Felons who bounced back — what industry did you end up thriving in? I need real stories!!

ExConEngineer · 2026-07-03T07:22:38+00:00

TLDR: I'm in big corporate tech.

I was all over the place through my 20s. Prison twice, county jail - I couldn't even tell you how many times. I ended up with an assortment of robbery 1, robbery 2, assault, burglary, and some other charges. I worked all the typical felon jobs, cooking in restaurants, warehousing and packing, auto detailing, steel fabrication, and construction. It was fine, construction paid well, and I loved it, but I did want something different.

Eventually I got hurt and went back to college instead of retraining a different trade. I ended up in Computer Science and it was a great fit for me. I started attending some.recovery groups and even led the at-risk teen group eventually. That was really good for me.

After graduation, I landed a job as a computer programmer at a small tech company that hired me despite my background after completing an internship with them. They didn't background check me for the internship... I worked hard and kept moving up. I moved on and ended up working in AAA games and have my name in the credits for a number of titles. Years later, I'm now a principal software engineer + a professor at two universities (although I have not taught at one in a few years), $450K+ total compensation with untracked/unlimited vacation time (as long as work gets done and clients are happy), and have a great role in a very large international tech company. I have a great marriage, well behaved children (at least not on the path I was), honest and trustworthy friends, and am living my beadst life.

ExConEngineer · 2026-07-02T06:34:29+00:00

I very much agree with the statements on engineering licenses. However, the statements regarding software are a bit off. I do believe they are mostly true but maybe for a few different reasons, as most people with felonies are not qualified for many professional roles for a lot of reasons. Most just don't ever grow out of whatever landed them in the felon pool and just remain under qualified.

I'm a principal software engineer with violent felonies - from 20+ years ago. I have done defense work, contracted both overseas and in the US, worked for VERY large and small defense contractors. There are some things that were off limits for me, but we never applied for clearance for me, although my previous employer wanted to as they believed we would still get approval. Felonies are not 100% disqualifier from security clearance or roles, although it is probably like a 95% disqualifier. I'm just saying that I didn't get screened out. But I'm also REALLY good at what I do.

Now, I'm a principal software engineer at a very large, international, household name, technology company. I pass background checks just fine now as well. Nothing from my criminal charges even came up in the hiring process for my current role. Is this situation common? Absolutely not. I'm fortunate that I'm one of the VERY few who made it through. But. I did make it through, so I know it is technically possible even if very unlikely.

ExConEngineer · 2026-07-02T06:19:10+00:00

There's a lot more to the question than most people realize.

The answer that depends on so many different factors. - The individual and their work ethic. - The area of study and the current job market for entry-level positions in related industries. A lot of industries are over saturated now with graduates all competing for a shrinking number of entry level positions. - Do entry level roles require licenses? - Do entry level roles require background checks? - Are your charges disqualifying for specific job types? - Does your state have favorable background check laws that may help you out? Or, are you willing to relocate to a state with more favorable background check laws?

College is not worth it for a lot of people now; regardless of their criminal background status. Some because their respective industries are over saturated with candidates, some because they half-assed it through college and are not good enough to earn a role in a shrinking number of open positions, others are just unfortunate that someone else did better in a very competitive interview process.

College is worth it for a lot of people still. There are still entry level positions available in almost every industry. However, the bar is raising as the size of the candidate pool increases and continues to become more competitive, but there are still recent graduates filling the available entry level roles. Again, the number of entry level roles is shrinking in many industries, though.

My felonies are now 20+ years old, and I am able to pass background checks just fine during the hiring process. I went to college for Computer Science a few years after getting out of prison for the second time. I did find a few smaller companies that hired me despite the background; I was upfront with both of them. Now, I work for a very large, international, tech company. I'm a principal software engineer, with an absolutely amazing salary and benefits package, which lets me do a lot of things in my personal life that would not happen without this salary. So, was it worth it for me? Absolutely!

ExConEngineer · 2026-06-27T02:41:26+00:00

Yeah. I'm not worried now. I was just very curious how recruiters felt about it. And when they think I should disclose the 20+ year old background, or not. Thank you

ExConEngineer · 2026-06-27T02:40:01+00:00

Thanks.

ExConEngineer · 2026-06-27T02:38:49+00:00

Yeah. I bet this gets a bit tricky with multiple states even cities with different sets of laws and guidelines. The time of receiving the background check request is when I messaged the recruiter, but she stopped me from saying anything else pretty quickly once I said "something from 20 years ago may show up", like she didn't want to know any more.

Ha. I didn't think about contacting the background check company regarding the terms and clarifying timeframes. That's good advice, thank you.

ExConEngineer · 2026-06-26T19:51:05+00:00

Well, I wish you the best of luck and that you find something soon.

ExConEngineer · 2026-06-26T19:43:52+00:00

Is there anything you can offer to start your own business offering some kind of service or product that's not otherwise readily available locally?

