Military Clerk, Adjutant Generals Corp (AGC) Staff and Personnel Support (SPS), now Cyber Security Consultant
What was the biggest culture shock or adjustment you experienced when moving from the Armed Forces to the corporate environment?
It was not too much of a shock to me. I left the military and worked in education for years before changing career. What I can say is that when it comes to corporate environments, this is one of the best I have worked in. When people say they will help, they will, and when you ask for advise you get it. People here are welcoming, willing to support you and really care that you achieve. Not all corporate environments are this way.
What aspects of your current role most closely align with your military experience?
I think it is the problem solving, or guiding people through something. In the military I was a subject matter expert, so people would come to me for advice and guidance. I could convert technical terms into something people could understand and grasp. This is something that as a Consultant I do too.
How did you identify and target the security/risk management sector as your post-military career path?
It was my post, post military career path. I looked at what skills and qualities I had and aligned them with jobs of interest. As I like to learn, as I like to problem solve and come up with solutions, this role sounded very interesting to me. Plus I was always the person that helped people with IT, developing technology, and testing, it so it linked well with some of my abilities.
Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently during your transition from military to civilian career?
I would have considered what I really wanted to do after the military. In a blink of an eye, a year has gone. Back then, the support services were not so great to aid you in finding something that suits you. The services today are fantastic and I would suggest, finding something you enjoy doing and then really delve into it. Find out all you can and begin educating yourself during that transition to put you in a great position once you leave. Make sure that your CV really does sell you too. That is pretty essential.
What advice would you give to employers about recognising and utilising the value that veterans can bring to their organisations?
I think the key point is this. We all carried out specific roles in the military. Yes, we were soldiers etc., but the skills, qualities, and experiences we have means we are literally at the top of our game in the areas we worked. So, put aside the solider part, you have a self-disciplined, capable, honest, and trustworthy employee that goes above and beyond in their role. Give them a chance, they may be different, but having different in your team is always a good thing. They bring a different perspective that can, and does, support others and what you are trying to achieve.
What would you advise to someone who is looking to seek employment post a military career?
Take your time and really know what you enjoy doing. I left and carried on doing what I did in the military. Not because I enjoyed it that much, but because I was good at it.
Make sure you show case yourself, in your CV. It is hard at times to really sell yourself in a CV, but everyone else does it. Use the experiences, the skills, and qualities you have to really make your CV shine above the rest, as it should do.