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May 12, 2020
If you are active duty, can you articulate the attributes of the type of job you want when you get out of the military?
If you are active duty, can you articulate the attributes of the type of job you want when you get out of the military?
3 answers3 replies
I've been retired from the Marine Corps for 11 years now, so I won't answer this specific question, but I just want to say that this question was the hardest one for me to answer before I retired, and I actually didn't come up with an answer until 3 years out. It's tough, but I just assumed I would figure it out or that jobs would come to me easy, and that was not the case. I encourage you to take this question from @Josh Atkinson to heart...and come up with an answer you really believe for yourself before you get out and start looking for jobs that match it.
I was like you Tim and I didn't know either. I thought the position or title solved it, like the military. You generally knew what life would be like based on unit type and billet and your MOS. The biggest change in the civilian world though, is that you also have a choice. You don't just have to "make lemonade"
I am still several years from retiring but I have already started to pursue some additional skill sets to aid in my transition which will hopefully take me into the IT sector (Cloud, Blockchain, AI, etc.). The attributes I am looking for in this new job would be flexibility and independence, such as a new start up or entrepreneurial type position ... I would like to get away from the rigidity of the DOD/military construct. Another important attribute would be location. After being told where to live for the past 17 years, I am looking forward to living somewhere I want and find a job that is close by so family interaction can be a priority.
@Justin Owens I sure do agree with the way you fell about an entrepreneurial type position. That was me. I loved the Marine Corps but was really ready to enjoy some creative freedom and get paid for what I contribute or what I am able to generate. There are tons of entrepreneurial situations involving project management. Freelance consulting or contracting out your project management services to companies who need PM help, but can afford a long-term employee are great areas to explore. If you're ok with a little uncertainty, you can make a lot more money and enjoy way more freedom doing your own thing. I'm an example of that - I started PM-ProLearn.
I am an Army transportation / logistics officer. I know the transition will be hard after more than 24 years in the military (the only job I have really had). The biggest attribute I am look it is if I can use the specific experiences I have gained over the years. I am especially looking for a company where I can use my technical knowledge and certifications (PMP and CSCP). I acquired them to help with my transition so I want to cash in on them.
Ryan, this may seem like a simple question, but applying the 5 why principle of lean. why do you want to use these certs? in what type of work environment, solving what problems? what corporate structure do you want to have, why type of customers and projects, what team structure and authorities, indoor or outdoor environment?