Mention the name Silicon Valley and most people will instantly think Facebook, Google, or Netflix.
Less obvious is the presence of numerous defense contractors, and the fact that many consumer-oriented technology companies have also obtained lucrative government contracts.
As it turns out, the same cutting-edge technologies so exciting to consumers are also of considerable interest to the feds. The internet, cell phones, and global positioning systems were all government-funded projects before they exploded into the mainstream.
But with the increasing government investment in entrepreneurial-minded Silicon Valley, a clash of cultures – methodical, predictable government on one hand and the Wild West of business on the other – was inevitable.
An opinion article from earlier this year entitled, “The Culture Clash of Government and Silicon Valley” is one critic’s take on the result, and a fascinating one at that. Despite the macro-level concerns about government subsidies destroying the type of “Darwinism” that has historically separated the Facebook’s of the world from the MySpace’s, there is a distinct benefit of government involvement in Silicon Valley for security clearance holders: you’re now in demand there.
That does, of course, assume that you can manage to find a house to purchase for under two million dollars in Silicon Valley’s astronomically expensive real estate market – and that you’re cool with the overbearing nanny state government here in what I like to call the People’s Republic of California.
But assuming you can bite the bullet on those two little details, Silicon Valley has a lot going for it: no nasty Washington, D.C. summer humidity; a short drive to both ocean and mountains; and next-door neighbors who can fix just about every technical problem you’re likely ever to encounter in consumer life.
So if you’re a clearance holder ready to really mix things up, polish that resume then take a look at openings in Silicon Valley on ClearanceJobs.com.
That’s either opportunity knocking or your new neighbor, the twenty-five-year-old billionaire startup founder and venture capitalist.
This article is intended as general information only and should not be construed as legal advice. Consult an attorney regarding your specific situation.
