Moving to civilian world
Posted by Bleeblow101@reddit | sysadmin | View on Reddit | 33 comments
Hey all, just wanted some opinions. I'm seperating from the Navy end of November, Ill have been in for 9.5 years, during such time I've done the jobs of a SysAd, a NetAd, and tech tiers 1-3. I intend to get my A+ and Server+ should this be enough to comfortably land a job? Or is there more I need? Happy to answer any amplifying questions anyone has and will add them below. Thanks for the opinions and help!
KiLoYounited@reddit
Sec+ will be your door opener (it shouldn’t be, but this is the world we live in). I got out a few years ago, and changed careers into IT and Sec+ landed me my first job as a CTR for a MTF.
Feel free to ask any questions, I was in your shoes 4 years ago.
Bleeblow101@reddit (OP)
Honestly Im not even sure what I need to ask.
KiLoYounited@reddit
Well, here is what my path looked like. For a little background I was an aircraft mechanic in the Navy and have tinkered with computers since I was a kid.
Separated and decided I wanted an easier on my body career path, naturally chose IT due to my past and recommendations for the VETTEC program from the VA (look it up, it’s pretty great. It stopped for a while but 2.0 starts up soon. More info in June). The program is designed to get veterans with little or no IT experience into IT jobs. The schooling is usually a few months and is designed to get you certifications AND a job. In fact, “preferred” schools won’t even get paid if you don’t get a job so their career development resources are usually very mature.
After school, I landed a tier 1 support position at the MTF where I was stationed as AD. Fast forward a few years and just heard back yesterday that I got the ISSO GS11 position that just opened up here (not trying to gloat, I want to illustrate how good CTR positions can be if you hang in there it can be rough).
It seems cheesy, but you by necessity have developed the skill to adapt quickly. Use it to your advantage and sell yourself. The job market for IT is not the best right now, I am not sure what it will look like in November, but there are usually CTR positions available almost anywhere (some are still remote) and usually the certificate requirements is just sec+ (there is a specific certification level each job has and sec+ nails the majority of the jobs designations).
Bleeblow101@reddit (OP)
My secret is actually revoked right now 😅
Joestac@reddit
As someone who has interviewed and hired a number of former military folks claiming to have sys admin experience and network admin experience, just be honest with folks you are interviewing with on your actual skills. They don't quite translate sometimes. Simply setting up a set of machines on a closed local network does not make you a network admin. That is like saying I was a network admin back in my lan party Halo days. Same for sys admin, I hired a guy that swore on paper and in the interview he was a sys admin, he didn't last 3 months and quit because he was in way over his head and there was no chance of catching up. Good luck on the hunt for sure.
Bleeblow101@reddit (OP)
I mean, I was on a sub, with a high and low side network, each network with between 27-40 virtual servers, over 150 users, and a slew of networking equipment. Sure while out to see we didn't connect to the outside world, but in Port we did, we made changes to switches, deployed laptops, imaged them, did checks and maintenance on serves both physically and digitally, we ran back ups, pushed patches and updates, did reboots, managed user accounts.
Joestac@reddit
You're in a better spot than the poor guy I hired then. Again, not dissing any experience, just saying to be up front with your skillset, which it sounds pretty good. Your first gig isn't the one to shoot too far over your abilities. I get sometimes you shoot a little high, but this poor guy was way too far off the mark.
Bleeblow101@reddit (OP)
Im jusy shooting for the bare minimum to support my family at the current financial level we're at 😅
Joestac@reddit
I hear you. I would be looking at helpdesk gigs too. Great way to get a foot in the door and then move up from there.
Bleeblow101@reddit (OP)
I need atleast 100k just to maintain our current standing with trying to move back to PA, and help desk just doesnt pay that 😅
tankerkiller125real@reddit
If you have a security clearance your set to make some good money for various gov contractors, or civilian agencies. I would recommend adding Net+ maybe? I think if I remember correctly the 3 "+" certs combined are needed for some of the Gov jobs?
gangaskan@reddit
Sec for sure. Iirc dod has a firm requirement on it
PawnF4@reddit
Yes IAT level 2 if you’re going to work in IT for the federal government or DoD and will have any kind of admin account.
Strongly recommend Security+ or CCNA security as your first cert and to go into cleared work.
Cleared IT is one of the only corners or the market still favorable to employees both in pay and demand. I’m trying to fill a position now and have only two resumes because it’s so hard to find cleared workers.
In my experience we also earn about 150-200% for similar uncleared positions, not even counting more competitive benefits as well.
PotentTurnip@reddit
I'll come work for you. Probably leaving the middle east soon.
