Posted on May 13, 2015
Medical Evaluation Board (less then 6 months out) Job Search and Employment Hunting in Tampa,FL
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I'm MEBing out of the Active Duty Army, and after my transition I'm looking to move back to my hometown of Tampa, FL (or around that area). Currently my MOS of 12Y (Geospatial Engineer) gave me (which is still active) a Top Secret Clearance (with SCI caveats).
I've gone through the TAPS (ACAP) offices and programs, and have a solid resume built. I've created profiles (and uploaded my resume) on almost every "Job Board" I could think of and have been told of. Indeed, Clearance Jobs, USA Jobs, to name a few.
My question to the community is two-fold. First, if anyone has any contacts down in the Tampa/Lakeland, Florida area, I would love to get in touch with them. Second, is there anything else I NEED to do other than what I have?
UPDATE: Planning on attending USF (hopefully) for the Fall semester and majoring in Computer Science. I would like to be into something IT related as I'm fairly talented on computers (something Network related/Security related), I'm currently working on my A+ certification, Security Plus Cert, and Network + cert. through the Wounded Warrior Project to hopefully propel me into the IT field. If I have to stay GIS (which wouldn't be horrible) I can/would. Though I really don't feel like it's going to be a long-term success. As in, I'm about 90% sure I'm not going to try for a GIS degree, which as stated below, probably won't get me far.
Also, it truly does not matter what sector the job is in. i.e Federal, Private Sector so forth.
Thanks in advance for you responses!
v/r
SPC Christopher Salustro
I've gone through the TAPS (ACAP) offices and programs, and have a solid resume built. I've created profiles (and uploaded my resume) on almost every "Job Board" I could think of and have been told of. Indeed, Clearance Jobs, USA Jobs, to name a few.
My question to the community is two-fold. First, if anyone has any contacts down in the Tampa/Lakeland, Florida area, I would love to get in touch with them. Second, is there anything else I NEED to do other than what I have?
UPDATE: Planning on attending USF (hopefully) for the Fall semester and majoring in Computer Science. I would like to be into something IT related as I'm fairly talented on computers (something Network related/Security related), I'm currently working on my A+ certification, Security Plus Cert, and Network + cert. through the Wounded Warrior Project to hopefully propel me into the IT field. If I have to stay GIS (which wouldn't be horrible) I can/would. Though I really don't feel like it's going to be a long-term success. As in, I'm about 90% sure I'm not going to try for a GIS degree, which as stated below, probably won't get me far.
Also, it truly does not matter what sector the job is in. i.e Federal, Private Sector so forth.
Thanks in advance for you responses!
v/r
SPC Christopher Salustro
Posted in these groups: 
Medical Board
Security Clearance
12Y: Geospatial Engineer
91M: Bradley Fighting Vehicle System Maintainer
Transition
Medical Board Security Clearance 12Y: Geospatial Engineer 91M: Bradley Fighting Vehicle System Maintainer Transition
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 8
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In all likelihood if you wish to stay in your current job field on the civilian side you are going to need to get civilian education to back up what you have learned already. Also, if you have the post 9/11 GI Bill it makes sense, it pays you to go to school, don't let that go to waste.
Second, posting your resume to a job board isn't really going to get you anywhere. In the current economy you have to be even more proactive and apply to jobs. Furthermore, once you see a job posting on a job board, DO NOT use the job board as your means of applying, it likely won't get through. Go to the company's website and apply there.
If you are not sure what you want to do, again, school is a great option while you figure that out. If you get to feeling lost search around for local veteran groups and resources in your area, they will be able to help you out too.
Second, posting your resume to a job board isn't really going to get you anywhere. In the current economy you have to be even more proactive and apply to jobs. Furthermore, once you see a job posting on a job board, DO NOT use the job board as your means of applying, it likely won't get through. Go to the company's website and apply there.
If you are not sure what you want to do, again, school is a great option while you figure that out. If you get to feeling lost search around for local veteran groups and resources in your area, they will be able to help you out too.
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SPC (Join to see)
SGT James Elphick Great post. A few caveats, if I may:
In my experience, James is dead-on regarding the usefulness of online boards. You can get lucky, but likely it won't be the job you're looking for. Local job boards (workintexas.com for my area) serve their purpose of connecting employers to job-seekers well enough, though rarely do the employers you're looking for post here, especially for in-demand jobs (these positions seem to be filled as quickly as they open). Indeed.com and the like are more for employers to find candidates for contract or temp work. E.G. I've started a part-time position with HP selling computer components. I just happen to have the base-line knowledge they're looking for based on my resume (learned through casual research). They contacted me initially, with info from Indeed.com. You see where I'm going with this.
TL:DR job boards can work for you, but you're not going to be happy unless you're just looking for a (small) paycheck.
