Generally speaking, California employment contract provisions that prohibit an employee from working for another employer after completion of his employment or imposing a penalty on the employee are invalid. However, there are some exceptions, including the employer's ability to enforce covenants that prohibit an employee from disclosing trade secrets and covenants that prohibit an employee from working for a competitor while working for the employer.Based on your question, the non-compete might prevent you from working for a competitor while working for your employer.  However, once you are no longer working for the company, you are free to work elsewhere so long as you don't disclose any trade secrets. A business law attorney can help you determine whether any work you are doing right now qualifies as trade secrets.