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What to do next?

Veteran

Matthew Rackham Elizabethtown, KY

I am about to be officially retired from the military. I have an estimate on my VA and retirement pensions. I don't know whether to join the work force for $17/hour in my new IT field or to continue on my education pathways and wait for more. Any comments?

11 February 2018 9 replies Mentoring

Answers

Advisor

Paul Holdredge Milwaukee, WI

Sergeant Rackham,

I agree with another respondent - can you do both? Let's set aside the pay for a moment - partly because it's likely your pay rate will rise once you get into a role and build more experience specialized to a company - plus your leadership capabilities will propel you in industry.

After 23 years of service, what do you *want* to do? Do you love IT, or is there another field you'd like to study? Perhaps there is an IT specialization where you could take evening classes while working (possibly paid for by your employer). Or is there another field you'd like to explore - then can you take a few years to get another degree that would complement your IT strength, like finance, marketing, engineering, economics?

I have no doubt you will be successful. If you can create a strategy of the next few stages around what you are passionate about, the opportunities and pay will come.

13 February 2018 Helpful answer

Advisor

Patrik Schneider Aiken, SC

Dear Matthew
Thinking out of the box while being Swiss. But I served 35 years and once, the day comes that you have to face new challenges. Being in the military environment, everything is clear, you don't even have to think about your clothes you have to wear. And your wife manages the home while you are away. Now, time changes. And this is the hard part. During your military career, you surly had the chance to learn a lot, improving your knowledge on IT. It is a challenging field on the private sector because very attractive and always ahead kind a living in the future. Living in Aiken, SC, neighbor to Augusta, GA where the new Cyber Command is coming alive, there is a bunch of cracks working on this field. May be an opportunity as advisor! But at the end, you served a long time successfully, probably a moment to switch completely. I just want to invite you, thinking different. What did you always want to do, what did you always do, what is, what your heart wants too! Don't laugh, a complete new course set can be a new way to another success. Before you jump into common paths, just reflect your life. And invite your family to manage your future together. Discover your new AOR, find yourself in this, set a position you and your family can accept!

Advisor

Karen McDowell Charlottesville, VA

Hey Matthew,

You asked a good question. I vote for continuing in your $17/hr job in your new IT field and continuing your education evenings, weekends, or on the job. My employer let me study on the job. I work in Information Security, and have worked in IT for 20 years. There is no substitute for experience in IT. Experience trumps education, but both are a must if you want to bring in really good money and make a real contribution. The opportunities in security are boundless. The US Gov't and Kentucky have programs https://www.sfs.opm.gov/ and https://www.cyberdegrees.org/listings/kentucky/ If you're not interested in security, you're still in a much better position to gain the work experience in IT and study also. Get your employer to pay for it. Most will. Best-- Karen

Advisor

Bob Molluro Wilmington, DE

Matthew, whatever you do don't quit your day time job until you have another. I agree with others who suggested you need to pursue your education while working. There is much that can be accomplished with online education. The flip side is that education may not actually help you get to where you want to go. I live by the Wayne Gretzky approach. When asked why he was such a great scorer he said, "I don't go where the puck is I go where the puke is going to be". So the question is where is IT going since it is becoming more important daily? Start reading Peter Diamandis book on Abundance . He speaks about the eight trends that are becoming predominate going forward . Follow Ray Kurzweil who Bill Gate's has given credit to as the most accurate forecaster over the last 25 years. Go to YouTube and you can hear presentations from both of them. Social media today is being driven by IT and Marketing. A great combination that can't help but improve your career if you are interested in them. I hope this helps to get you started.

Advisor

George Wilhelmsen Rochelle, IL

Matthew,

You have certs. Why wait?

If you're ready to join the job force, join the job force. Use what you have as it is somewhat perishable. Look for a company, and ask what type of continuing education support they provide. You are likely to find an employer who will assist with your tuition if you look for one, where you can earn money and work to develop yourself further.

Good luck!

George Wilhelmsen

Advisor

Joe Pierce Jonesboro, AR

I would join the work force, try to find a good company with a 401 k and save for an early retirement sat 60

Advisor

FRANCIS TEPEDINO, ESQ. San Diego, CA

Go for additional education. The more the better. Keep going while you have the opportunity. Later in life you will be happy that you did.

Advisor

Merry Vickers Richardson, TX

Or you could do both. Start with a company and enroll in their training/educational programs, like Raytheon has. I encourage you to look through the open positions and see what you like. Then apply for something.

Give your resume a format change and lead with a summary that outlines your skills and qualifications. Share generalities from past positions to translate how it will be beneficial in new roles, like skills, duties, projects or management. Use clear civilian language to describe your career objectives, but highlight key wording from job descriptions and any accomplishments you have achieved. Keep the verbiage in present tense and have others read through it for feedback. If you can pursue any certifications or even CEU (Continuing Education Units) will show how interested you are and make recruiters take notice.
I hope this helps you on this new journey and I wish you all the best.

Kindest regards,
Merry Vickers

Advisor

Robert Jurasek Hollywood, FL

Dear Matthew,

The IT field is not my area of expertise, so I cannot answer your question, directly. However, a quick search of usajobs.gov, using Elizabethtown KY as the search criteria, turned up Federal job announcements that might be of interest to you. One of the announcements (https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/490748100) is for Information Technology Specialist.

If nothing else, the announcement will give you an idea of the qualifications and experience needed to apply for the position. And with Federal jobs, it is always a good practice to apply, even if you don't have all of the required experience, because you still may be the "best qualified" candidate.

Thank you for your Service and I wish you all the best with your transition!

Sincerely,
Bob Jurasek

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