Bleeblow101@reddit (OP)
My clearance is in a tedious spot due to some issues, Im not too sure Ill be able to rely on it to keep me set. Networking is definitely my weakest area, I attempted the exam and missed the mark by about 150 points. As for the Gov Sector requirements, they only require Sec+
Impossible_IT@reddit
I work for a DOI bureau in the Fed IT space going on 29 years and Security+ is not a requirement. DoD/DoW and their contractors require it though.
PawnF4@reddit
Worked for DOI as well and only needed a public trust and no certs. Specific parts of DOI from what I recall did need a clearance though, I remember only cleared people could access at least one of our core data centers in Virginia.
Bleeblow101@reddit (OP)
Oh, I was misinformed then, my apologies
PawnF4@reddit
Sec+ is generally easier that the Net+. Lots of non technical workers even get it, people who work in compliance for example.
That being said I would definitely continue to work on your networking knowledge and skills. You don’t have to be aiming to be one a networking engineer but networking is so central to everything it’s arguable the most important area to have a solid foundation for a sysadmin.
ccsrpsw@reddit
Clearance needs to be sorted. If you have it - great. If you lose it, through "issues", it will show on a background check for bigger companies and you'll unfortunately have to explain it. (i.e. places that have people with security clearance, and without, will still DCSA your name, and the clearance dropping will show - maybe not with reason - but it will show).
Better to sort it our or get read out cleanly otherwise it will be an issue. Having it (even if not attached to a cage code and thus "held") is always better.
Bleeblow101@reddit (OP)
Ive done everything I can to sort out my clearance as best I know. They pulled it due to some charges that came about from a misunderstanding essentially, and are going to be dropped and expunged. I wrote up a letter for our security manager to submit. But thats all Ive got so far, is there any extra steps you would reccomend to take to help?
Small_Editor_3693@reddit
That’s really a shame. I’ve seen endpoint security + net make $250k+ with a secret clearance.
Accomplished_Disk475@reddit
You're going to want to make sure you get that clearance figured out. With it, you're golden... without, you're gonna be in the Thunderdome. I'm an IT Vet as well.
RevolutionaryElk7446@reddit
As an instructor I'd recommend A+ and Net+ as the foundational certs to grasp the basics and get started. Or swap Net+ for CCNA.
Security+ is also a good tack on. I'm not sure what position you're looking for, but those 3 certs only signal that you understand the absolute basics of IT framework. After those 3, you can then enter into intermediate or advanced certificates.
As far as 'resumes' go. That depends on who is hiring you, a business person or a technical person. HR tends to go for all the fancy names and certs, IT tends to focus more on your experience and ability.
Bleeblow101@reddit (OP)
Im aiming for a mid level SysAd position, I need to make about 100k in order to maintain current financial status for myself and family
RevolutionaryElk7446@reddit
You're probably going to have to be able to sell your experiences to the interviewer, or opt for a more advanced certificate. Also depends on your COL area. 100k job for junior is more common in California/New York vs Midwest or South.
In my area, people with those three certs and a decade of great experience might be able to break into 100k if they can show rather than tell their skills. Otherwise those three would probably be in the 55-85k range in the midwest.
I'm just shy of 200k + bonuses now, but I obtained my A+ back in 2006 and I even taught these three certs professionally. It was only after teaching the certs that I broke 100k myself.
buskerform@reddit
Defense contractors pay 100k+ for helpdesk with a clearance.
Backstabber01@reddit
Psssssh yeah maybe in SF, DC, or a HCOLA area.....
MeatPiston@reddit
You will find lots of ex military in local government IT and often you’ll have a leg up there.
Low_Assumption67@reddit
Fortinet had a great program called Fortivets. Not sure if they are still running it or not.
Lots of companies have veteran specific hiring sites too.
Also talk to the contractors you might be currently working with and see if they’re hiring.
BlackSquirrel05@reddit
Suggestion... Certs don't matter as much as the military makes them out to be... Outside of the gov't. The gov't wants those certs for hiring reasons.
Real world... You're going to get tested on what you actually know, and how to actually apply it. Which leads into the next portion. Often times in the military things and procedures are just written out to follow...
Rather than say... Figuring things out on your own.
I'd suggest actually more free wheeling some things on your own if you're looking for employment outside of the gov't.
A+ Also nobody cares about... Focus on vendor of OS specifics. MS blah blah blah, Linux red hat, VMware, promox, Cisco yadda yadda.
Go out right now and look up job boards for jobs you think you'd like to do and then see what they're looking for.
Historical_Score_842@reddit
Check out Usajobs.gov
3DPrintedVoter@reddit
open up indeed and look for IT jobs in your area paying what you want to make. chances are A+ and Server+ arent mentioned. use that as a guide for what certs you get.
off the top of my head i would look at AWS, Azure, or google cloud training. AI stuff is popular among the C level execs, but doesn't have a ton of practical usage in most SysAdmin jobs out there right now (In my area at least)