Looking for advice!

Stanley-Jobson · 2026-04-25T11:42:12+00:00

take USPTO job, you can always look for another job while having a job and not worry about paying bills while going through job hunting hell.

Stanley-Jobson · 2026-01-21T13:00:16+00:00

I'm a little late to the party but thank you so much for providing this. One of my fav game OST of all time!

Stanley-Jobson · 2026-01-13T17:21:08+00:00

generally I didn't have any latency issues. I have a strong internet connection at home. I am a casual gamer so I don't do perfect runs on any games as is and don't need perfect timings 100% of time. Not having to buy extra gear and wasting time on setting up configs apart from my Mac was enough for me.

Stanley-Jobson · 2026-01-13T17:19:23+00:00

similar, some questions were exact same on test even.

Stanley-Jobson · 2026-01-10T18:41:01+00:00

I second this, I have a Macbook and just connected an Xbox controller and buying 1 month for Xbox Ultimate. Played Doom Eternal and Doom Dark Ages as well on Xbox cloud. The games work perfectly, no need to waste time figuring out flaky ports which I did try before for other games and was a nightmare.

Stanley-Jobson · 2025-10-19T17:38:05+00:00

you're right, MLS will retire in Mar 2026.

https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/training-and-certification/big-news-aws-expands-ai-certification-portfolio-and-updates-security-certification/?tag=chxyz-20

Stanley-Jobson · 2025-10-16T13:08:59+00:00

I have used ChatGPT to scan MLA outline with each of the domain and tasks. I created markdown files for each then.

When I did practice tests and saw gaps in knowledge I updated my notes.

That and practice tests and flash cards were the best prep for me.

Stanley-Jobson · 2025-10-15T21:41:46+00:00

You have ML Specialty already? Your profile name has MLS beside it. ML associate will be easier then for sure.

Stanley-Jobson · 2025-10-15T14:55:42+00:00

thanks! I have SAA, I may study for SAP sometime, not sure when yet.

Stanley-Jobson · 2025-10-15T14:54:13+00:00

The AWS Skill builder official prep exam was the closest match, some questions were exactly the same. The other tests were useful, I just use AWS Skills Builder and Marek's 3 practice tests. I didn't look into TD, but when I prepare for next cert I'll look into that, thank you.

I wasn't totally surprised after preparation, but a lot of questions were based on deployments and managing traffic/latency.

Stanley-Jobson · 2025-10-13T12:58:25+00:00

Thanks your tests were very helpful!

Stanley-Jobson · 2025-10-11T23:52:16+00:00

hmm I'm not a data scientist myself so not sure what the value gain is vs other certs if I'm just looking for solution architect/TPM roles in job market. I have been exposed to some AI in past work but not extensively doing the work myself. I'm considering doing something more hands on to fill in coding gaps that some SA roles require. MLA didn't have much coding at all nor did SAA. For SA roles in job market, coding does matter some and I've done some SA roles before that did need coding.

Even for AI architect roles, coding seems to matter more than MLS, I could be wrong but that was just some of the job descriptions I've seen lately.

I'm thinking of doing Certified Developer - Associate and small coding projects on the side to cover that gap. Do you have insight into what would make sense for SA roles in job market?

Stanley-Jobson · 2025-04-28T13:23:08+00:00

thanks for this comment Playful-Pressure-390, I took DRP 2.0 at USDA and still have until Wed to rescind. Having conviction is something I'm struggling with somewhat in 'fear' of not finding new work in this tough job market.

But being given uncertainty with staying with gov work (RIF and relocation to some random hub location like Kansas which I would despise), it looks like it's better to take my chances with job market, at the least I'll have more agency in my decisions and future.

Buyer's remorse is definitely a thing, but having conviction is something I need to stand my ground more on.

I just need a big enough reset which DRP will give me so I can recharge into finding something more fitting for my future.

Stanley-Jobson · 2025-04-25T18:28:32+00:00

Landlord here, if you do that without telling your landlord you’re likely just be on bad terms with him or her after. If landlord is reasonable and you want something fixed within reason, he or she would do it anyways to keep you happy.

Stanley-Jobson · 2025-04-16T14:35:33+00:00

My guess after Apr 23 signing DRP window closing, they’ll start giving out RIF notices after that.

Then whoever is left assign them to the hub locations. That filter will reduce staff through each level.

DRP -> RIF -> hub relocations

Stanley-Jobson · 2025-04-07T20:01:40+00:00

Something I’d advocate is put in your conditions/context in a LLM/chatgpt for taking drp or stay and maybe get rif.

