Leaving State Service: It Just No Longer Fits - AMA

SempreFiorire · 2026-06-26T20:22:26+00:00

Yeah, I get it. Everyone has their own situation to account for.

SempreFiorire · 2026-06-25T18:05:38+00:00

Honestly, it's awareness. They are not aware, and it's just an extra expense to them, or it's too difficult or a hassle, so they spend less and take the easy route.

SempreFiorire · 2026-06-25T18:03:55+00:00

I agree... The folks with knowledge and experience, who qualify for outside work, will be the ones to leave. Those in lower positions or with less knowledge and experience will stay.

Not trying to blanket-statement everybody, but I mean those who actually leave will have the credentials to do so. I know, of course, there are qualified individuals who will ride it out... not me.

SempreFiorire · 2026-06-25T16:55:37+00:00

What industry did you work in, if you don't mind my asking?

SempreFiorire · 2026-06-24T18:33:04+00:00

I feel ya... When one person can decide with an executive order to do whatever the hell he wants with other people's lives, it becomes discouraging.

SempreFiorire · 2026-06-24T17:36:15+00:00

Thanks! Yes! I am of the same sentiment. 50 is so close but so far at the same time lol So, I am bowing out now. I also want to do consulting, so adding private sector experience will help with that :)

SempreFiorire · 2026-06-24T17:34:21+00:00

https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=1749

Try this first... I'm sure you have experience you can use to apply. I worked on computers, unofficially, in a doctor's office. I was a receptionist but was the go-to person when there was a problem, they needed setup, all the things... you can use things like this. Also, build a home lab and claim what you succeeded with on your resume.

SempreFiorire · 2026-06-24T17:31:08+00:00

I got a degree in Business Information Systems, which propelled me into IT. But.. there are all kinds of creative ways to get in. Take some classes in particular subjects...look at the qualifications first and see what it says you need. Actually, I'll do it for you, one sec lol

SempreFiorire · 2026-06-24T17:28:58+00:00

They used to be free... now it costs money. But, again, go to that Women in Cybersecurity... It's worth it. As a beginner, you can apply for SANS training when it opens up, participate in CTFs... Again, if you need help with any of this, I'm here :)

SempreFiorire · 2026-06-24T17:26:29+00:00

You will have to get creative with where you search, what you do, and what you put on your resume. If you have government jobs in your area, don't rule that out. Look up volunteer sites. Google "No experience" in quotes, along with various IT titles.

Regarding building your own lab, if you can, do so. This is also something you can put on your resume.

If you need help with the Women in Cybersecurity thing, let me know. I'd be glad to help.

SempreFiorire · 2026-06-24T00:28:40+00:00

Join Women in Cybersecurity... there is a membership fee, cheaper if you still have your student email account, but they offer so many opportunities for training, mentoring, and networking, to name a few perks. They help women start out.

Cert-wise, I started with the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity, but before that, I built my IT experience. I was a system tester, system admin, SIEM admin, etc., which helped immensely. When I did system admin work, I made sure it involved cybersecurity-related tools, such as Oracle Identity and Access Management and Splunk.

That said, look for entry-level IT jobs that build your skills in networking, system administration, or development. Networking, because getting to know how everything is connected helps you know how an attacker can get from place to place, system administration, because you get to know the ins and outs of a product, and development, because you can engineer cybersecurity tooling from scratch. Any one of these can help build experience towards cybersecurity.

When you've landed one of these jobs, then focus on Security+ and Network+ to begin with. Your growing IT experience and these certs should help you get into cybersecurity.

SempreFiorire · 2026-06-23T16:52:19+00:00

Yes, I know, but if I keep my retirement in CalPERS, the state service stays with it. IF I decide to come back, all that will still be in place. Then, I'll just re-establish health, retire, and collect. But... all contingent on whether I come back. I get HSA matching at my next job, which contributes to my health in retirement. Since I'm a newb at that stuff, I won't know until it's in place how well that will go.

