Career related question

Hi everyone,

I'm at a crossroads of sorts and trying to get opinions of people who have been in the industry longer than I have.

My situation:

29 years old, currently work DoD overseas. Around 135k income that is tax free for the first 104k. 30 vacation days+. 60 hour/week

-The work I do isn't very meaningful(I pretty much do vulnerability scans and that's about it) and I don't feel I apply much of what I study for. I spend most of the day studying, but I get almost no chance to apply any of it whatsoever. My original plan was to finish my Masters while I'm here since I have so much downtime at work, but I feel I get nowhere near the amount of practical knowledge outside of doing labs back at my apartment.
Now there is SLIGHT opportunity for promotion, but with the current organization, I feel I'll basically be in a similar position and just paid a bit more.

Now with current contract ending, I have an opportunity to look around without losing bonuses.

I've spoken with several recruiters, and the job market is incredible right now, as far as clearance related jobs.
Seems like I should have no problem getting the 85k - 90k (NOT in the DC area) range which I'd be happy with, but the real topping is the jobs that will pay to upgrade my clearance to TS/SCI, which makes me more desirable to future employers.

Along with that, I'm able to be a bit more picky and look for positions which are actually "in the weeds" and do things more technical and less policy (Any time RMF is mentioned, I tell them immediately I'm not really that interested, lol)

My overall question is, Would you sacrifice the sizeable income/vacation differences (around 40-50k and 2-3 additional weeks of vacation) for a TS/SCI? I don't really plan on staying OCONUS long term, just another year or two max if I did. I do work longer days, but also basically am able to study for 6+ hours a day, but mostly for theory with no practical training.

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ansionnachcliste

I'm in a similar situation: 30 years old, but you have 3 times my salary

.

All I do is vulnerability scanning and studying, so it's been boring for the past half a year. With that said, I have achieved more certifications and skills, so it has helped my CV. My current location (in a new country) doesn't have many opportunities, but I'm working on it.

In my position at my current salary, I would like to be more productive and have a job where I could use my skills. Personally, I would take the opportunity, as I'm cracking up here.

Donklander

ansionnachcliste wrote: »

I'm in a similar situation: 30 years old, but you have 3 times my salary .

All I do is vulnerability scanning and studying, so it's been boring for the past half a year. With that said, I have achieved more certifications and skills, so it has helped my CV. My current location (in a new country) doesn't have many opportunities, but I'm working on it.

In my position at my current salary, I would like to be more productive and have a job where I could use my skills. Personally, I would take the opportunity, as I'm cracking up here.

That's pretty much how it is. You think not having much to do a work would sound nice, but I kill to be even able to do a 10 minute task at times.

shochan

Find an MSP (Managed Service Provider) to work for if you are wanting to dive into different technologies. You will always be on the go, unless it is a remote type position. Every city has these, you just have to look for them & take a look at their reviews. Even if they are not hiring submit your resume to them.

EANx

I did IT for a year in a war-zone so I have an idea of the temptation. There are people from my time there doing the same thing years later, making bank (not as much as "in the day") but not elevating their skills either. You mention not staying in CONUS for long if you came back, what's your long-term plan? And it's very possible to be a highly-paid contractor near DC but not in it.

Donklander

err, meant not staying OCONUS for long if I do decide to not take this offer.

And that' exactly what I'm afraid of. That I'll learn all this cool stuff, but since I never get to apply it then I'll lose that knowledge.

I think ideally what I'm looking for is somewhere that has people who know A LOT more than I do and is a relative expert, and I haven't really had that since I left the Army.

EANx

It sounds like you want to do clearance work in an environment of people with a range of skill-sets but more of an operational role than that of a compliance monkey. I think you can find that in a handful of regions in the US but the largest one will be in the DC area. All of the Departments/Agencies that deal with Intel will have a need for cleared people who have generalist knowledge with a specialist focus. This is where you might have to make an investment in yourself but someone who has basic knowledge of virtualization/routing/switching/storage and specializing in one can keep making bank while working 40 hrs while being on-call once every other month.

