Transitioning from the Military to an Unrelated Career Field
By: Justin Cordero
Tags: Mentorship, Veterans, Military, Careers, Work

Photo by Jessica Radanavong on Unsplash

Are you considering what to do post-military?

Maybe you plan on transitioning to the same civilian-equivalent occupation, or perhaps you are contemplating switching careers completely.

After eight years of serving in the Navy, as an aircraft mechanic, I found myself at a crossroads that many veterans before me have faced — Continuing with an already successful military career, or face the seemingly daunting task of reentering the civilian sector.

Perhaps you are currently facing the same dilemma. If so, there are a few options available to you:

1. Remain in the military and march forward on the path already carved out for you.

2. Enter the civilian workforce in an occupation that parallels your military career (i.e. Aircraft Mechanic, Logistics Specialist, I.T., etc.) and leverage the skills you already possess.

3. Change career fields completely and venture into the unknown.

The first two options are relatively self-explanatory, so we will not waste time elaborating on them. The latter, however, is much less straightforward and can be a tough road to navigate. The good news is, plenty of veterans have already successfully made the transition (including myself), and you can too.

You have decided to change careers, now what?

Hopefully, if you are coming to the realization that you would like to change careers, you still have time left in the service to act as a buffer to prepare yourself as much as possible.

Proper time-management from this point forward is critical to your success. Now is the time for some serious introspection. You should begin asking yourself questions such as:

What am I passionate about?

What are my hobbies?

What skills do I possess that can be monetized?

Would I prefer to work for a large business, a startup, a non-profit, or for myself?

Carefully considering these questions can get the wheels turning in your mind about a possible new career path to follow. Write the answers down on a piece of paper, while weighing the pros and cons of potential career opportunities that align with your vision.

Ultimately, this decision comes down to what you believe will bring you the most happiness and success moving forward.

Once you have decided what you want to do when you separate from the military, the next step is figuring out how you are going to accomplish this task.

It is no secret that some career paths are more easily accessible than others, but that should not stop you from pursuing what you truly desire. Theodore Roosevelt summarized it best,

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“Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty… I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life. I have envied a great many people who led difficult lives and led them well.”

Depending on your situation, this career change may include one or more of the following:

Pursuing a higher level of education.

Earning industry-specific certifications or licenses.

Starting a business from scratch.

Regardless of your path, now is the time to go all in.

Develop an actionable plan with a structured timeline, including deadlines, to hold yourself accountable to your goals.

Figure out how you will support yourself as you gain the necessary knowledge to enter your new field.

Will you need to take a part-time position to pay your bills while attending college classes?

Are there entry-level roles related to your new career path that you can pursue?

Now would also be an ideal time to seek out a mentor and affiliate yourself with various veteran groups. Seek out Facebook groups, LinkedIn connections, and non-profit organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars to assist you in developing your gameplan. They may be able to help you uncover benefits or financial opportunities that you were previously unaware of.

The veteran community is amazing and unlike any other — It is one that you should be proud to be a part of and contribute to.

As veterans, we have a plethora of resources at our disposal and access to a wide network of fellow veterans in every industry imaginable. The beautiful part about this network is that almost everybody that you encounter has faced similar challenges as you and, in most cases, they are happy to offer their advice and assistance. We share a unique bond through our service that is unmatched in other circles.

If you have a year or more left prior to separation, look into the Department of Defense SkillBridge program immediately. This program can be an unbelievably powerful asset in your transition. It will allow you to continue to receive your full military pay and benefits while utilizing up-to your last six months on active duty to pursue an internship, job opportunity, or career training program.

Being proactive and setting yourself up for a successful transition must be the priority in your life. Every available moment of your time needs to be dedicated to preparation for your new venture.

You will be competing for employment opportunities against civilians with years of relevant experience that you probably do not possess.

Luckily, you have something else…

Years of military service has armed you with an unmatched grit and dedication to mission-success that few civilians can match. This process will by no means be an easy one, but it is manageable with proper preparation.

Once you know what you want, there is no turning back. Push forward with an unrelenting commitment to your goal and you will prosper.

Do not forget to lean on your network if you are feeling lost or hopeless. There are no medals for suffering in silence!

Decide what you want to do. Research the requirements and prerequisites. Develop your plan. Set deadlines. Expand your network. Execute.

An exciting adventure lies ahead as you transition careers.

The success you experience, or fail to experience, will be a direct result of what you commit to doing today and each day moving forward. Expect to face obstacles, but know that you will overcome them.

Good luck and get after it!