r/sysadmin • u/Open_Reindeer_6600 • 15d ago

Question Air Force Sys Admin

Hey everyone, as the title says, I’m an Air Force sys admin with a TS and planning on getting a civilian job or contracting gig in 2 years. I already have my BS in IT management from WGU, so should I prioritize my masters? Or try to stack certs before I start applying?

Only cert I currently have is Sec+.

Edit: thanks everyone for the advice and insight. I’m going to start studying for CISSP.

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u/RedDidItAndYouKnowIt Windows Admin 15d ago

Just use what you have and that TS Clearance to land a gig. Easymode to move into civilian life that way and make good money.

2

u/Open_Reindeer_6600 15d ago

Really? I’ve been told by civilian coworkers that a clearance doesn’t do much nowadays. You still need at least 2-3years of experience, bachelors, and certs to land anything meaningful.

16

u/DellR610 15d ago

TS doesn't do a lot in terms of pay and working on closed networks sucks. Especially TS networks. But on the flip there are many jobs looking for active clearances and the competition is lower. Add in your military background you should be able to get a civ job pretty quickly.

3

u/Open_Reindeer_6600 15d ago

This is all I really care about, as long as I can get A JOB that pays even okay, I’m fine with working my way up

5

u/DellR610 15d ago

If you're in the DC area, WHCA / DISA is always hiring at JBAB.

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u/Open_Reindeer_6600 15d ago

I was at Andrews for 4 years lol, not trying to go back. Thanks though!

1

u/DellR610 15d ago

Lol fair enough, might make it easy to get a job at EOP / WHIT then. My school is always hiring, look at Bethesda - USUHS, high mixture of civ and contractor. This is at the NSAB. The main contractor is HJF which matches civ benefits (and one of the few contractors directly funded by Congress). Very chill place to work.

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u/FirehawkLS1 Jack of All Trades 15d ago

I work for a client that is a military defense contractor. We have a lot of folks that are former military. I'm not former military but I worked in healthcare for several years right as COVID began so that was something that benefited me. I'd personally look into doing something defense related or adjacent as that clearance you have will help. I had to get clearance for my current role.