Since you mention getting a TS, I assume you aren't working in a SCIF. Can you bring a laptop to work? That would allow you to build your own environment and study during your downtime.

Donklander

EANx wrote: »

It sounds like you want to do clearance work in an environment of people with a range of skill-sets but more of an operational role than that of a compliance monkey. I think you can find that in a handful of regions in the US but the largest one will be in the DC area. All of the Departments/Agencies that deal with Intel will have a need for cleared people who have generalist knowledge with a specialist focus. This is where you might have to make an investment in yourself but someone who has basic knowledge of virtualization/routing/switching/storage and specializing in one can keep making bank while working 40 hrs while being on-call once every other month.

Since you mention getting a TS, I assume you aren't working in a SCIF. Can you bring a laptop to work? That would allow you to build your own environment and study during your downtime.

I don't really have an issue FINDING employment necessarily. I'm getting interviews out the ying yang right now. Some in DC, Atlanta, St. Louis, etc.

And I wish, I'm unable to bring in any electronics to the building for the most part. I've looked into environments hosted on the web, but that is hit or miss if it works on our network.

It's just an odd situation, since the end goal of employment is money, and I'd be giving up a lot of money short term if I came back, albeit less time invested.

MeanDrunkR2D2

Donklander wrote: »

My overall question is, Would you sacrifice the sizeable income/vacation differences (around 40-50k and 2-3 additional weeks of vacation) for a TS/SCI? I don't really plan on staying OCONUS long term, just another year or two max if I did. I do work longer days, but also basically am able to study for 6+ hours a day, but mostly for theory with no practical training.

For me, the working 60 hours a week is a no go since i have a family and really value my time with them over more money. If you are in a lower COL area and only working 40-45 hours/week on average you'll find yourself feeling much better that you can grow your knowledge in your downtime or make time to meet someone else/friends and enjoy life more. Money isn't always everything and honestly if a company wants you bad enough, they can make changes to the offer like give you more PTO than they normally give new hires.

Find the role that you want, sometimes a small step backwards in pay for more engaging and enjoyable work is worth it as it will help you become even more valuable. Having a TS/SCI clearance will make you extremely valuable and able to jump to another company quickly as that barrier is removed. But for me, my advice would be to find the job that you want with pay that is acceptable for you to continue saving for your retirement in the future and makes you happy. If you hate your work, you may get burnt out same if you consistently work 60+ hours per week.

EANx

Donklander wrote: »

since the end goal of employment is money

Is it? There are plenty of people who have enough money that are unhappy. My personal observation is that once you're able to pay your bills, put money into retirement and have some left for play that your biggest issue is time, or lack-thereof. Figure out what your long-term priorities are and allow for flexibility.

kriscamaro68

I am going to make an assumption that you are single with no family at the current time to support. If that is the case and I was in your shoes I would do the following:

Work there for another 3-5 years if possible longer. Save everything you can and come back to the states buy a house that is completely paid for in a lower cost of living area and then buy a couple cheap rentals that will be completely paid for. Build up savings as well as bank your rental income and then go work a job that you can be picky about that is not stressful and enjoyable and live a great life from about 35-38 years old on. This is what I wish I would have done.

Working this job now even though it kinda sucks will give you sooo much freedom later even while you are still young and able to enjoy it.

That's just the route I would take in your shoes.

mikey88

Donklander wrote: »

I've spoken with several recruiters, and the job market is incredible right now, as far as clearance related jobs.
Seems like I should have no problem getting the 85k - 90k (NOT in the DC area)

90k sounds nice, but that turns into 45k after taxes and a little bit of 401k. Just be prepared for a significant pay cut if you move Conus. Good news is with your certs, finding employment shouldn't be a problem Conus or Oconus.

Oh and just so you know, there are plenty of overseas contractors willing to upgrade you to TS/SCI.

yoba222

I wouldn't do it. Having a TS/SCI is a burden and you'd be hopelessly locked in to DoD seatwarmer work, albeit the most expensive kind of seatwarmer work.

I'd bank until you get your master's, then walk away from DoD and do whatever you want.