Medical Evaluation Board (less then 6 months out) Job Search and Employment Hunting in Tampa,FL

SPC Christopher Salustro — Wed, 13 May 2015 16:19:22 -0400

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

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 13 at 2015 4:22 PM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Wed, 13 May 2015 16:22:05 -0400

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?

Response by SGT James Elphick made May 13 at 2015 4:40 PM

SGT James Elphick — Wed, 13 May 2015 16:40:17 -0400

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.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2015 4:44 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 May 2015 16:44:36 -0400

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?

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made May 13 at 2015 6:42 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Wed, 13 May 2015 18:42:18 -0400

You might have to reconsider location. Jobs in the StLouis area with National Geodpacial Intelligence Agency show up on USAJobs sometimes. Also expect there are opportunities in Northern Virginia both public and private sector. Talk with contractors in your current work environment.

Good luck!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2015 12:40 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 May 2015 12:40:12 -0400

If you are wanting to jump into the IT field, there is a school with 3 locations in the Tampa area that is called New Horizons Computer Learning Center. They help you gain experience and certifications. I went there although I am a 25B, there were a lot of people going thru the coarse with no experience in IT. New Horizons uses 4 months of your Post 9/11 and I would say that it is a good deal. You learn A+, Net+, Sec+, CCNA R/S and multiple Microsoft coarses. They will give you 2 vouchers to take the exam. Once you are certified, they will help you find a job with lifetime employment services.

Response by MSgt Aaron Brite made May 14 at 2015 1:04 PM

MSgt Aaron Brite — Thu, 14 May 2015 13:04:36 -0400

I've dealt with a company out of that area that ia heavily into IT, CACI. They support the USAF EESOH-MIS system among other projects.
Enterprise environmental safety ocupational health management information system.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 16 at 2015 2:53 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 16 May 2015 14:53:50 -0400

Did you get your VA percentage?

Response by SSgt David Howard made Feb 17 at 2016 12:58 PM

SSgt David Howard — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 12:58:40 -0500

Have you read AR 635-40 chapter 4 - 19 k, 38 CFR Chapter 4, check for each of your impairments