Posted on Jul 22, 2015
Any Former Officers discover a great career fit in the civilian sector? What were the keys to success and who were your greatest advisors?
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I've been searching for a great career fit for over 3 years now, and have been job hopping. As soon as I realize the job is not a good fit, I start looking for the next "fix". I'm wondering if any successfully transitioned Officers can provide advice. I'm currently earning an MBA with a Health Administration focus in hopes of breaking into the Health Management /Allied Health career field.
CPT
Transition
Officers
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 17
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One thing I would suggest is to have an open mind. The best advice is to be open to different opportunities. Prepare yourself to win every interview you have because you get to see so much more by doing that. If you really focus on the opportunity at hand, try to understand what you're interviewing for, what the position is, and what the company needs, you get exposed to a lot of opportunities. You can always narrow your search once you figure out something isn't a fit, but people who limit themselves often pass up on perfect opportunities.
Another thing is that if you're tied down to a particular location it obviously limits your exposure to opportunities. So if you're getting out of the military and have some flexibility on where you can go, it opens a really wide net.
Another thing is that if you're tied down to a particular location it obviously limits your exposure to opportunities. So if you're getting out of the military and have some flexibility on where you can go, it opens a really wide net.
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CPT Jason Mitchell, MBA
Great advice. Thank you, David. I'm definitely limited by my location (Austin, TX), but I'm moving to New Orleans, LA soon, and the healthcare field is quite robust there.
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Sgt David G Duchesneau
New Orleans is a good move Captain and you should do real well in the Healthcare Profession there. They definitely have their problems, that's for damn sure. Good luck in your endeavors and as you know, "Go out and be all you can be!"
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CPT Jason Mitchell, MBA I have a lot of talent contacts on LinkedIn as well as a lot of Healthcare C Suite type officials that I'm connected with. I would recommend that you send me a LinkedIn connection request and you can start digging through my connections. Healthcare is growing a huge pace and I believe that is a great field to get into, but there are individual out there that can lead you in the right direction (i.e. what positions to apply for to get your foot in the door with Hospital Administration. It is definitely experience driven. Just a thought.
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So, a question that I have would be: Do you know what you really want? Followed by: are you looking for an immediate "fit"?? The reason I am asking is that getting into an area of interest always helps, BUT at the same time, you will likely need at least a year to become fully proficient in whatever job/career you take....once you know the ropes what can you do to OWN the program/job/career that you have been tasked with? In no way am I saying that you have done anything incorrectly, just something to think about....self introspect....is it the job, the duties, the co-workers, or self that is making the job not fit? What can YOU do to change this pattern? Good luck! I am going to be starting the same process within the next 6 months and am hoping for success also!
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CPT Jason Mitchell, MBA
Sir, great question in regards to "who I want to be". I'm still figuring that out, and it may take years more. However, I want to find something that works with my lifestyle, family needs, and financial goals. Seems that I either shot low when I transitioned out, or the line of bull about former officers being preferred for management roles is flat out wrong (in my experience). Had to start from ground level in both industries I attempted and it was hard to stomach the lack of leadership opportunity along with abysmal pay. I will admit that my inability to move anywhere in the country limited opportunities, and my undergraduate degree in History did not help either.
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Maj Chris Nelson
I can understand your frustrations. Keep in mind that "hiring former officers" is a double edge knife. I had a Wing Commander (base commander) O-6, 5000 people in his leadership (between AD, GS, Contractor, etc).... Nuke Missile Wing.... His degree of leadership in the military is HUGE. He had a TERRIBLE time finding a job at the level he was used to working with... On the civilian side, it will be difficult to find a job to START at the same level of responsibility....EVERYONE works UP to that type of level. As a Captain, You probably had more leadership experience then many people your same age (and older) with more responsibility over greater numbers of people, assets, programs, etc..... In many cases, they hire you at a lower level to learn their business...they are hiring you for what you can do for them down the road...maybe not specifically today. When you get one of these types of positions, your goals should be 1. Learn the job. 2. Learn the jobs of those around you. 3. Start focusing on how you can facilitate change for the better within the constructs of that business. Make the job YOURS. Promotions often come after you have shown that you are deserving of them.
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