Transition worries from military IT to civilian

Hey guys. I've made it a point to stop by every 6-12 months or so and get advice from ya'll. It's just so damn good! My second job, besides the military- is worrying. Here goes:

I am 21 years old, and a network tech with the military. I get some pretty damn good networking experience..infact, I get more experience in networking than probably the 10 other "IT specialists" I work with..since most of them have no interest in networking. Instead, they're mostly into the desktop support aspect. This being said, at 21, I managed a network in Iraq the size of PA, with approx 600 nodes, and aided in maintaining both a secure, and unsecure voice/data network. Some things I did there were routine server maintainence (not my favorite thing in the world), security scans, discovered and removed a virus that infected the entire network (server included), set up god knows how many new switches throughout the network, and even did my share of running some cable when the job called for it. That being said..that's all fine and dandy, but I still have 2 1/2 years left in the military. Will any of this experience be relevant when I look for a job as a civilian?

While in Iraq, I took and passed my CCNA, and starting next month, am working towards my CCNP. My ultimate goal before getting out, is to add the CCNP, a CompTIA cert or two, and at least begin on the MCSA. That way, I should get out with 5 years networking experience, CCNA/CCNP, and hopefully MCSA, along with my secret security clearance. The reason I am worried is, I constantly hear about the job market being bad, blah blah..and I usually fight that with "well, if you keep furthering your education/skills, there's always a job somewhere for you". Now, I am a bit more worried, because I am getting married in a year. $35k/year would do fine if I was alone, but once married, I need to look at a little bit more.

So the straightforward question: If you were an IT hiring manager, assuming the interview and such went well, what do you think I'd be looking at to start right out of the military? I do not have a college degree, although I've taken a couple (literally) college courses. I understand this may be a bit old of a question around here, but I don't know many others in my shoes. I just don't want to get out, and not be able to provide like I should be able to. Not to mention, once I get out, it's time to enjoy life a bit. Hell, I can't wait to do this job 40 hours a week, as opposed to "sometimes" doing it, and sometimes running cable.

Once again, thank you for your time all..I figured I should ask some people who are more seasoned than me.

Mike

P.S. Glad to see you guys

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Comments

Nik00117

Got a clearance? Head to german for contractor postions. Maybe a company will even pick you up. You have the experience, the knowledge, the creditals and even a seceuirty clearance.

For a company to privately get a clearance for top sercet which is what is most often required for networking postions around here its 15k you walk into that job and for a couple years they don't gotta clear you just saved them 15k, on top of that your trianed and faimliar with military strucuture. I figure your chances are pretty good, a lot better then what a lot of poeple get away with.

empc4000xl

where do you want to work at. I'm in the same boat as you and have way less experince than you and I get jobs shot at me all the time. If you are willing to do DC/VA/MD or cali there are jobs everywhere. I don't know how it looks on the island, but there are jobs around. Keep in mind that the defence industry is gonna be taking a hit pretty soon, so make sure you make a informed decision on where you decide to work.

Mrock4

Wow, pretty surprising. I am not too fond of moving to VA, but at least if it comes down to it, I know where I can find a job. I am looking at St. Louis/Kansas City a lot, but we'll see. I live near Ft. Leonardwood, so maybe contracting is worth a shot. I definitely need to stay on these certs though. The CCNP is proving to be a pain in the azz at getting started. I look at my shelf full of CCNP books, and think "I know about 25% of that......."

That being said, stress and the fear of failure drive me to work harder usually, so it can be a healthy thing. 99% of the people I work with are content where they're at..no one really aspires to go anywhere..

Netstudent

I would look around for cities that have the big government/DOD contracting companies. I lived in Huntsville AL for 6 months and that place is growing like crazy technology wise. It was ranked one of the top 5 places to live in the nation becuase of the high average salary percapita and the low living costs. Anyone that has military experiece and experience in the field could get a great paying job NO PROBLEM in Huntsville.

In the 6 months I lived there, I went to like 5 HUGE job fairs just to talk to people, network, and get my resume out there. I didn;t expect a whole lot of feedback because I didn't have military or engineering experience but it was good to talk to those guys.

Companies there like SAIC, BAE, NOrthrop grumman, Boeing, Nasa, ADtran, just to name a few. All of those companies were constantly seeking database guys, network engineers, you name the duty you can get it in Huntsville with the right credentials. OF course 80% of these jobs require a clearance.

Mrock4

wow, that's crazy. I could dig working for Boeing, Lockheed Martin, etc....hah. The one caveat that I haven't let on yet is- my soon to-be wife, is an equine specialist (degree and all), and needs to live
in area where she can have horses and whatnot, that isn't too close to any coast..we're both partial to the midwest. AL could be interesting. I guess on the brightside, ultimately, we're going to go wherever I can earn a paycheck at, so everywhere is fair game. I know she is partial to KY, but I have seen the IT statistics for KY, and they aren't super impressive.

My exposure to contractors has been fairly limited, but the one network engineer I did work with was in iraq, so that didn't turn me on to contracting really. On the flip side, he made $150k/yr as a CCNA with a few years experience...most of it tax free too! I'm looking more for stability, and a job I enjoy, as opposed to a high salary..but it's always nice to know there is a salary out there like that in this field.

