June 1, 2010, 8:04 pm
I'm close to retiring from the Air Force and will be settling down in Seattle with my beautiful wife and 3 year old daughter. Naturally I'm a little anxious about the transition and trying to prepare for it... After living financiallly modest ($35k/a year) thoughout my 20 year military career, I want my second career pay in the IT-field to hopefully reach the six figures range (mainly to repay my wife for sticking by me through all the hardships). I bring the following to the table...
Experience:
20 years AF retired (15 yrs Systems Analyst(IT) / 5 years Logistics)
5 tours in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom & Enduring Freedom
Security Clearance
NCOIC or in charge of Computer Operations
Ran an IT Helpdesk, MS applications(Excel, ACCESS, PPT,etc), Windows 9x, NT, 2000, Vista, SQL server, Active Directory, RFID, FTP, mainframes, LAN topographies and architecture, build databases with eyes closed, etc
Education:
Master of Business Administration
MS, Technology Management(specializing Information Sys & Services)
BS, Management Information Systems
AAS, Information Systems Technology
Certifications
Graduate Certificate, Project Management
With that said I have a couple of questions...
I'm looking to become an IT Manager/Director with an eventual eye on CIO. First, what kind of IT job should I be focusing on to get me in the door when I begin my IT job search in Seattle? Second, given what I'm leaving the military with (education, experience, etc) what should be a realistic pay range for me to expect to start out with?
I'm looking for employment OTHER than government-related to include Boeing, etc.
With this upcoming major transition for my family and I, any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.