For the information tech/developers, what did you do before EAS to prepare yourself? Is there anything you wish you had done?

Find someone with this background on linked in and ask for an informational interview. 15 minutes by phone with all your questions.

My experience is from a long time ago but if you need any help or have any transition questions I might be able to help you. First I was enlisted so I went to college first after discharge and I did not have a college degree. Second been in IT as one type of a developer or system integrator since 1991. Don't think your Infantry background holds you back (it doesn't). I have seen Infantryman go on to become writers, IT folks, Locomotive Engineers, Independent Businessmen, etc. The next few years is also an excellent time to transition to Information Technology. So the very first thing you need to do is set a goal here, what do you want with your first employer. Write it down on paper. For example what industry do you want to work in? What specific position interests you? Do you want to be a Developer, Architect.........or be a Manager? What job benefits are important to you: Pension, 401k, Full Healthcare, Tuition reimbursement, etc. Would you rather be at a start-up and sacrifice benefits or be at an established company. Work at large company or small? What is your college degree in and how does it fit? I can tell you with your Military rank they are going to try and steer you towards Management or Project Management. As an Infantry LT you probably were given some administrative tasks that relate to Project Management and can be setup that way on your resume. Your probably going to have to take some college level or Technical School courses but WHAT courses you take depend on what your goals are. From a developer / system integration perspective. Packaged Software like SAP, PeopleSoft, Oracle..........pays more then open source software like Java, Visual Basic dot net , etc. But you really need the open sourced stuff to know how to integrate the Packaged Software. So that should be on your list of wants........Starting Salary and does pay mean more to you than being a developer in a language of your choosing? So like I said write all that stuff out and see what your goals are first. Second develop a training plan to fill in the gaps or lack of experience. Infantry is a busy MOS, BTDT BUT what is great for you is most programming languages offer Computer Based Training that is self directed and can be done in your own free time on you laptop. So again your Infantry Branch is not holding you back....just your motivation would be. Also, no matter where you are stationed in the Marines, there are IT user groups setup for Java Programmers (just getting started and advanced) that are willing to help you. Also MEET-UP groups (via GOOGLE) to explain career fields to you like SAP, Big Data Analytics, Data Scientist, Cyber-Security, etc. Your Marine background will also help you a lot for IT positions that require an expensive background check or Top Security Clearance and if you want my opininon there............go with a Private Company that contracts for government work versus hiring with the government directly. You absolutely do not have to worry about job security in IT, someone will always want to hire you.....so a government job will frustrate the hell out of you. If you go with a company that services the government on a contract you can always transfer to a non-governmental area. I thought it would be cool to work at the Army again as a civilian after ETS. Spent two years at USAREC at Fort Knox (Army Recruiting Command), very nice people and very low stress but everything moved glacially slow technology and project wise and it drove me freakin batty.......after two years I was begging for a transfer out of there. That is how it is with most government work. However, now I am on another government support job with a private company and saving the taxpayer millions..... and I love it for the tremendous sense of accomplishment it gives me. So I guess it depends with government work. So once you have everything written down and know kind of what areas you want to get into or need anymore input just PM me and I will see what I can do to help.

[~637060:1stLt Caleb Agular : I so wish I could help you out, Lieutenant. Maybe someone else on Rally Point knows the answer to your question. I hope and I Pray that you are enjoying your weekend, Sir. -Most Sincerely, Margaret