Security Clearance Careers Podcast

Where do spies, diplomats, soldiers, and FBI agents turn when their official service comes to an end? For most, full retirement isn’t an immediate option. The choice to step away from government service is difficult enough—deciding what comes next can feel even harder.Author and Career Coach Alison P. Bouwmeester knows this journey firsthand. She spent 28 years as a senior leader in the CIA’s Directorate of Operations, followed by nearly a decade as a senior executive in the defense contracting industry, ultimately serving as Vice President for Business Development. In 2018, she became a Certified Professional Career Coach and founded Futurity to guide others through successful career transitions—drawing on her own experience as someone who has “walked the walk.”In this book, dozens of former intelligence, diplomatic, military, and national security professionals share candid insights, practical strategies, and timeless advice.Considering a job change? Exploring a second career? Wondering what retirement could look like? This guide is here to help you take the next step with confidence.

Using illegal drugs is obviously a problem... just check out the DOHA cases we review every month on ClearanceJobsBlog(dot)com and News(dot)ClearanceJobs(dot)com. What we see more confusion surrounding is prescription use (+ abuse). Sean Bigley and Lindy Kyzer report on the topic.

To “resign under unfavorable circumstances” generally means that an employee chose to resign from a job before being formally terminated or while facing serious workplace issues that reflect negatively on them.It often indicates the resignation was not entirely voluntary or amicable, but instead prompted by:Pending termination (e.g., the employer was about to fire them).Serious misconduct allegations (such as fraud, harassment, or policy violations).Poor performance after warnings or performance improvement plans.Conflicts of interest or ethics violations.Other issues making continued employment untenable (e.g., loss of required clearance or certification).Background investigators reach out to former employers - best to be honest about if you actually quit or quit before you were fired. "Better for you to say it first," Lindy Kyzer notes.

Created by professionals with over 50 years of expertise, Tru-Vetting revolutionizes security management. Their solutions enhance efficiency, turning complex security processes into simple operations. Tru-Vetting is your FSO companion, empowering your organization to focus on growth while keeping your business aligned with the latest policies and procedures. They join the podcast to talk about all the important issues related to FSOs supporting the Defense Industrial Base.

In an era where cybersecurity challenges demand diversity, creativity, and resilience, The Cyber Guild is more than an organization—it’s a movement. For professionals pursuing or holding security clearances, the Guild’s community-driven, inclusive approach is a powerful complement to technical expertise. Whether you're transitioning from government service or seeking broader professional networks, exploring The Cyber Guild’s resources could be a game-changing step.

Federal hiring is shifting fast—from law enforcement incentives and IT demand to new rules like the two-page USAJobs resume. Join ClearanceJobs’ Lindy Kyzer in conversation with federal jobs coach Armand Curet as they unpack the latest hiring freeze updates, agency-specific trends, and the myths that keep applicants from landing government roles. Whether you’re a veteran, a career-changer, or simply federal-curious, this live discussion will give you the clarity you need to navigate today’s federal job market.

In part two of our conversation with former CIA officer and Global Leadership Lab CEO Rupal Patel, we explore women’s roles in intelligence, the value of community in cleared careers, and how a global perspective shapes authentic leadership. Patel also shares advice for the next generation of national security professionals and reflects on the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people.

In this episode of ClearedCast, host Phoebe Wells sits down with Rupal Patel—former CIA officer, CEO of the Global Leadership Lab, and author of From CIA to CEO: Unconventional Life Lessons for Thinking Bigger, Leading Better, and Being Bolder. Patel shares her unconventional path from war zones and classified briefings to the corporate boardroom, offering candid insights on resilience, confidence, and leadership.Hear how she navigated the clearance process, built credibility in male-dominated spaces, and developed the tools to quiet imposter syndrome. Patel also reveals how intelligence tradecraft can be applied to everyday leadership—helping executives and professionals lead with clarity, confidence, and authenticity.Whether you’re navigating your own cleared career or striving to build bold leadership skills, this episode offers lessons for thriving in high-pressure environments. Come back next week for part two.

Transitioning from military service into the civilian workforce is rarely straightforward—but for Albert Bellamy, a retired Marine Corps officer, it was a journey defined by logistics, analytics, and adaptability. Now a marketing and business intelligence consultant, Bellamy shared with the Security Clearance Careers Podcast how his time in uniform prepared him to thrive in the data-driven world of consulting.While logistics was his operational focus in the Marines, Bellamy gradually transitioned into the world of analytics. That shift became the foundation for his post-military career. The core skills were the same, problem-solving under pressure, working with diverse teams, and telling a story with data. Analytics was the natural next step.For service members eyeing their own transitions, Bellamy left listeners with three takeaways:Leverage military lessons. Problem-solving and efficiency are universal skills.Don’t waste your SkillBridge. Treat it like a career pipeline, not a checkbox.Think like a consultant. Data and problem-solving translate across industries, not just the cleared space.Your clearance opens the door, but it’s your ability to adapt as a former military member and apply your skills that drives long-term success.