I'm 29 and rated 100% permanent & total by the VA
(11b, lawn dart)

I earned an AAS in software development and now am an out of work FSD with 2 years of Exp (trying to shift into data eng)

My dream is to open a game dev/software firm but I don't have anywhere near the exp nor resources to do so
I know im in an adventagous position I just don't know how to capitalize on it

Any guidance?
Thanks guys 🤘🏼

Also - open for work, and would need a heads up to pass a drug screen

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

I’ve never been drug tested since I got out of the Army, except once for a client was an aero space and defense client.

You probably don’t have to worry much about it. All that said, I would recommend getting off the drugs just to get off them. It’s a lot like alcohol. I’ve never met someone that stop drinking that wishes they wouldn’t have stopped.

I have no idea what FSD means but would recommend finding a developer roles and even an internship, or possibly finishing your bachelors in a related field (computer science, applied statistics, etc). With your rating you don’t necessarily need the money to live while going to school.

You can totally start your own shop. Another option would be to pick up short term contracts to gain experience. Set yourself up as an LLC and contract out.

likehelpful

I found myself in the bottom of the bottle for a while and switched to smoking - I'm convinced it saved my life. I have energy again, lost a lot of weight etc etc.

Not to mention the pain mgmt

With all that said you have given me some awesome advice - Ill dig into the topics and try and learn some more on them

I really appreciate your time and feedback man!

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Fyi as a vet and being 100% opens you up to a shit load of government funding for small businesses.

likehelpful

well - this is excellent to know lol

like

I mean, not to be that guy, but if you earn your full undergrad, you’d be a solid MBA candidate on paper (i.e., disabled vet with a software background trying to learn the business/entrepreneur side of things to start your own business). With stable I come from disability and insurance coverage, I think it should be on the table for sure.

All that aside, look into roles where you won’t just be pigeonholed into strictly software. Try to find those hybrid opportunities that will expose you to project management, budgeting, client/stakeholder facing and give you some soft skills to help you grow outside of the technical world.

smart

Based on OPs situation, he likely also qualifies for Vocational Rehabilitation - this is a VA benefit eligible to folks with a VA rating above a certain %.

You can use it for starting a business, but honestly I would highly recommend using the benefit instead for getting a degree from a top-ranked school (voc rehab will pay 100% tuition at a private university, more than GI Bill) and get some job experience/professional network in industry before you start your own company. The education, job experience and network will greatly increase the chance of success for a new company.

Don't think you can't go to a top school as a vet - it just requires preparation like anything else. Service2school will coach you for free on how to get your scores up and your application straight to get into the best schools (civilians pay coaches $$$$ for an equivalent service) so long as you put the work in.

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