Ask A Spook! Cryptologic Questions

[CTR3(IW/SG) Freddie]

What degree would you recommend to compliment a CTR to better himself for a civilian job?

[FlyNavy]

Originally Posted by FSSparks

What degree would you recommend to compliment a CTR to better himself for a civilian job?

It depends on what you want to do as a civillian. If you want to stay within that CTR type of role, then you're going to be looking pretty much at federal work. So specializing in any kind of electronics (understand further how comms equipment works) or even going into networking or computer engineering would be a big plus. The biggest plus for you though will be having a clearance already and having intelligence experience. The degree will just be a formality mostly unless you plan on doing something super specific.

If you're going to do something else then really all you need is something oriented to your new field.

/r
CTT1

[CTR3(IW/SG) Freddie]

How often do you get requests to leave the navy to join a civilian job. My recruiter talks about head hunters that go after people in the navy that have security clearances and different types of qualifications like they are a monthly thing.

[FlyNavy]

Originally Posted by FSSparks

How often do you get requests to leave the navy to join a civilian job. My recruiter talks about head hunters that go after people in the navy that have security clearances and different types of qualifications like they are a monthly thing.

It depends where you work. If you're at a shore site that you're constantly surrounded by civilian contractors, then its fairly common as you come up on the end of your contract. Since these are the guys you've been working with anyway, it makes sense for those companies to do that rather than hire and train someone new.

If you're on a ship or at a squadron, then typically you will need to go looking for them, as you have less civilian exposure.

There are plenty of places online to put your resume though if you're looking for a job that requires clearance. Those are great places to look as well as just using your own network of contacts that you'll pick up.

/r
CTT1

[CTR3(IW/SG) Freddie]

Are the salaries they offer competitive?

[FlyNavy]

Originally Posted by FSSparks

Are the salaries they offer competitive?

Contractor jobs pay pretty well depending on what you're doing. Don't expect something ridiculous like 6 figures to start off or anything. But having military experience and a clearance, then going contractor, and working your way up (like a normal civilian company) can end up paying quite a bit after a few years on the job. It only goes up the longer you stay and the more experience and qualifications you have.

/r
CTT1