Post: #1

I put in notice at my blue collar job, I'm 30 with aches and pains and don't even have kids yet.

I'm going to college in the fall.

I am a smart guy good with computers, I want to become an Opsec specialist (teach people how to avoid tracking and surveillance.)

How would I pursue this?

Post: #2

I don't know a lot about Opsec, but what languages are you competent in? List your other skills/experience

Post: #3

English, criminal early 20s (sealed​ record) been swinging hammers and whatnot for 6-7 years.

My main abilities are decent IQ (125-135 I would say) quick learner, diligent, hard working and honest.

I'm essentially starting from zero, I want to raise a family and my body is getting wrecked.

Post: #4

Avoid college debt, go to college, study computer science, get an internship before you get out of college.

Post: #5

(04-07-2018 03:17 PM)Dragan Wrote:  Avoid college debt, go to college, study computer science, get an internship before you get out of college.

Thanks Dragan

Post: #6

What kind of companies hire "Opsec Specialists"? It feels like that's kind of a limited field.

Post: #7

(04-07-2018 03:23 PM)SamuelBRoberts Wrote:  What kind of companies hire "Opsec Specialists"? It feels like that's kind of a limited field.

I would be starting a business around it, I think interest will increase as AI profiling becomes common knowledge.

Post: #8

Well, if you're starting a business around it you don't need a degree, since you'd only be hiring yourself to begin with.

It sounds like you know exactly what you want to do, which is go to college and start a business on the side.
What's your question, exactly? How you'd start an "Opsec Specialist" business?

Post: #9

SamuelB good point I will brainstorm this myself.

Thanks for the replies.

Post: #10

I mean what computer languages are you competent in?

Post: #11

Construction project manager?

If your income is low enough can you
Qualify to go back to school for engineerding?

Post: #12

(04-07-2018 03:41 PM)ms224 Wrote:  Construction project manager?

If your income is low enough can you
Qualify to go back to school for engineerding?

Yes I do qualify for some grants. That might be a better direction.

Really I want to be able to start a family by about 36-38.

Post: #13

(04-07-2018 03:37 PM)Repo Wrote:  I mean what computer languages are you competent in?

Asian.

Post: #14

How much money do you think you need to start a family?

Post: #15

Not much, just a solid job. I'm​ going to be scraping by a couple years probably.

Post: #16

Do you want a solid job, or to be running your own business?
What you do for the next few years is going to change depending on that answer.

Post: #17

I'm not going to reply for a few days. I very much rushed this thread.

Post: #18

(04-07-2018 03:29 PM)godfather dust Wrote:  

(04-07-2018 03:23 PM)SamuelBRoberts Wrote:  What kind of companies hire "Opsec Specialists"? It feels like that's kind of a limited field.

I would be starting a business around it, I think interest will increase as AI profiling becomes common knowledge.

I'll leave this post for when you came back.

You're definitely thinking in the right direction, although it's entirely possible that this specific idea is a ridiculous idea. It might be a great idea, but you probably won't know until you try and have the opportunity to test demand.

However, for a subject like that, you can start right now by establishing yourself as an expert by writing an informative blog. If you pick up enough readers, you can start thinking about how to turn It into a business.

At your age, don't waste unnecessary time in school unless there's a specific reason to study. If you complete an entire degree, you'll be finished at 34/35. It usual takes a year or two minimum to settle into a career direction (my brother graduated with a degree in electrical engineering, but it took him 9 months to find a suitable job in the part of the country his wife wanted to live in. Sure, he works for Elon Musk now, but that didn't happen over night. It took him 7 years, which would mean you would be finally getting somewhere at 42, whereas he is 30. Do you want to be competing with 30 year olds who have far more energy, more time to save for retirement and more flexibility in life?).

The smartest thing you could probably do is use any construction (or whatever field you were swinging a hammer in) to your advantage. You have a ton of information in your head that if combined with other knowledge, skills and connections, would allow you to start a business in the industry that you've spent years as a blue collar worker. This experience/knowledge gives you a huge advantage over other people outside the industry, mainly, you know what a lot of the problems are and probably have special insight into products/services that would be useful in solving some of the problems workers/managers there face.

Unless the direction you choose requires an entire degree, just take specific courses at a nearby school that will teach what you NEED to know.

Creating your own business is the right direction to go if you have the basic abilities and personality to do so. But strongly consider staying in your own industry, not trying to enter something entirely new.

Do a OPsec blog on the side and see if it goes anywhere. If anything, it'll make you a better writer.

Post: #19

What kind of blue collar job were you doing if you don't mind me asking?

Post: #20

The great thing about blue collar is that you can work while still doing other business or school on the side. Even during a downturn I was still able to work as a metal fabricator 3 days a week while I built my business. Also, school debt is not a factor if you have a skilled trade.

I would make sure that what you want to do is based on your passion rather than what you think might be a cool industry. Especially if its your first business. Being an entrepreneur is less about the idea and more about execution and diligence.