What is the best MOS for a career in the civilian sector?

2017-07-06T02:34:40-04:00

What would be your top MOSs for the civilian sector and why?

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2017 6:17 AM

2017-07-06T06:17:19-04:00

Looking back, I think anything medical or IT (computer) related would make for an easier transition into the civilian sector.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2017 6:19 AM

2017-07-06T06:19:01-04:00

Aviation is a pretty good one A&P mechanics make very good money and you can find a job anywhere there's an airport or airfield

Response by SFC Stephen Carden made Jul 6 at 2017 7:13 AM

2017-07-06T07:13:20-04:00

I would rank anything signal, logistics, or medical as the top MOS groups that convert well to the civilian world.
Almost any MOS can be converted to civilian employment. The obvious exceptions are things like infantry, artillery, ADA, etc. My son was a Satellite Systems Operator/Maintainer, and he was lucky enough to acquire all of the certifications he needed while in uniform to be able to turn that into an equivalent civilian career. I was a Psychological Operations NCO. That is most equivalent to marketing or advertising in the civilian sector. However, these jobs are extremely competitive, and civilian hiring managers can't draw the comparisons. The best opportunity for guys with my MOS is to work as a civilian contractor. but those companies require at least a baccalaureate degree. If I hadn't gotten a degree in business while I was in uniform, I'd probably be working in some low wage job. So, the bottom line is, you can turn your experience in any MOS into a civilian career, but make sure you do your research on the median qualifications that employers look for on the outside, and try and get those credentials while in uniform. If that means you have to pass up partying with your friends or watching Game of Thrones to attend night classes, then suck it up and do it. Even if you have to pay out of your own pocket (I didn't pay a dime for my degree under the TAP) it is totally worth the sacrifice later on. That doesn't really address the experience factor. If you serve at least two 4-year tours, then you can usually parlay that into civilian experience. If you only serve one tour and out then, even with the education /credentials, you may still be relegated to entry level jobs based on your experience level. Also, be flexible on location. Some of the best jobs may require you to move. Good luck.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2017 7:20 AM

2017-07-06T07:20:04-04:00

Does the AFSC/MOS/Rating matter if you don't have any current certifications which make you marketable in the civilian sector?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2017 9:19 AM

2017-07-06T09:19:33-04:00

I would say if you have a passion for whatever you enjoy doing, then that can lead to a successful career as it will drive your goals and performance. I have a passion for IT and am always increasing my knowledge, whether work related or not, which helps me in my civilian career. I work towards certifications and pursue different avenues of training, simply because it is what I love and my coworkers and leadership, as well as those in my Reserve unit, recognize that I know a lot of topics in depth.

I would echo that IT/Medical/Logistics/Intel are hot civilian sector topics. I would add Cyber is one of the main areas growing right now. As technology advances, we experience a need to maintain cyber defenses, in the DoD, as well as the corporate sector. Whether just a basic network defender, IA person, or penetration tester, there are always many companies looking to bolster their networks whenever we have a published outbreak of things like WannaCry ransomware, or Target's credit card breach, or Yahoo's email account breach. You can expect trained cyber specialists to be in high market demand for the future. So 17C is a prime MOS.

So I ask since this is a discussion posted in the transition group, is this a question you pose due to preparing to ETS into the civilian world, transitioning to another MOS and scoping out something for when you do go into the civilian world, or are you perhaps going into the civilian world and looking to reclass as you join the Reserves or National Guard? The RP community can probably provide a bit more guided feedback to help you get more information.

Response by SSG Ralph Watkins made Jul 6 at 2017 11:04 AM

2017-07-06T11:04:49-04:00

I used to be in Signals Intelligence. Forget getting a job in that field when you get out. However, our repair folks (33-series back then) had no problems finding good paying jobs when they got out. One of our 33S types got kicked out for being fat. The 1SG hated him. 6 months later the 1SG got a nice card from the guy thanking him for kicking him out. This was back in the 80s & the guy landed a job making $150K a year. They didn't care he was fat, he knew electronic repair. The 1SG didn't know where to be mad or laugh.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2017 12:16 PM

2017-07-06T12:16:20-04:00

I'm with the others, Logistics, Medical, Aviation some specialty work H Vac, heavy equipment...

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jul 6 at 2017 12:20 PM

2017-07-06T12:20:05-04:00

Information Technology and skilled trades are my top choices.

Any career field that deals with information technology hardware, software, communications, or security should convert to the private sector well. Company I worked for gave great credit to a veteran with IT training and experience when recruiting for IT jobs. If you can squeeze out an AS or BS degree in IT while you're in the Service even better.

Skilled trades are in high demand in some areas. Military services may not provide opportunities for training and experience in many of these trades because much of the base maintenance and public works functions have been out-sourced. If you have training and experience in welding, carpentry, masonry, plumbing, electrician, HVAC, heavy equipment operations, then there's a market for your skills. Closely related is diesel mechanic, jet engine mechanic.

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Jul 6 at 2017 12:59 PM

2017-07-06T12:59:47-04:00

11B. You practically have to fight off employers.

:/

Response by SFC David Pope, MBA made Jul 9 at 2017 11:34 AM

2017-07-09T11:34:05-04:00

I see a lot of former infantry working in law enforcement, construction, private security and outfitters. The tech side seams obvious, but you never know. I was communications for 11 years, and those jobs in civilian life didn't pay as well as being a plumber. After changing to artillery I ended up in architectural design and then in the rebar industry. I run a rebar company now as VP of operations and consultant. The most important tool that I took from the army was my leadership training. The second is multitasking. I run a rebar company, am a volunteer city emergency manager (FEMA Certified), run a Boy Scout group and have an MBA in Accounting. Good leaders are good followers, and any company recognizes that.