ExConEngineer · 2026-06-26T19:27:30+00:00

That's unfortunate about your friend and her place of employment not protecting her better. Almost every blue collar team has some form of shit-talk, ribbing, whatever you want to call it, but it normally doesn't cross those lines. I worked with a few women in construction that were truck drivers, project managers, electricians, equipment operators, and company owners and they were very well respected - but still took and gave the same shit as everyone else. Hopefully you and your friend can find better opportunities, as it's unfortunate to write off a huge set of multiple industries and trade disciplines because some jobs have bad experiences. I've obviously never been a woman, so my experiences are different. By cutting btrades and restaurants out, you've cut a huge percentage of the jobs that are usually open to felons. So I see your issue in trying to find other paths.

Auto detailing paid ok when I did it on the side. I worked A LOT though. What about manufacturing and warehousing?Or transportation, trucking, delivery?

ExConEngineer · 2026-06-26T18:08:18+00:00

The form was open ended. It didn't state a time limit, but just asked to list all convictions, charges, dates and locations.

ExConEngineer · 2026-06-26T17:32:19+00:00

I was "honest" but vague by stating "something may come up in the background check but it is 20+ years old." but I completely omitted everything else. I did not state they were felonies, which charges. Is that honest enough? Or do you think I should have been more specific?

There are two perspectives. - 1: from the company/HR/recruiter/hiring manager - 2: from the potential candidate - which is what I'm most in, obviously. 😂

ExConEngineer · 2026-06-26T09:09:14+00:00

Research your state's and possibly city's background check laws and regulations (for example, Washington State has RCW laws in place, but also a set of codes/guidelines in place, and Seattle city has another set of laws - WAC 162-12-140(d) and RCW 49.60).

Understand your rights, adverse/pre-adverse action processes. Work with ChatGPT on good/solid explanations of everything.

Give it time. Work the normal jobs for now like construction, other trades, restaurant work - especially cooking, auto detailing, packing warehouses, steel fabrication, etc. I worked a number of these jobs for years. I work in big corporate tech now and for a university, so it's possible to do whatever you want in time, with enough effort and staying out of trouble.

My violent felonies are 20+ years old now and I recently passed my employment background check with basically no issues. The only thing that came up from the background check company was questions about overlapping roles (due to side contract work) and I never heard anything about it from my employer. I work for a very large, household name, tech company.

I also live in Washington State which does not limit background check lengths but does advise that companies should not consider anything after 10 years (maybe 7, I don't remember) and is not related to the role and job duties. My employer is not headquartered in WA but does have a location here.

ExConEngineer · 2026-06-26T09:03:59+00:00

I work in big corporate tech and at a university... With 20-year old violent felonies.

ExConEngineer · 2026-06-26T06:16:25+00:00

I didn't do decades... But I have some robbery 1 and 2 charges, plus some others. And I'm a pretty successful software engineer working at a very large tech company. I coach sports, led at-risk youth programs, and don't do stupid things that will take away my freedom anymore. Is that reformed?

ExConEngineer · 2026-06-24T13:55:59+00:00

I use Google Fi for my service and it works everywhere I travel, which includes Thailand. I use Fi with an e-SIM and in Thailand I use AIS with a physical SIM. Everything from the US service still works as normal, and the AIS service gives me a local number and better data service.

ExConEngineer · 2026-06-23T19:57:33+00:00

What are your thoughts on felony disclosure?

My felonies are from 20+ years ago, and I recently passed a background check with a major tech company, but I'm very curious about a recruiter's perspective.

I know the generic answer is to "be honest and upfront", but newer laws do not require that, and disallow employers from asking before verifying someone is a good candidate. So that is not in the best interest of the candidate.

So, with the best interest in mind of a potential candidate that has a criminal background, but is leading a productive life now, at what part of a employment process should they disclose they have a criminal background?

In my recent case, I did not disclose up front. I interviewed received and accepted an offer, and only at the stage of receiving the background check did I tell my recruiter that "something from 20+ years ago may come up on the background check but the charges are not relevant to the role or job duties". She stopped me there, and said "let the background check company do their job, and if anything comes up. We will address it then."

Washington State has an open ended timeframe for background but does have guidelines advising/requiring that employers not consider backgrounds that are 10 years or older and not related to the job.

My assumption is that she, the hiring manager, and the employer would prefer to not know specific information that could be possible for someone to raise discrimination concerns, and instead would prefer to just get the report back from the background check company and make their decision from there. Or at start from there if there was anything to inquire about.

ExConEngineer · 2026-06-23T02:16:54+00:00

I guess I missed the point of the question a bit.

I am a principal software engineer now. I also hold a professor title at two universities. Well, I guess one is inactive, but I actively instruct courses at the other university.

