Welcome!
My goal is to give you the tools you need to be successful in your civilian career. If you have a sense of what you'd like to do after your military service, I'd recommend checking out industry or functional role specific episodes on our podcast page. However, if you're like most military members I speak with, you may not have a clue about what you want to do once you get out of the military. I know I didn't. Because of this, I've put together a little welcome packet below to help you get started. Enjoy, and let me know if you have any questions.
Step 1
I would start with this episode. I think of this interview more than any other interview I've done. The book is written on the premises that the advice "follow your passion" is the worst possible advice you can give someone about their career. It introduces a concept called "the craftsman mindset" that I think will be an important first step as you think about your civilian career.
Step 2
I still find my interview with Nate Boyer to be incredibly motivating. Nate went from the Green Beret to be a walk-on at UT Austin and then to play for the Seattle Seahawks. What I love about his story is the sense that Veterans can do anything they put their mind to, and that resilience and determination makes all the difference.
Step 3
Although Jacob Martinez's story is about entrepreneurship, I believe the advice he provides is helpful to all Veterans. More than anyone I have interviewed, Jacob is committed to lifelong learning - to always growing, pushing himself and his team forward. I think this mindset is helpful to have as you approach your career transition.
Step 4
Start exploring career options. The only way to know what will be right for you is to start experimenting. Pick a few episodes from each career and see what resonates with you. So many people I have interviewed have changed their career path multiple times since transitioning from the military. However, the process is always the same - have a "virtual coffee chat" with Veterans in every industry with Beyond the Uniform, and start closing doors on career paths that don't seem like a good fit for you.