 70-680 at the minimum. You can always go for a contract job and travel, some contractors that are IT make well over 6 figures doing a basic help desk job, problem is that it's oversea's and its a 12 hour day. Most IT contractors I have spoken to laugh at the fact that I mention if a degree is required for their work.

As a contractor working overseas, I can attest to the validity of this statement. We're all making 6 figures. While I have a degree, many of my coworkers do not and it is not required for my job. We do work 12 hour days. It's not glamourous, and the pay really isn't THAT great unless you are in Afghanistan where you get 70% uplift. Everyone is here for their owns reasons but I am here for the experience. I am betting on someone back home seeing '2-3 years in an enterprise environment overseas' on my resume and offers me $50/hr. While I know that may or may not happen, I can only work hard and hope for the best.

My wife and daughter fly in tomorrow to be with me during my deployment. So at least I have that. We will be here at least 2 years, possibly 3.

LittleBIT

tprice5 wrote: »

As a contractor working overseas, I can attest to the validity of this statement. We're all making 6 figures. While I have a degree, many of my coworkers do not and it is not required for my job. We do work 12 hour days. It's not glamourous, and the pay really isn't THAT great unless you are in Afghanistan where you get 70% uplift. .

I guess Afghanistan is where I am heading to next if the FOB's are still around next year when I get out

I appreciate you validating my statement.

tprice5

LittleBIT wrote: »

I guess Afghanistan is where I am heading to next if the FOB's are still around next year when I get out

While the pay is better, the work is not. It's a very generalized position. You will get your hands on the network, systems, IA stuff etc, but you aren't going to do much with any of it. The whole 'mile wide, inch deep' phrase comes to mind. You won't specialize on any particular technology except general windows 7 and server skills. This would be good for someone that is somewhat knew to the field and looking to get experience.

There are better positions, experience wise, higher up the food chain that would be better for someone who is wanting to hone a specialized skillset.

This likely only holds true for my company, who I would rather not name, but they seem to be the only contracting company still active in the IT sector out here in the middle east. That is to say that others are here, but they are all on the draw down.

EDIT: If you are DoD 8570 compliant, feel free to PM me and I can get you in touch with our recruiters.
http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/857001m.pdf