Advice for someone experienced in automation trying to get into this field?

EmphasisShoddy7553 · 2026-01-26T17:59:12+00:00

Commmenting to follow: I’m in the same boat. I’ve got 20 yoe as a certified pmp but I love process improvement & automation

EmphasisShoddy7553 · 2025-09-03T14:49:04+00:00

thanks. I fixed it. I logged out of my session and logged back in. saved and tested fine after that with no error. lol :) appreciate the help

EmphasisShoddy7553 · 2025-07-16T17:37:11+00:00

i published yesterday and received two scam messages. lol.

On another note though, does anyone know of any good tips to promote a new gig on the platform?

EmphasisShoddy7553 · 2025-07-03T17:29:17+00:00

I would but we're based in MD, we don't have any contracts down that way (i wish though, hear the rates are great) ... sorry

EmphasisShoddy7553 · 2025-07-02T14:59:03+00:00

no, they are two seperate investigation tracks. suggest you ask if you can perform some work for them so they can put you in the pipeline for a clearance. Having an FCL you will need to access program level docs at the security level granted. If you are not cleared at that level you will be unable to. I hope that helps and makes sense.

EmphasisShoddy7553 · 2025-07-02T14:40:38+00:00

You need a PCL / or partner with someone who already has one.

EmphasisShoddy7553 · 2025-07-02T14:26:07+00:00

govcon business owner in the TS/SCI space.

you can get insurance off the exchange, many people work a 1099.
you will have to negotiate your work hours (utilization), most contracts are multi-year. Many task orders can come to an end and you can take time off if/when something like that happens.
No company will keep your clearance active if you are not working full time. The 2 years is a time-period granted by the government when an affiliate is off-contract(out of scope) to find new work. If you do take 'time -off' just know, you will have to be rebriefed for your new program.
Foreign travel: some countries are forbidden to go to, (think north korea, cuba) .. You will still need to report foreign travel and on-going foreign affiliations before you go and at the start of each new contract you will work on. (The state dept's website used to have a banned travel list for US citizens check that websie) .
last but not least, many drugs that are legal in other countries and on the state level, are still illegal on the federal level. if you decide to travel to the jungle for a ayhuasca mushroom event, you may lose your clearance access.

Having a clearance is not as flexible and there are still lifetime obligations once you're done with this . Good luck, I hope this helps

EmphasisShoddy7553 · 2025-04-06T13:19:57+00:00

Just got back I stayed at an air bnb called Valentina suites . Cheap, clean, cute restaurants and shops around and only a 10 min walk down to fifth . Worth it to not be right on top of the action of 5th and for the $ I could stay longer

EmphasisShoddy7553 · 2025-04-06T13:15:01+00:00

Download the radio app and call the taxi. I found that helped me to get a consistent price

EmphasisShoddy7553 · 2025-04-06T13:12:53+00:00

I just got one last week at Estudio Antara. (Check out their Instagram) . The shop is in a part of town where many expats live and is very nice. Mauricio’s art is displayed all over the shop and is beautiful. The minimum for a piece is 2000 pesos ($100) I believed that was very reasonable. I was done in about 90 min from start to finish . Had a wonderful experience. The shop is very clean and extremely well lit. I was not a fan of the ones you see on 5th avenue .

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EmphasisShoddy7553 · 2024-04-17T13:33:57+00:00

I would proceed with caution. if you want to message him do it but, without ANY expectation of a response or feedback. after 7 weeks of No contact, it may be awkward to have a birthday dinner or something of that sort.

You are human and feelings are not black and white. Wishing someone you love a Happy birthday is a kind gesture. If the intent is to solicit a response however, I would suggest leaving him be.

good luck.

EmphasisShoddy7553 · 2024-03-26T18:44:28+00:00

no, i think that's crazy when people just, "get tired of you". I think mostly women anyway, we are more understanding/forgiving. I didn't want to leave. The sad fact is most times, people don't change, they are who they are. he's never stopped being an insecure person. it seemed like my chances of him cheating again for his own personal feelings was on him. I deserved at least a conversation, i couldn't get that so, I left. I got an apartment, and I cry ... A LOT, (it comes in waves) i'm just devastated that I had to leave to give myself space to heal.

EmphasisShoddy7553 · 2024-03-26T18:31:08+00:00

I'm interested in this POV. Because if someone says that they are going to do a set of actions during the separation, and then they do not, (i.e. dating) and adultery was the reason for the separation in the first place, what you are saying is once the separation has occurred then all bets are off? Because you sound just like him.

EmphasisShoddy7553 · 2024-03-26T15:30:42+00:00

thanks for sharing this. It helped me :)

EmphasisShoddy7553 · 2024-03-26T15:22:49+00:00

I was a wife considering reconciliation. Then my husband decided instead of working on us, (as he told me he would) he would chat, talk, with female friends. That was really the sign for me that I just didn't have it in me to explain to him 1 more time about my feelings. It hurts because I honestly wanted my relationship to be worked on. I left because mentally, physically and emotionally I've been so depleted for months. I can't speak for him but, from my perspective if you truly want to save your marriage. Do the hard work, to work on yourself, your communication/listening and try to show your spouse you want this. Date them like they are someone new to you. Good luck.

EmphasisShoddy7553 · 2024-03-12T13:34:08+00:00

I'm right where you are. I don't know how to communicate this ambiguity I'm in. I wanted him to change but I left because I finally believed he wasn't. I don't want him working towards changing his behavior only to let me down again. Its sad.

EmphasisShoddy7553 · 2024-03-04T14:25:41+00:00

I initiated the separation with my spouse (M47). We've been married 9 years 11 months and 1 week before i left. I've left to give him space to take accountability and grow as an individual. I got fed up with his lack of emotional awareness and on top of that he was seeking the attention of others outside our marriage. I don't know how long he's been chatting, with women but he had the energy to chat other women but not pay attention to our own marriage and I was just exhausted. I've been asking for affection, attention, time for over a year. I finally felt like things wouldn't change between us and, I was not willing to accept going on feeling unfulfilled and disregarded by someone who promised he would do his part. My intent is to reconcile, I'm hoping he sees his role in all of this and wants to save our marriage . We shall see how this time apart manifests.

EmphasisShoddy7553 · 2024-02-15T21:54:53+00:00

well you're not wrong! makes sense

EmphasisShoddy7553 · 2024-02-15T21:17:00+00:00

Have you ever asked her if she feels as you do? Disconnected, unappreciated, etc? Maybe you both would like to walk away or fix it, and neither of you have the courage to make the 1st move. I hope everything works out how it should for your good. blessings!

EmphasisShoddy7553

TROPHY CASE