What Makes a Successful Transition from Military to Civilian Life?

Like every new beginning the transition from active duty to the civilian life involves various challenges. Many of these challenges include mental adjustments to the new and perhaps less structured environment of the civilian life. For the first time you are no longer a soldier and your daily schedule is not set for you. More than ever, it is time to take initiative, understand your advantages, acquired skills and look for ways to apply them outside the military. The key point is to realize that this new reality brings about not only challenges but also numerous new opportunities for personal and career growth. Planning your career ahead is never an easy task, especially when joining the work force after years of service. In principle, however, the process is almost the same for veterans and non-veterans.

As a first step, it is important to conduct an in depth research evaluating the market as well as the targeted fields. The goal of the research is coming up with a set of insights including the available job opportunities, the level of education needed and the skill set required for performing the job of interest. (One source for conducting such research is the Occupation Outlook Handbook, www.bls.gov/ooh).  A good rule of thumb is finding a match between your interests, skills and values and your future occupation. The Center for Career Development (C-102) also provides an assessment test meant to help in evaluating your interests and choosing your future career.

Many employers are aware of the exceptional value veterans may add to their teams. They understand that many of the qualities possessed by most veterans cannot be learned in any other professional environment. The good news are many of these qualities can be easily translated into transferable skills that can be used as valuable assets when searching for a job. Thus, as you craft your new resume it is always a good idea to showcase and demonstrate the skills that may be applicable for the desired job.

Some of these skills are:

• Technical skills – Some of the practical skills learned during military service have their private sector equivalences. These can include specialized machinery application, software development and more.
• Decision Making – The ability to analyze information and choose the best possible alternative given a number of options.
• Leadership – The ability to inspire and influence others to work towards the organization’s goal. This is a skill that is normally developed in many military assignments and can be readily applied to other organizations.
• Organizational skills – Ability to manage projects and assign deadlines based on predetermined priorities. It also requires attention to details in generating quality reports.
• Cooperation & Team Work – The ability to function as part of a larger group, understand your role in the whole system and contribute your part with dedication to the success of the project.
• Unique personal qualities: Being able to work under pressure and perform in time sensitive environments, responsibility and hard work ethics.

For assistance in incorporating these skills and others into your resume effectively you may schedule an appointment with a career adviser in C-102.

Resources dedicated to assisting veterans in career development:

As part of the job search it is recommended to lookup the resources available for veterans. Keep in mind that while some of these resources are funded by the government others are paid and unpaid services offered by non-profit and private organizations.

1. Vetjobs.com - VetJobs is one of the leading jobs boards geared towards veterans’ employment and their families.
2. The Veterans Employment Center (VEC) is a federal government’s internet source created to help veterans and their families in transitioning to a meaningful career opportunities. The employment center strives to connect veterans with reputable employers from the private and public sectors. Using the online portal a member can create a profile that can be easily shared to employer for hiring purposes. In addition the website offers job listings and Job/career fairs.
3. www.taonline.com/jobsaurus/ - This website helps describing your military position, skills and experience in civilian terms. You simply type in your position held during service and the website’s generates a job description options that may fit in a civilian job settings.
4.  www.Vetnet.com – Provides training services including resume workshops as well as database of over a million Veteran-preferred jobs.
5. Federal Employment & Internship Opportunities – The US Department of the Treasury posts jobs and offers non-paid internship opportunities to Veterans.
   Treasury Department Careers, http://www.treasury.gov/careers/Pages/veterans.aspx