I know someone who got a security clearance before even knowing what job he wanted
Your friend is bullshitting you. You don't get a security clearance for shits and giggles. Depending on the type it can be expensive to very expensive. And you don't apply for one directly, the company you work for applies for you.
This is why all the job sites have a security clearance jobs section. It's a pretty exclusive club and there are 2 ways to get in; join the military or get it through work.
Of that only 500k are going to private contractors. The majority of them are for military and government employees. Most of those military ones will separate and lose their clearances after 5 years, unless they get another job that renews it.
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Your friend is bullshitting you. You don't get a security clearance for shits and giggles. Depending on the type it can be expensive to very expensive. And you don't apply for one directly, the company you work for applies for you.
This is why all the job sites have a security clearance jobs section. It's a pretty exclusive club and there are 2 ways to get in; join the military or get it through work.
Not that exclusive--Over 4 million people have security clearances.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/06/12...
Of that only 500k are going to private contractors. The majority of them are for military and government employees. Most of those military ones will separate and lose their clearances after 5 years, unless they get another job that renews it.