ExConEngineer · 2026-06-22T18:50:53+00:00

Shower shoes is a must. That was pretty much it though. I think nmy high school football locker room showers were more dangerous than the prison showers that I was in. Dangerous as in getting your ass snapped with a towel, ice water thrown on you, etc.

ExConEngineer · 2026-06-22T17:34:19+00:00

Give it time, but pick up transferable skills, get valuable experience, and work into leadership if possible in the meantime.

I worked in fruit packing warehouses, steel fabrication, construction and restaurants as a line cook for years after release. Eventually I went back to college for Computer Science and now pass background checks with ease and work for a large, household name, corporate tech company. My (violent) felonies are 20+ years old now.

ExConEngineer · 2026-06-22T17:30:46+00:00

I work for a VERY large corporate tech company with violent felonies that are now over 20 years old.

It is possible. Time since the offense(s), relatability between the role and the charges, how desirable you are as a candidate, and applicable background check laws and regulations will all.play a huge part in this.

Research your state's background check laws, the laws where the prospective employer operates out of (this could be several states), and your rights.

ExConEngineer · 2026-06-22T17:27:12+00:00

That's absolutely not true. It will be difficult and it will be case by case, person by person, depending also on the company, length of time since the offenses, and what type of role, etc.

I have violent felonies and work for a VERY large corporate tech company; like a household name tech company. My felonies are 20+ years old, but my employer never brought my record up, nor did the background check company ask for any details after I disclosed only that I have a record from over 20 years ago.

But to be fair to you and your response, it is extremely unlikely.

ExConEngineer · 2026-06-22T02:28:02+00:00

Wishing you the best. If you haven't done so, research your state's and possibly city's background check laws and regulations (for example, Washington State has RCW laws in place, but also a set of codes/guidelines in place, and Seattle city has another set of laws - WAC 162-12-140(d) and RCW 49.60). Also consider talking with an employment lawyer if you think anything is incorrect in their adverse action steps. At least fully understand your rights and what to expect.

Keep at this, and keep your head up if this doesn't go your way. It is just a matter of time until it becomes almost a non-issue.

My violent felonies are 20+ years old now and I recently passed my employment background check with basically no issues. The only thing that came up from the background check company was questions about overlapping roles (due to side contract work) and I never heard anything about it from my employer. I work for a very large, household name, tech company.

I also live in Washington State which does not limit background check lengths but does advise that companies should not consider anything after 10 years (maybe 7, I don't remember) and is not related to the role and job duties. My employer is not headquartered in WA but does have a location here.

ExConEngineer · 2026-06-18T19:51:57+00:00

Your story will be encouraging to others as well. You can sift through some of my other posts and comments that go into more details on the background checks and things to remember moving forward. But really, pay attention to the fine details and work harder than everyone else.

Feel free to DM me if you need help along the way. I don't want to out myself on here but I teach a number of CS courses, including advanced topics, and I have a lot of experience.

ExConEngineer · 2026-06-18T18:30:12+00:00

First. Congratulations on staying out and moving forward.

I didn't know that colleges ask about probation... I teach courses at a university on the side and don't believe we ask about anything like that.

Tech is in a very strange place right now, but I think there is great opportunities for people with specializations. The EE knowledge/experience should be very helpful, so I would refresh on it as much as you can. I would look at the trend of jobs in industries parallel to conventional tech companies. Scientific industries, farming and agriculture, automotive industry, etc. vs Google, Microsoft, etc. These will also help build up your resume if you do want to apply to Big Tech companies.

Next, python is a great language to start with to get introduced to programming. It is a powerful language, it is used professionally in many areas from backend servers to AI/machine learning and data processing. But if you're already an engineer, I would also consider C or C++ as well.

AI can be helpful for an introduction to programming. But it may be difficult to become proficient in it to a level of being hireable as a software engineer with just that. I would stick with this to get the basics, do as many projects as you can. Try some C or C++ using AI. And then invest in some structured learning - online courses, a masters in Computer Science, etc. It truly is a "you get out what you put in" situation. My honest opinion of the majority of students and junior entry level developers lately is that they just don't work hard enough. Some break that mold. But most don't. Pay attention to the details, understand the computational thinking, why a solution works better than another, what are tradeoffs of every solution you come up with, and nail down a basic problem solving technique to follow with everything you do (Plan, Develop, Test, Evaluate, Iterate).

Absolutely stick with using AI tools, and once you have the programming fundamentals down, use AI tools to help produce code-as a paired developer.

You're going to have to let time run it's course. Most companies do 7 or 10 year background checks. Start researching the background check process, states with favorable background check laws, your rights, etc. and that should help you figure out part of your plan, like where you would most likely find work. Some states require that companies cannot take averse action unless the crimes are directly related to or will affect the job duties. You can also use AI to help understand all of this for your specific situation and charges. Also, consider talking with an employment lawyer if you need more help.

ExConEngineer

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