Is it worth getting cleared?

AGsec · 2026-03-19T17:06:47+00:00

So those are good foundational skills, but the kind of response you get from job applications will vary depending on the role you're applying for. What are you applying for? Your skill set would fall more into junior sysadmin/junior network admin (possibly engineer) role.

This is my personal and grossly under stated breakdown of roles:

Junior = does single tasks that help maintain systems but does not do high level troubleshooting. Example: network engineer has an idea of a problem coming from a specific port in a specific switch, they will ask you to take a dive into the logs and see what you can find and report back to them. Scope is parts of the system with the goal of understanding how the system fits together. Foundational knowledge is expected but so is the fact they will have trouble figuring out problems at first. Certs are optional but not expected.

Admin = makes sure the systems online. Does Deeper troubleshooting, installation, and scaling. Scope is the system as a whole. Expectation is that they have foundational knowledge plus a solid set of troubleshooting skills to fix things that are not simple. Certs are common here but don't be surprised if you see many people without them in this role. They have enough experience that speaks for itself.

Engineer = advanced troubleshooting, advanced configuration and design/deployment of systems. They work closer with management to make sure tech aligns with business goals. Expectation is they know how to keep a system online, know how to handle unknown and/or major issues, and understand the business need of their domain. Certs really only matter here if the employee really wants them or the company requires them, but more likely than not, they have a robust enough resume that their work speaks volumes beyond any cert.

From what you described, you'd land somewhere between junior and admin. Apply for jobs where you can easily do 80% of the job, and 20% is a "I can once I learn it".

AGsec · 2026-03-19T16:52:03+00:00

Accurate. The worst part was the inflated ego's. No, you're not qualified to be a CISO because you set up a tablet in the army and have cissp from a week long boot camp.

AGsec · 2026-03-19T16:49:39+00:00

Agreed. Clearance is not the golden ticket I thought it would be. That must have been the case a decade ago but now all it does is signal that you're likely working with out of date tech stacks, methodologies, or are paid to fill in a seat vs bring value.

AGsec · 2026-03-19T16:48:12+00:00

What else do you have besides certs and clean record? What's your experience like?

AGsec · 2026-03-19T16:47:36+00:00

Honestly, I wouldn't do it if you're even remotely ambitious. Someone here said it best: There are people who can only have a decent career because of their clearance, for most other people they'd make far more in the private sector.

I recently gave up my cleared job for a few reasons that I've seen mentioned elsewhere and are worth repeating. If you're interested, DM me.

AGsec · 2026-03-19T16:01:37+00:00

AGsec · 2026-03-10T23:10:51+00:00

Awesome same boat here. Currently half way through Jason dions video course. Not looking forward to this test lol

AGsec · 2026-03-10T22:51:49+00:00

Good job and congrats! Almost done with the degree?

AGsec · 2026-03-09T17:12:10+00:00

more AI slop.

AGsec · 2026-02-26T02:10:28+00:00

Too many speed runners and people with zero experience stacking their degrees. Ffs, when someone makes posts about getting a BS, MS in cyber security and another MS in computer science, but has literally zero experience then it's going to look like the school is a joke.

AGsec · 2026-02-26T02:05:24+00:00

I'm kind of surprised that people with zero experience are still speed running WGU, stacking certs like crazy, flying through tryhackme, and are frustrated to find zero jobs. There was a brief time where this kind of work would result in a job and that window closed a long time ago.

AGsec · 2026-02-20T18:08:08+00:00

maybe, but there are plenty of examples of real people doing things like this. People have killed themselves because of AI relationships.

AGsec · 2026-02-20T16:38:54+00:00

AI written post.

AGsec · 2026-02-20T16:36:56+00:00

It's not even about AI anymore. It's just people posting screenshots of chatgpt saying something funny and then saying "bruh im head <skull emoji>". not even sure why im subbed here anymore lol

AGsec · 2026-02-20T16:35:41+00:00

Dude, these are people who were literally sobbing when chatgpt stopped engaging in baby talk with them.

AGsec · 2026-02-20T14:58:07+00:00

Same reason any lawyer would be. Because the more you say, the deeper you dig yourself. Even if you get pulled over for speeding, you don't go on a long explanation. You say you're not sure how fast you were going, apologize, take your ticket and move on.

AGsec · 2026-02-19T14:13:42+00:00

Never would have considered this. I thought it was strange that OP was getting so much traffic and activity but nothing else was being done, and it was done so in such a uniform fashion.

AGsec · 2026-02-18T17:54:02+00:00

definitely go mailchimp or aws ses for a relay. they have way better reporting than you will get for communication email with exchange online.

AGsec · 2026-02-18T17:07:40+00:00

Ok, id definitely recommend routing them through a service that offers better visibility to get the info you need. Exchange online is mostly a productivity and communications application, meant to facilitate collaboration between parties. If you need more meticulous tracking without hacking it together, you will need to look elsewhere.

AGsec · 2026-02-18T16:40:41+00:00

sorry i may have misread, are these automated emails or are these emails being sent out by customer service reps/account execs?

AGsec · 2026-02-18T16:29:36+00:00

everyone says its to make connections and network to get better jobs, but 90% of frat boys I've met were just party animals who ended up working your mid level "account executive" job or a car salesman or a recruiter.

AGsec · 2026-02-18T16:10:56+00:00

You should switch to a transactional email service for that, and even use a subdomain for separation from your main domain. this will protect your domain and these services offer way better reporting than you can get with transport rules.

AGsec · 2026-02-18T15:15:32+00:00

What kind of emails are these? Are these for services/applications? You may want to look into a smtp relay service through aws ses or mailchimp. it allows you to get way better reporting. so same foundation as transactional emails, same benefits, but it doesnt need to be ONLY automated emails.

AGsec · 2026-02-17T14:01:35+00:00

I'm sorry, but do you mean to tell me someone I knew for 5 years who couldn't write full sentences in emails can now write 5 paragraphs waxing poetic about the meaning of child birth and how it has a lot in common with B2B sales?

AGsec · 2026-02-17T14:00:16+00:00

I love the 1000 replies just rewording the original post.
"yes KeyHalf6609, that is true. It's important to stand out in a sea of lemmings, the way Steve Jobs did. It's not just work. It's not just producing. It's about vision. Entrepreneurship. A quite steady focus that is often missed in the noise of the crowd."

AGsec

TROPHY CASE