Neil Serafin ⋅ Sequim , WA Telecommunications ⋅ 40 years experience

While I am not a local, over the years past I have worked in your market. As you know, you are in an isolated spot and have the Fed. next door at Bliss and White Sands. Suggest you look at Time Warner Cable. My experience in your market, the guys and gals transfered their have their spouse's dragged there. I think you are smart to be there and find employment, El Paso is low housing cost and is not full of IT types over 50' s looking for a job.

Bob Schaefer ⋅ Garland , TX Raytheon ⋅ 9 years experience

Joel,
First, thanks for your service and I hope that you can stay in your desired location.
However, I have to tell you that unless you already have some key contacts in El Paso, the likelihood of landing a position right away will be a challenge.
The much easier route would be to search for jobs in Dallas or Houston or Austin as your first leap into the commercial area.
If you have secret clearance or something that makes you unique, so much the better since our company needs experienced System Administrators with clearance, for example, in Colorado and can't find good candidates. So certifications and clearance will certainly open doors for you. The actual activity of managing systems or people usually goes to those that have had past management experience, so you can certainly qualify as a captain.
Make sure you have two different resume's or more - several for the commercial side in managing technical teams and in managing systems; and on the govt. side as well.
Good luck in your search.
Bob Schaefer

Joel Martinez ⋅ Killeen , TX U.S. Army, Captain ⋅ 6 years served

Neil,

Thanks for the recommendation, I originally had not considered them, but now that you mention it- it does make sense. I am very familiar with training as the majority of my current role involves heavy resourcing and planning for training itself, let alone, the execution portion of training your people directly. I have considered working federal even though that hiring process can be very extensive, it's worth if you get into the right position that promotes growth.

Joel Martinez ⋅ Killeen , TX U.S. Army, Captain ⋅ 6 years served

Bob,

Thanks for your support in this program! Veterans appreciate this special help as we are generally unaware of the reality of civilian work life.

I completely agree with your response in regards to the El Paso IT/Tech industry. It is developing, however, still staged very early. I have had offers from good companies in Dallas and Houston, but really interested in continuing my career in El Paso, however limited it may be. In terms of certifications, I am currently enrolled in a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification program through Syracuse University and should have the certification by this Fall. I am focusing my efforts now in getting enrolled into an MBA program, obtaining my PMP certification, and building my professional network.

Joel M.