I get PM from folks asking about IT / IT careers supporting UAS / DoD / Fed Gov...So, I thought I'd just start a thread and answer questions folks have...

I have only done IT supporting federal government (DoD, State Department, USAF, etc...) and don't know anything about the corporate / fortune 500 IT world...

Yes, it's inside work...Widowless facilities and trailers in the middle of nowhere. On-call, shift - work, travel, really interesting people to work with / around...

Its a excellent living, good benefits, and the companies are really cool and dynamic...

I wanted to do the flying thing but just couldn't afford it and the more I put money away to pay for it in one lump sum...I just reached a point where going back to the pay and uncertainty wasn't worth it to me.

So ask away if you are interested...

 

Just to add a little something to this... A buddy of mine is leaving aviation to pursue a career in internet/IT security. Apparently it is very lucrative and the work can be quite interesting despite the no windows thing. He is enjoying the pay and benefits and not constantly fretting over an unstable future.

 

IT security, especially for those with a CISSP or federal government training is very lucrative.

 

Learn the Java programming language, get 1 or 2 years experience, become a consultant, work through an IT consulting agency and make $65/hour and work 2,000 hours per year. It's 9-5 and no weekends.

 

Yeah...I work with Microsoft consultants and they are making over $150 per hour doing work on cloud solutions for the fed government...

 

I get PMs asking about certification...So here goes...

To start get the basics: Security +, Network +, A+, and Server +....You can do these on your own thru the comptia web site...Download the overview and google the information, create your own studyguide or find one on-line that someone else has created. The tests are not difficult...If you can only get one - get Security+. It allows you to work as an System Admin on federal government / DoD computer systems.

CCNA - essential if you want to get into networking...Again, there are plenty of materials on-line and a boot camp then test will get you certified in 2-3 weeks. You'll need experience, but once you get in the game you can pick up the skills on the job.

CCNA voice / security - get these to be more employable and security certifications never hurt...Voice over IP - same thing...

Red Hat - if you don't want to get into microsoft system administration Red Hat is the OS of choice for fed gov / DoD.

VMWare - with everything moving to the cloud and being virtualized...Any level of understanding / hands on work with VMWare will be essential.

CISSP - higher level system security , Info Assurance, cyber security work will require a CISSP.

CEH - to do penetration testing , etc...Easy test and worth it to have on the resume...

I've got the MCITP Enterprise Admin, Security+, CISSP, CCNA, Server +, CEH, and VCP 5. Plus, a lot of hands on DISA telecommunications / network engineering / troubleshooting experience and DoD cryptographic device maintenance training thru USAF and advanced training thru Central Security Service.

 

Depending on your experience your, the agency/branch your pay will vary...Most GS 14 or 15 positions (or their equals in the pay band) require senior management level experience. Most of the 14 / 15 jobs involve considerable policy work, management of people/assets, providing IT direction to an organization...Sometimes (SOF community being a good example) will have position at this level where a very specific skill set / background is needed and in order to attract they have to pay at a higher salary that the GS 9 - 12 rate.


I'll put more down later...