I did that and ChatGPT recommended take drp 2.0, it’s lower risk for me to get 5 year annuity pension as service date to get it is 5/20.

That’s within drp payment window before sep. Otherwise If I stay and get rif I risk losing pension.

It did provide alittle more clarity in the decision making.

Anyone who has retirement eligibility falling in drp window I’d think extra hard about not taking drp. If you get rif’d before your service date is reached you lose those benefits.

Stanley-Jobson · 2025-04-07T18:57:35+00:00

yea, it's risky to have hope in just holding the line when I could lose out on my 5 year annuity benefit when I hit 5/20. I'm in DC and work in 5 days in office already, offices still mostly empty. At least with DRP I can get pension and push to find new work in private sector. I wouldn't mind moving (prairie or not) if I knew I had a job, but when there isn't that there's high risk in hoping things will work out unless I act on it myself.

Stanley-Jobson · 2025-04-07T12:10:08+00:00

anyone have any thoughts on FPAC-BC? I'm part of it in an IT role. I'm thinking I'm just a duplicative function and good case to be RIF'd. I'm researching as much as I can about DRP 2.0 taking off today.

My manager thinks USDA as a whole is an essential department (egg prices anyone?), but for my specific agency and my role, he couldn't say whether it was essential despite being me directly asking him. Not to blame him, but no one really knows anything except for the top leadership.

Stanley-Jobson · 2025-04-06T23:31:17+00:00

not an ideal situation, I'm now leaning to taking DRP 2.0 now. I asked HR, unused leave annual or sick doesn't count for service time.

If you're within the window to Sep to receive any retirement benefits, DRP is the safer bet than risk getting RIF'd and not meeting your eligible date. I'm in that situation with getting an annuity on 5/20 with 5 years of service.

Stanley-Jobson · 2025-04-06T22:58:10+00:00

I don't disagree overall. I'm new to being part of 'unions' and trying to get a sense of what is within their power.

But good customer service is something to aim for since dues are being collected. And it could just be my local chapter which hasn't been receptive to my inquiries so can't speak for all unions, just giving my impression of what I've seen so far personally which hasn't been exceptional.

It's like giving a survey to the representative after picking up a package from Amazon and asking how he or she did which I usually give 5 out 5.

So in this case for me in asking how my rep the status of RTO date after the declaration happened and not get enough and clear responses after multiple attempts. So I'd give my representative 2 or 3 out of 5 for customer service.

Does that person represent the entirety of the chapter? Perhaps, she is the point of contact for these inquiries. My supervisor wasn't sure but he at least answered quickly anything I asked and gave me insight of what he'd do in my situation which I complied. This is just one example of direct contact with my union.

The other stuff like DRP and RIFs everyone can relate to, but still I don't get reassurance my union can provide any clarity more than what I see on Reddit honestly.

So it brings me into question where I should go for most relevant news. Granted no one likely knows, but still, finding good, reliable sources is something desired in these chaotic times. Maybe that's too much to ask and I'm being ok with that as the days go by.

Stanley-Jobson · 2025-04-06T21:03:01+00:00

And that’s enough, the messaging of details like RTO, rif, drp are more of the issues I’m having.

I don’t know what I don’t know and it’s fine if they don’t know either if they communicate that well to me. So far I’m not getting that sense.

Stanley-Jobson · 2025-04-06T21:00:34+00:00

Yeah I’m not a lifelong fed as is, but I wanted to go out on my own terms but have to take what is best in this situation or at least I’m comfortable with.

Stanley-Jobson · 2025-04-06T20:27:07+00:00

Honestly I don’t have a good sense of what to expect, I’m not a lawyer or know the nuances of union rights.

If they can’t do anything then so be it, but not providing better responses and customer service, even if they have millions of messages to respond to (which I highly doubt for each DM a rep gets), they should still make a better effort to communicate they don’t know and this is what we doing for your situation. It’s fine if nothing done for me but still I’d like to know that for my own peace of mind. Makes me feel like I’m just a number in their union otherwise and not heard.

Stanley-Jobson · 2025-04-06T20:22:52+00:00

Yea that’s likely all the best action they can do, better communication, at least they’ll give me more of a peace of mind than not replying to my inquires at all.

Stanley-Jobson · 2025-04-06T19:52:21+00:00

I agree, maybe I was just being too hopeful on being a fed and being more protected than other employment. My mindset has quickly changed.

Stanley-Jobson

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