Did anyone pursue a career in-line with their military specialty?

Your resume will reflect the shift in careers by your educational degree. Make sure to have an objectives statement on your resume that specifically outlines what you are looking for (usually the title of the job you are applying for). Then like you said, have great examples of leadership, management ability, critical thinking, decision-making, etc. that demonstrate your ability to thrive and succeed in the new environment. Just get to the interview step, then knock it out of the park. Have confidence.

As a 63150 POL - Fuel Specialist I parlayed that into a 27 year career in the oil business. I am now a Senior Oil Trader. 31 years since going active duty.

Well, I was a medic and retired as a 1SG with a BS in counseling and I finished a masters in psychology then a PhD in philosophy. I began my civilian career as a high school teacher and ended my 2nd career as an instructor teaching individuals to become classroom teachers. So, I would say to you that you have to play off your strengths, plan to retire again so pick a field you are interested in, and most important begin now. I heard all the complaints about not being able to accomplish much wile you're on active duty and with so many deployments its mostly true. So you have to take advantage of all any and all opportunities to prepare for your ETS/retirement.

Yup, was a 553x0 in the AF for 10 years, Civil Engineering. Did CADD, surveying, construction mgmt. Do the same for a City government in CA for the last 14 years. Before that, did CADD for 6 years in the private sector.

Tailor your resume to the job you are seeking. You may not have the robust technical resume for the career you are seeking if it isn't in your mil specialty, but if the job requires leadership, organization and the like, you can easily make a resume supporting those skills. Not going to lie though, it is much easier to find a job where your technical skills translate to the civilian world.

I had a B.S. in journalism before joining the Army, and decided to go the enlisted route because the public affairs specialist/NCO work was almost exactly like what I'd done and planned to do in the future--be a reporter and editor.

That said, I don't think your experience in a different area will hurt you at all--I think it will be a great asset. You're going to have a bachelor's and MBA, which will be the first thing employers in business will look at, you'll just have more experience as a working adult than most of the students in your class.

Take advantage of your school's career center. They should know which employers are especially military-friendly.

Yes and I am doing pretty good because of it. Computer security is pretty hot right now.

It is all how you write it up. Focus on the leadership, responsibility, flexibility, and accountability skills. In my case I started off as an Infantryman (11B) reclassed to Petroleum Supply Specialist (92F/77F) got out earned a B.S. in History with a minor in Philosophical Studies, a M.A. in Military History with a concentration in the Revolution and I am a Supplier Relationship Manager. The question you need to answer in your resume is what value would you bring to the prospective employer's organization. I cannot speak to the private sector as I have never worked in that arena. I was fortunate and got a federal job working for the Army. We do things a bit different than the private sector or the green suit side.

yup...In the army I was a 68W...worked in the civvy world as a paramedic

Absolutely, that was my goal, anyway.

I attempted to stay in the medical field, but when I returned, further schooling was not an option. And given the pay rates for EMTs in this area, I pursued other avenues of employment, but I did everything I could to be seriously considered by every hospital and clinic, with the goal being patient care.

Eventually, I found employment with a home health agency utilizing Army skills I had acquired not just from my MOS, but more general skills I'd honed in conducting various duties. Beyond the more abstract (leadership, team work, etc.), I had knowledge of proper inventory management, equipment troubleshooting and maintenance, workload management and tracking. . .. I put all of these skills to work as a medical records manager for the whole agency.

I do hope to expand my knowledge in the medical field as I go, but this ain't too bad if you ask me.

Lesson learned: If you payed any attention and did your best in the military, you learned more than your MOS, and that's an asset not to be forgotten.