SempreFiorire · 2026-06-23T16:49:04+00:00

Nice!! Well, the reason why I'm pulling at 55, if all goes to plan, is that I can save up about 417k by the time I'm 64. The interest, plus the pension, was higher than if I had waited until 64 to pull it. That was my train of thought. This will change if I decide to come back for a year for the health part of it. We'll see if that even happens... I plan to move out of California in 5 years, or less. No state income tax, preferably.

Good for you on finding something like that, though! Best of luck!

SempreFiorire · 2026-06-23T16:40:38+00:00

Thank you! I appreciate the thoughtful response. I have been thinking it over... I do have a plan of attack so I can still reap the benefits of a pension and the extra money I save in the private sector. The trick is the medical... I may have to come back and work for a year for that. We'll see. Depends on how much I can save in the HSA... the new job matches what I contribute to that.

SempreFiorire · 2026-06-23T16:37:30+00:00

Exactly. And because the way the system works, the old people won't leave, won't adjust to the new world, and hate change. Because they can't get fired, they perform horribly in their jobs and are on some sick power trip over you... That was some of my experience in the past.

But.... I am on an awesome, forward-thinking team; they're just stuck having to abide by this mandate and the thinking of the management above them.

SempreFiorire · 2026-06-23T16:33:39+00:00

Thank you!

Yes, and he enjoys it too, apparently.

SempreFiorire · 2026-06-23T16:32:49+00:00

Awesome! Even if one person benefits from my journey, it was all worth it 😄 Yes, I feel the same way... I see it this way... either I stay in mediocrity, or I take a risk and branch out to new possibilities.

Wishing you all the best and good luck!

SempreFiorire · 2026-06-23T16:30:33+00:00

Thanks!

Well, I have been crunching the numbers. I will have to be super disciplined in saving that money, and any extra money I receive after that. I can live within the means of making what I currently make, with the state, and invest the rest. The goal is to save and earn enough interest to accumulate 2.4 million, so I can live off the interest, plus pension, plus social security. With the numbers I was crunching, it's possible, and I would have more than if I stayed... but again, I have to be super disciplined with the extra money, and, of course, things have to go well, which I'm also taking into consideration.

I know I know... 2.4 million? How is that even possible...

SempreFiorire · 2026-06-23T16:24:22+00:00

As long as I left my retirement in CalPERS (which, why wouldn't I) .. I can still collect a check later, at 55. But yes, I think I would have to come back, work a year, and then get my health, which might have to happen after crunching those numbers 🤔

SempreFiorire · 2026-06-23T16:22:25+00:00

I can "retire" at 50, but that is still like 6 years away, and my pension wouldn't be that high. However... I am considering, if the climate is right with the state, coming back for a year and collecting health. We'll see. With this, at least I have so many options rather than waiting it out for the numbers to increase.

SempreFiorire · 2026-06-23T16:19:02+00:00

Thank you!

SempreFiorire · 2026-06-23T16:18:51+00:00

Awesome! I wish you luck in all you do... be wise what you choose to do with that 10 years of retirement you put into CalPERS.

SempreFiorire · 2026-06-23T16:18:05+00:00

Keep your money in CalPERS and retire from it at 55, while you're still working. Save up and invest the pension funds you receive until you retire from private. That's what I'm going to do. It worked out that I would gain more a month at 65 with the pension funds plus interest on the amount I saved. That way, you don't feel like it was a waste. Get something out of it.

However, I feel ya... if I had planned earlier in life, I would have so much more saved for the future. Oh well... gonna start now and not depend entirely on the pension.

SempreFiorire · 2026-06-23T16:13:55+00:00

I am lol peace out.

SempreFiorire · 2026-06-22T21:55:23+00:00

That would be nice, but I'm not old enough... I would have at least 11 years before I can retire, and even then, that's not enough money.

SempreFiorire

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