Posted on Oct 16, 2014
Retired infantry to computer programming? How should I plan for future jobs?
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22 years of Active Duty as an Infantryman. I have a physically limiting back issue, but I can still get around pretty good. Im attending college for a BS for computer science at Rutgers University. I held a TS SCI/w poly last year when I retired. I am looking to make 50 - 60k annually after taxes to stay afloat. I am self taught in the computer field without certs. I am 2 years away from achieving my degree. Im not looking for a progressive driven career, but I am always looking to improve myself. My question is: What positions would I qualify for, OTHER than security guard/prison guard, police or retail management? I have Objective Oriented Program completed, Python, A+, C++, SQL and LINUX. All courses successfully completed in my degree process. I only have an AA in General Studies, but as I said, I am currently pursuing my degree in CS. All of my job experience is management and Infantry related. I was approached by overseas security management contractors, but the family wont have it. What would you do?
My assessment looking outside in would be to stay the course, what do you think?
Thanks
My assessment looking outside in would be to stay the course, what do you think?
Thanks
Career Advice
Employment
Veterans Employment Representative
Employment Management (HRCI/PHR)
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 5
Computer programming skills are in very high demand.
If you enjoy programming...
You should stick with your 4 year degree. You will have many career options after that. Ideally, you will then find an employer that is looking for a programmer that after proving himself, can also become a project manager, given your vast management experience. You're talking about highly valuable skill sets here. Don't let yourself get distracted with short term security work, as that will only make future employers question whether programming is really for you. Start building a portfolio of your work on github or similar. Showcase your personal work on there. Contract on the side to work with businesses. The more you can show for skills beyond the classroom the better off you will be.
If you don't enjoy programming...
I would suggest a fresh look at everything. Browse RallyPoint for other retired infantry NCOs and see what they're doing. If something looks interesting, connect with them to learn more about their field. Based on the fact that you self-taught in computer science, then I'm guessing it's something you enjoy. If you do, you will be successful. If not, don't force it.
Here is a link to a RallyPoint search result for other retired Infantry Senior Sergeants (we have almost 500 of them). You can connect with those that you find in an interesting position and learn more from their experience. Good luck!
http://rly.pt/1wOdIEx
If you enjoy programming...
You should stick with your 4 year degree. You will have many career options after that. Ideally, you will then find an employer that is looking for a programmer that after proving himself, can also become a project manager, given your vast management experience. You're talking about highly valuable skill sets here. Don't let yourself get distracted with short term security work, as that will only make future employers question whether programming is really for you. Start building a portfolio of your work on github or similar. Showcase your personal work on there. Contract on the side to work with businesses. The more you can show for skills beyond the classroom the better off you will be.
If you don't enjoy programming...
I would suggest a fresh look at everything. Browse RallyPoint for other retired infantry NCOs and see what they're doing. If something looks interesting, connect with them to learn more about their field. Based on the fact that you self-taught in computer science, then I'm guessing it's something you enjoy. If you do, you will be successful. If not, don't force it.
Here is a link to a RallyPoint search result for other retired Infantry Senior Sergeants (we have almost 500 of them). You can connect with those that you find in an interesting position and learn more from their experience. Good luck!
http://rly.pt/1wOdIEx
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MAJ (Join to see)
I'm going to branch off from some of LTC Yinon Weiss's comments here, but this is directed at you, SFC (Join to see).
\\Ideally, you will then find an employer that is looking for a programmer that after proving himself, can also become a project manager, given your vast management experience.\\
While this is true, be careful:
-- It sounds strange, but software project management is different from most other management, and *notably* different from military leadership/management. As someone who's a senior developer and a software PM, I can tell you I was shocked how much so. Some people can make that switch and adapt, while others struggle, so just be aware.
-- Coming out with the college degree, you will be a junior developer. You will need to progress your skills to at least being a solid mid-level developer before most places will trust you with PM, and often they only look at their senior devs. If you work for the Government, formally or as a contractor, this trend goes from a common element to a near-immutable law.
-- Make sure you know the tools of the trade for Software PM in particular. Understand Agile Development (not just what it means, but into the weeds), Test-Driven Development, and so on. Know the defining features of Scrum and how to do a sprint and iteration. OOP is a good start, but ensure you also understand principles like Inversion of Control, the Factory method, et cetera.
And in general:
-- Get good with using Source Control. Get *damn* good with it. Know how to use Git. Know how to use Team Foundation Server. If you do (or will do) any work on Windows, get a copy of Visual Studio (the Professional/Ultimate versions are often free through the schools) and get familiar with the interface. Integrate them with Git and/or TFS (both have free online versions: GitHub and Visual Studio Online). Know how to manage checkin/checkout, branch/merge, and know what branches you should have (at a minimum: main/dev/release) and why.
-- Learn how to use the tools that assist you in managing the projects already. TFS enthusiasts like it in part because it has Backlog, Work-Item, and Bug trackers built in, as well as sprint/iteration/burndown managers (ironically, Git enthusiasts often like it because it's *only* source control, but that means they need a different PM tracker).
