contributed by Melissa Lucas, senior staff writer
Fantastic post-military jobs are everywhere. Yet trying to find ideal jobs for former military personnel during the first few months after separation can be a bit stressful.
Here’s the thing – it’s all about transferrable skills. And while every branch, unit, and individual is different, there are certainly some highly marketable skills common among Veterans. Not only do these skills set former service men and women apart from the rest of the applicant pool, but they also make certain jobs the perfect fit for newly separated Vets.
Some of the best military to civilian careers might not immediately be on your radar, but when you think about the skills required to excel in these fields, you’ll probably find that you’re better prepared than you thought. Below is a list of 6 post-military jobs you may not have considered.
Surgical technicians work as part of a team in the fast-paced, often high-pressure, surgical environment. They play a dual role, first preparing the operating room, patients, and rest of the team for surgery before working closely with surgeons to ensure the proper equipment and tools are always on hand and nearby throughout the procedure. Veterans who love an adrenaline rush as much as they love helping people might find some of the best post-military careers to be in the medical field.
Training requirements – Typically, a form of post-secondary education is required to become a certified surgical technician. Programs can be found at many community colleges or vocational schools and range in duration from a few months to two years.
When racking your brain for the best jobs after the military, social work probably doesn’t come to mind. However, family social workers serve diverse populations with a wide range of concerns in an effort to restore stability to families in crisis. They can wear any number of hats in any given day. In order to make that work, social workers must be highly adaptable. They have to think on their feet, use the resources at their disposal, and change course at a moment’s notice. These abilities are critical to success in the military, as well.
Training requirements – A high school diploma or equivalent is usually the minimum requirement. Additional training in subjects such as social science or human services can be beneficial, as well.
It’s common for former military pilots to seek private or commercial aviation jobs after the military, but what about air traffic control? This field requires similar judgement and decision-making skills and can be a great place to find civilian jobs for veterans who spent their active-duty time in aviation. There are several specialties within the field – including tower controllers, clearance controllers, ground controllers, and approach controllers – providing several post-military career options for a veteran who loves to fly.
Training requirements – In order to prove they are capable of handling the responsibilities, job candidates must pass an FAA approved assessment and training program; however, it is also possible that related military training will count towards the education requirement in the U.S.
Some of the best jobs for former military service men and women involve applying soft skills learned over the course of a military career, but in new scenarios. At the end of the day, jobs in customer service come down to effective and efficient problem solving. Sound familiar? It’s safe to say that every industry has a need for customer service representatives, so there’s rarely a shortage of available jobs in this field.
Training requirements – Many companies require their customer service representatives to have a high school diploma or equivalent. Most other training can take place on the job; however, some industries may require a bit of continuing education to ensure that all representatives have a clear understanding of industry-specific regulations and/or products.
Logistician, logistics specialist, logistics analyst. Whatever the official title, this may be one of the best jobs for retired military personnel – because what are service men and women great at if not logistics? In fact, the federal government employs more logisticians than any other industry, and since many veterans search for government jobs after military separation, this one could be a great fit. In the civilian world, a job in logistics requires a high level of situational awareness, which veterans definitely need in order to be successful during their military career.
Training requirements – An associate’s degree in business or engineering can be very beneficial as a logistician, but it’s not usually a must. Logistics job requirements tend to be more focused on relevant work experience, such as that gained through military training and operational experience.
Web developers – those responsible for building websites using a variety of coding languages – have to have some serious attention to detail. One misplaced character can mean the difference between a functional website and a major headache. It’s long been said that the tech sector includes many of the best jobs for retired military personnel, and the need for attention to detail is a major factor in that distinction.
Training requirements – Another reason this is a great post-military job option: while formal education won’t hurt, web development it’s one of those fields where proven skills tend to be more important than a certificate or degree. Interested? Consider starting with Code Platoon’s online coding bootcamp which teaches veterans the skills needed to land web development careers after the military.
Chapter 36 is the perfect place to start when trying to determine what to do after the military. The program offers counselling to help veterans establish the educational and career path that suits them best.
In addition, veterans diagnosed with a service-connected disability can take advantage of Chapter 31, which provides several career and educational coaching options aimed at helping disabled veterans achieve long-term goals.
The following articles may also be helpful during your post-military job search.
How to Spot Job Scams: 11 Red Flags
4 Ways to Determine a Company’s Workplace Culture
Veteran’s Guide to Starting a Tech Enterprise
15 Tips for a Successful Interview in Your Post Military Career
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