Steve Gets A Life

careers vs jobs

i have a job right now, not a career. ive noticed the difference this weekend. went to a party down here in Redlands, populated mostly by Andria's highschool friends. i went through the whole "hi im steve, i do computer work, etc" thing. what i found myself saying was stuff like "oh, i just do IT stuff" or "no, i dont really use my degree(s)."

so what the hell. i talked it over with andria (which always helps) and came up with the fact that i need to think about getting a real job. id really like to get into the security buisness, which basically means looking for a job with the government. which likely means moving to DC or VA. which is strange.

i mean, should i go for the FBI/CIA crazy security thing? am i right for that kind of work? would they even look at me? i mean i expect they get a lot of applicaints from Ivy League, etc. why would they choose a guy who slid through UCIV? (err SB).
so then, what about private firms, doing internal security? hard to get into. basically you cant get an entry-level job doing security for a company. gotta find some kind of security-consulting firm. the only ones i know of are counterpane and ... hm. well there are plenty of groups but i dont know about actual companies.

and what about experience? do i need to start learning the intricacies (sp) and specifics of virii / encryption algorithms / remote exploits / intrusion detection systems? id like to think i know a thing or two about all of those, but not down to the nitty-gritty. but i know guys (well, one or two) that do. what are they doing? getting their PhDs. should i do that? i got an offer. i totally could go back. i mean, the door is open, but i dont think i want to go in.

anyways. the idea is that i need to just keep working this job till andria graduates. the only reason why i work there is convenience until she is done with school. i mean its a good job, but its just not my thing i dont think. i cant imagine being 35 replacing toner on the damn hp2500 laser printer all day.

or i could just open up a bike shop.

Posted by Steve on November 28, 2003 05:35 PM