-- Build a portfolio as you go. And don't just put in things you're doing for the job, but side-projects or things you did just to experiment/learn as you go. Curate it, yes, but first you have to have something in there to curate.
\\Start building a portfolio of your work on github or similar. Showcase your personal work on there.\\
For software work, online Source Control can be a powerful new kind of portfolio, so make sure you really appreciate what MAJ Weiss is suggesting.
Instead of just giving employers a list of "I worked on X", places like GitHub offer you the ability to show the actual guts of what you can produce. Not just the end result, mind you, but the way you achieved it in the code. That can often say a considerable amount about your skills both as a programmer *and* as a Software PM.
I heartily endorse this suggestion, and make sure the link to it is advertized in both your resume and on professional pages like LinkedIn (if you have one). Also, *only* put stuff on there that you would want to use as a resume -- otherwise keep it out of view.
\\Ideally, you will then find an employer that is looking for a programmer that after proving himself, can also become a project manager, given your vast management experience.\\
While this is true, be careful:
-- It sounds strange, but software project management is different from most other management, and *notably* different from military leadership/management. As someone who's a senior developer and a software PM, I can tell you I was shocked how much so. Some people can make that switch and adapt, while others struggle, so just be aware.
-- Coming out with the college degree, you will be a junior developer. You will need to progress your skills to at least being a solid mid-level developer before most places will trust you with PM, and often they only look at their senior devs. If you work for the Government, formally or as a contractor, this trend goes from a common element to a near-immutable law.
-- Make sure you know the tools of the trade for Software PM in particular. Understand Agile Development (not just what it means, but into the weeds), Test-Driven Development, and so on. Know the defining features of Scrum and how to do a sprint and iteration. OOP is a good start, but ensure you also understand principles like Inversion of Control, the Factory method, et cetera.
And in general:
-- Get good with using Source Control. Get *damn* good with it. Know how to use Git. Know how to use Team Foundation Server. If you do (or will do) any work on Windows, get a copy of Visual Studio (the Professional/Ultimate versions are often free through the schools) and get familiar with the interface. Integrate them with Git and/or TFS (both have free online versions: GitHub and Visual Studio Online). Know how to manage checkin/checkout, branch/merge, and know what branches you should have (at a minimum: main/dev/release) and why.
-- Learn how to use the tools that assist you in managing the projects already. TFS enthusiasts like it in part because it has Backlog, Work-Item, and Bug trackers built in, as well as sprint/iteration/burndown managers (ironically, Git enthusiasts often like it because it's *only* source control, but that means they need a different PM tracker).
-- Build a portfolio as you go. And don't just put in things you're doing for the job, but side-projects or things you did just to experiment/learn as you go. Curate it, yes, but first you have to have something in there to curate.
\\Start building a portfolio of your work on github or similar. Showcase your personal work on there.\\
For software work, online Source Control can be a powerful new kind of portfolio, so make sure you really appreciate what MAJ Weiss is suggesting.
Instead of just giving employers a list of "I worked on X", places like GitHub offer you the ability to show the actual guts of what you can produce. Not just the end result, mind you, but the way you achieved it in the code. That can often say a considerable amount about your skills both as a programmer *and* as a Software PM.
I heartily endorse this suggestion, and make sure the link to it is advertized in both your resume and on professional pages like LinkedIn (if you have one). Also, *only* put stuff on there that you would want to use as a resume -- otherwise keep it out of view.
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SFC (Join to see)
Well said, thanks. I was in Ft. Meade for a little while working with the NSA and FBI in their Global Positioning Tracking Program with SIOC. I was lucky enough to be an NSA badge holder also. Unfortunately I had to move away for family reasons now I can use all of your advisement and stay the course. I will definitely be modifying my resume/ portfolio as I progress. Thanks.
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SFC (Join to see) , RP has just partnered with Network Technology Academy whose aim is to is to give veterans the skills to qualify for high level technology opportunities that cannot easily be outsourced overseas. This is am excellent organization that is very well accredited and has a central focus on helping veterans and transitioning service members gain certification for employment in computer programming. The GI Bill benefit will pay nearly 100% of the tuition. You will also receive a housing allowance while in training, a book allowance and a certification test allowance. Check out their page in our Education Corner here: https://www.rallypoint.com/organizations/ntai-network-technology-academy-institution/overview. You can also check in with RP member CPT John Wilson who runs the veterans program there.
Network Technology Academy Institution | RallyPoint
Network Technology Academy Institution
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State government has positions available for Employment Services especially For Veterans Services. Your knowledge and level of expertise and years of services referring soldiers to all the community support services in a military Community would give you the requires skills to perform the job of a Disabled Veteran Outreach Provider (DVOP or a Local Vetereran Employment Representative (LVER). These are Federally trained positions where state employment agencies would send you to get federally Certified to help other vets gain employment and help communities and businesses gain Veteran employees. These same agencies need Computer savy personnel to keep their systems operational.
Good luck!
Good luck!
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