Career Advice for Veterans

Men and women who leave the military might put dangerous missions behind them, but they face a host of other challenges when they return to civilian life. In addition to adapting to a comparatively calm daily routine and dealing with other effects of service, military leavers have to find work with a new employer.

While civilian employers may respect military experience, they may struggle to see it as relevant to their workplace. The challenge for veterans is to present their background in ways that civilians can understand and appreciate.

Millions of Americans have experience with a branch of the armed forces, whether directly or through a co-worker, friend or family member. Yet many don't realize that some great benefits and resources are available to help military veterans find employment, although many vets remain jobless in today's struggling economy.

The world of school dances and spelling bees may seem light years removed from the disciplined and often dangerous world of the military. But numerous former troops have transitioned to teaching careers, many of them aided by government and nonprofit programs.

While working a job -- in the military or anywhere else -- it can seem at times like the task you do is so specific and limited that you'll never be qualified for anything else. Thankfully, while prevalent in the minds of many Americans, this is only a myth.

If you feel your military training was so specific you aren't qualified for anything outside your chosen field, you might be completely wrong. Bryan Rosendale, former U.S. Submarine Electronics Technician Second Class Petty Officer, found a way to pursue both his electronics training and his personal passion using the training he received in the Navy.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring 100 job fairs for veterans, with a goal of finding employment for 100,000 former service members and their spouses.

Making the transition from the military to the private sector can have lots of hurdles. In some cases, the biggest challenge isn’t getting the job; it’s succeeding in your new career.

Wondering what types of companies are most interested in hiring veterans? The answer: Federal government contractors and sub-contractors. Not just the obvious suspects like big defense contractors, such as Lockheed Martin, Northrup Grumman, Boeing, Raytheon and General Dynamics -- consider any firm that could possibly have a Federal government contract or subcontract.

Men and women in the military proudly serve our country every day, but when they return home to civilian life and begin to make their way into the private sector, they often do not receive the recognition, benefits, or services they have earned. Thankfully, there are numerous mentoring programs that are bringing veterans together with business professionals to help them with everything from resume writing and networking to negotiating salary and benefits.

Working in security is often considered a logical next step for former members of the military. Troops are trained in following a chain of command, handling crises and using force appropriately -- skills that frequently come into play for security guards.