Netstudent

Thats cool. I knew some people who worked for BAE but they didn't work on "networking" contracts per say. Some do, the guys I knew worked on site at the company's local facility. I knew one guy who set up the network for the software engineers to run and program missile simulations. He showed me pictures of there lab and command center and it was frikin awesome. That was about all he could show me. Those guys programming and running simulations make the big time bucks man.

Also Huntsville isn't that urbanized yet. It will be in the next 20 or so years, but for the most part it is rural untill you get downtown of course.

sprkymrk

Mrock4 wrote:

we're both partial to the midwest.

I've been to Huntsville several times. It has been referred to as "the midwest down south". I lived in the midwest from Michigan to Chicago to Iowa for about 30 years, and Huntsville was an easy adjustment for me. Plus, they have sweet tea!

Mrock4

sprkymrk wrote:

Mrock4 wrote:

we're both partial to the midwest.

I've been to Huntsville several times. It has been referred to as "the midwest down south". I lived in the midwest from Michigan to Chicago to Iowa for about 30 years, and Huntsville was an easy adjustment for me. Plus, they have sweet tea!

That may be something to look into. Like I said, ultimately, all it takes is "hey babe, the only place with a decent offering is <place I'd like to move to...>.........so, looks like we gotta go there", hah. Really, another factor will be home pricing/value, since we'll be buying a home once I'm done with the service. That is after at least 6-12 months on a job wherever we relocated to, so I can get some footing first.

For a while, she was locked on Colorado..I was thinking "perfect, I'm sure there's some high level contracting jobs there"..the cost of living index was pretty high, and the average salary for a CCNP with 4 years experience (I just ballparked it..I like to underestimate, so I don't get shocked when I don't get the "average"), was like $10k below the rest of the nation.

Although, I've been to a lot of places, never huntsville...yet.

Vogon Poet

If interested in working for the feds, check out usajobs.gov to give you an idea of what's out there. Government organizations give hiring preference to vets.

JDMurray

Mrock4 wrote:

The one caveat that I haven't let on yet is- my soon to-be wife, is an equine specialist (degree and all), and needs to live in area where she can have horses and whatnot, that isn't too close to any coast..we're both partial to the midwest.

California has lots of military/aerospace work and lots of horses too. You get your choice of beach, desert, mountains, or open farmland to live in. The downside is that the major cities (LA, SD, SF) are very expensive to live well in. We also have some of the worst freeway traffic on the planet.

Mrock4

JDM- I mean this as an honest question..on the traffic comment, have you ever driven in Honolulu, Hawaii? I'm just wondering in comparison what it's like..Honolulu is pretty brutal..any time of the day. I made a wrong turn the other day, spent 2 hours getting home, because I hit rush hour. I assume northern CA isn't too bad?

Vogon- I did check out usajobs..great place. I'm tempted to post my resume, to see if I get any bites, but it may not be such a good idea with still two years to go.

moss12

Mrock4 why don't you try to become a FBI agent ? anyways good luck

networker050184

Don't worry! Get your experience and put together a resume. Trust me, you won't have too much of a problem finding a job.

JDMurray

Mrock4 wrote:

I assume northern CA isn't too bad?

SF is one of the worst cities to drive in. Nearly a million people crammed into only 50 square miles. They do have a good public transportation system, so a car is not a necessity for everyone. San Jose is pretty bad too. The good thing about CA driving is that you have options for your commute (and it really helps to have a GPS). On the Big Island you just don't have many choices of roads to take to any given destination.

Mrock4

I'm on oahu, not the big island, but the same principle is true here..there's like, 3 roads that lead north..technically, one of them is the same road, that just is an upside down U-shape..and the other is separate. We had a nice storm a couple weeks ago that knocked down power lines and whatnot, northshore was mostly inaccessible..

No GPS necessary here..once you learn where the main town/cities are..then its easy..plus if you get lost, stay on the same road. I did that once, took 2 hrs, but that same road took me back to my post.

snadam

JDMurray wrote:

California has lots of military/aerospace work and lots of horses too. You get your choice of beach, desert, mountains, or open farmland to live in. The downside is that the major cities (LA, SD, SF) are very expensive to live well in. We also have some of the worst freeway traffic on the planet.

...SF is one of the worst cities to drive in. Nearly a million people crammed into only 50 square miles. They do have a good public transportation system, so a car is not a necessity for everyone. San Jose is pretty bad too. The good thing about CA driving is that you have options for your commute (and it really helps to have a GPS). On the Big Island you just don't have many choices of roads to take to any given destination.

Off the top of my head, I know of a few places like that in the Phoenix Metro Area. We have a Lockheed martin plant in Goodyear, Honeywell plants throughout the valley, there is also Boeing (i think its Boeing) out in Mesa (where they make the Apache Helicopter). And since we're all cowboys here

, the equine community is pretty good almost every city you go to. the only thing youd have to combat is the heat. But coming from Iraq, you already know how that goes.

SF traffic is TERRIBLE! growing up in San Mateo, I can attest that SF is probably some of the worst traffic ive ever been involved in when I go visit.

sir_creamy_

JDMurray wrote:

They do have a good public transportation system

which is partly due to the fact that you can drink on the Caltrain

Mrock4

snadam wrote:

the only thing youd have to combat is the heat. But coming from Iraq, you already know how that goes.

Off topic: What's the humidity like there though? In Iraq, 120-125F was common, but the humidty was very, very low..so it felt more like, I'd say a 95-105F in Georgia..not unbearable, but still !@%)*! ing hot!! Not to mention dangerous if you didn't watch your fluid intake!