In my experience, James is dead-on regarding the usefulness of online boards. You can get lucky, but likely it won't be the job you're looking for. Local job boards (workintexas.com for my area) serve their purpose of connecting employers to job-seekers well enough, though rarely do the employers you're looking for post here, especially for in-demand jobs (these positions seem to be filled as quickly as they open). Indeed.com and the like are more for employers to find candidates for contract or temp work. E.G. I've started a part-time position with HP selling computer components. I just happen to have the base-line knowledge they're looking for based on my resume (learned through casual research). They contacted me initially, with info from Indeed.com. You see where I'm going with this.
TL:DR job boards can work for you, but you're not going to be happy unless you're just looking for a (small) paycheck.
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SPC Christopher Salustro
As for my specific jobs, that's what I've had trouble on. I'd love to stay in our field, but I think I'd love the IT "side of the house" much more. I'm planning [to answer SPC Kyle Kinas' question] to attend college (hopefully at USF) and major in Computer Science with my Post 9/11 GI bill.
The issue I'm having is I have all these skills but no specific Job Title to paste them under. It's almost overwhelming.
(I'm updating my original post to reflect my response here and to GySgt Ekblad)
The issue I'm having is I have all these skills but no specific Job Title to paste them under. It's almost overwhelming.
(I'm updating my original post to reflect my response here and to GySgt Ekblad)
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SGT James Elphick
So if you are going to school why are you looking for a full-time job too? Also, don't worry about skills you don't have a job to put them under. You can have a "summary of qualifications" section on your resume to address skills. The bullets under your jobs should show accomplishments.
Edit: Just read in another post that you have a wife, so supporting a family can be an issue. However, there are many ways to do that as a student that don't require loans or full-time employment. Know that you still qualify for Pell Grants, and look for VA work-study positions, they pay minimum wage but it is tax free.
Edit: Just read in another post that you have a wife, so supporting a family can be an issue. However, there are many ways to do that as a student that don't require loans or full-time employment. Know that you still qualify for Pell Grants, and look for VA work-study positions, they pay minimum wage but it is tax free.
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Can't really help as to your employment in that area, but I am curious on a couple of points, as they're related to my current (hopeful) career path. We're being faced with the same kinds of challenges I think:
A quick look into the field seems to suggest that employers are going to be looking for a degree to work in that field. Your profile is not public (good for you). What is your academic background? Have you earned/are you working toward degrees in the field? (you probably should)
As GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad inquired, what are your thoughts regarding specific jobs you're looking for?
A quick look into the field seems to suggest that employers are going to be looking for a degree to work in that field. Your profile is not public (good for you). What is your academic background? Have you earned/are you working toward degrees in the field? (you probably should)
As GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad inquired, what are your thoughts regarding specific jobs you're looking for?
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SPC (Join to see)
"Geospatial Analysts in the United States take home an average $64K per year" (payscale.com) You don't consider this to be a long-term success? You must be one of the smart ones.
I am not, and $64 thousand is a pipe-dream.
It's been said that veterans come out of the services with unrealistic expectations. Don't let this be you. Or aim for the stars, IDK.
SPC Christopher Salustro
I am not, and $64 thousand is a pipe-dream.
It's been said that veterans come out of the services with unrealistic expectations. Don't let this be you. Or aim for the stars, IDK.
SPC Christopher Salustro
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SPC Christopher Salustro
Thank for the response, it's not that I don't think that the GIS career path wouldn't be profitable, GIS Techs make around 84K a year (meadian) throughout he US (http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/15-1199.05#WagesEmployment)
I just don't think that job is for me. I'd like to do something like Computer information and systems technician. Not specifically that but it's one of the job titles I've narrowed it down to.
Not to "toot my own horn" but I consider myself to be fairly smart. I can do practically whatever I would like within reason if I put my mind to it. To respond to your other question, I don't think I've set my sights too high. I think I'm being realistic, in not coming out of the service asking for 100K starting salary. I would however enjoy a salary at least equivalent to what I'm making now. I would think I can do better though, considering I'd have to pay for insurance and other out of the pocket expenses that the army used to provide.
I just don't think that job is for me. I'd like to do something like Computer information and systems technician. Not specifically that but it's one of the job titles I've narrowed it down to.
Not to "toot my own horn" but I consider myself to be fairly smart. I can do practically whatever I would like within reason if I put my mind to it. To respond to your other question, I don't think I've set my sights too high. I think I'm being realistic, in not coming out of the service asking for 100K starting salary. I would however enjoy a salary at least equivalent to what I'm making now. I would think I can do better though, considering I'd have to pay for insurance and other out of the pocket expenses that the army used to provide.
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SPC (Join to see)
"salary at least equivalent to what I'm making now", As did I. You'll need some schooling first, me thinks. Best of luck. Keep us updated.
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SPC Christopher Salustro
Will do bud, totally agree with the schooling assessment. It seems most others have the same point of view as well.
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Are you looking for a specific position (not clear from your post)? Are you looking to work for the federal government, local government, private sector --- does it matter?
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SPC Christopher Salustro
GySgt Ekblad,
I'm not looking for anything specific in relation to if it's Federal, State (Government), or Private sector work. Any and all are fine for me.
I'm not looking for anything specific in relation to if it's Federal, State (Government), or Private sector work. Any and all are fine for me.
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