PeterZ
Senior Member
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2006
- Messages
- 1,290
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Appleman - Your son on the Geek Squad should check out the opportunities with the Federal Government.. They are desperate for IT people. I started a year ago as a contractor to the Navy (probably at 2 to 3x what your son makes on the Geek Squad), and am now in the process of converting to a GS gov't employee, at 55 - 70% more than I am making now.
If he is willing to relocate, and might want to go overseas for a few years, the opportunities are immense. Getting hired by the Feds is a long and painful process (the group I work for advised me of their intent to convert my position from contractor to GS late last year), but once in you get preferred consideration for other jobs and locations. If he could add a CISSP certification to his minor in networking he could get a job with the Navy under the DON2210-H (Internet Security) cert at a minimum of GS-11 (starting pay $52,912 minimum). How would he like to work in Naples, Italy or Rota, Spain for a few years?
BTW - my best friend at work does something similar to what you do, but not with homes. His specialty is the design and construction supervision of black Southern Baptist Churches, and he is one of the most respected in the area. He started when he designed a new church for his own congregation. He took it to a RA firm to be certified, and has been working with them for over 20 years now. He draws the plans and does the estimate, they do the mechanicals, and if the project is approved, he does the inspections and approves the contractor's draws. I think he makes almost as much at that as he does at his job. He'll probably retire soon - he will be eligible in two years (at 57) and just do that full time.
If he is willing to relocate, and might want to go overseas for a few years, the opportunities are immense. Getting hired by the Feds is a long and painful process (the group I work for advised me of their intent to convert my position from contractor to GS late last year), but once in you get preferred consideration for other jobs and locations. If he could add a CISSP certification to his minor in networking he could get a job with the Navy under the DON2210-H (Internet Security) cert at a minimum of GS-11 (starting pay $52,912 minimum). How would he like to work in Naples, Italy or Rota, Spain for a few years?
BTW - my best friend at work does something similar to what you do, but not with homes. His specialty is the design and construction supervision of black Southern Baptist Churches, and he is one of the most respected in the area. He started when he designed a new church for his own congregation. He took it to a RA firm to be certified, and has been working with them for over 20 years now. He draws the plans and does the estimate, they do the mechanicals, and if the project is approved, he does the inspections and approves the contractor's draws. I think he makes almost as much at that as he does at his job. He'll probably retire soon - he will be eligible in two years (at 57) and just do that full time.