Is it worth going temp?

I'm in the middle of an interview process with a recruiting agency as we speak. I put my name in this hat with a "why not" attitude, but now they're telling me I have a pretty good shot. So, what would it take for you to leave a decent perm job for a temp contract?

Current Job
Desktop Support
$48k/year
Awesome medical (working for a hospital)
Employer provided pension
Cert Reimbursement
Cell bill paid
40 minute drive 1 way
Opportunity for systems exp. in the future

Temp Job Offer
Jr. Network Engineer (Cisco)
Sponsorship for Top Secret Clearance
$60k/year
So-so medical
90 minute drive 1 way
Current contract runs until 2013
Required to get CISSP on my dime within 6 months

I haven't started reading up on the CISSP until here lately. I'm wondering if I'd be jumping in over my head, or if it's doable for someone with good experience and 6 months to study.

I also should mention that the work itself is what I really want to do. I want to dive head first into hardcore Cisco.

I guess I'm trying to decide if the clearance and pay bump are worth giving up the security I have at the moment. I'm also wondering if I chicken out for job security, will I regret for the rest of my days....... I've just never worked as a temp and the idea of it doesn't thrill me.

What would you do?

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Comments

MrAgent

The thing about government contracts is that there always a lot of them going on. At least here in the DC area, if you have a clearance and an IT background, you can easily get a job. The clearance is completely worth it. I would say 6 months is achieveable to obtain CISSP if you study enough.

Go for it!

smg1138

Is the contract binding? A lot of them have a clause that allows them to terminate your contract at any time for any reason, so beware of that. Filing for unemployment can be more difficult from contract work as well. If you're making 48k doing Desktop Support, I stick with that until you find a better regular position somewhere.

xenodamus

smg1138 wrote: »

Is the contract binding? A lot of them have a clause that allows them to terminate your contract at any time for any reason, so beware of that.

I will actually be an employee of the staffing agency. In their paperwork it does say that they can terminate you at any time for any reason.

Part of me wants to go for it and jump through all these hoops just for the solid networking experience. I wonder, though, if I could find something just as nice without the extra hour of driving and contract involvement....

try2pingit

That's a good step up. However, what caught my attention was that CISSP requirement within 6 months.

"Do you have the proper experience for your CISSP® credential?
You must have a minimum of five years of direct full-time security work experience in two or more of 10 domains of the (ISC)² CISSP CBK®."

Reference:
https://www.isc2.org/cissp-professional-experience.aspx

This is very important in making that decision. If you do have the experience and can manage work/study, then get ready to do some deep studying. CISSP requires some serious dedication.

xenodamus

Yea, that has been a major concern for me too. The test itself aside, it looks like I would have to fly to NYC (from Mississippi) to take the exam based on the timeline. I keep asking myself at what point does it become too much hassle for the money?

xenodamus

xenodamus wrote: »

It looks like I would have to fly to NYC (from Mississippi) to take the exam based on the timeline.

Ok, I don't know what jacked up schedule I was looking at the other day but it wasn't the official one. The schedule I was looking showed hardly any testing dates in the US after March/April. There are plenty of them, though.

I don't know...the more I read the more I think I might can tackle this beast. I'm supposed to talk to the Data Center Manager in Portland, OR tomorrow. I'm really interested in the long term prospects of this contract and maybe he can shed some light on that for me.

eansdad

I would ask if the Associate CISSP is ok. You do not need the 5 years to take the test but to get the actual CISSP you do. In the mean time you get the Associate CISSP and are given 6 or 7 years to get the experience. A TS and a CISSP would mean big money when you’re finished. Remember that a clearance can be active for 2 years after your last job that required it. If it were me I would take the chance. Just make sure your finances are in order (credit report) because you will get dinged on a TS for bad credit/bankruptcy since it paints you in a "vulnerable financial light" and might make you susceptible to bribes.

xenodamus

Well, I went through the final interview yesterday. He said that my experience level matched what they were looking for and I did reasonably well on the technical questions he posed.

My credit is great and I don't have anything crazy on my record so I don't thing the TS will be a problem.

My only concern now is the CISSP within 6 months. I feel confident that I could pass it with proper studying and preparation but I really hate the thought of my job being on the line. Anyone else taken the CISSP under circumstances like this?