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For many veterans, like Nick Perez, transitioning from the military can feel like stepping into a new world filled with unfamiliar rules and social cues. In the latest episode of our podcast, Nick shares his experiences since retiring from the United States Air Force. Having spent decades in military service, the shift to corporate culture has brought both challenges and unexpected joys. In this episode, he gets honest while sharing stories of his job search and his experience adapting to corporate culture.
 
Nick’s transition began with a SkillBridge program that he engaged in just before his official retirement. This program aimed to bridge the gap between military skills and civilian job requirements. By having established connections through Allegiant Vets, he was able to hone his skills, particularly in project management, before making the leap into his new role at Dish Network as an instructional designer.
 
However, transitioning isn't always seamless. During his job search, Nick attended several different job fairs. He recounts frustrations faced while navigating these events, particularly the disappointment in realizing that many were more geared toward certain jobs, often unrelated to his career goals. This experience brings home the larger message about being strategic rather than unfocused in a job search.
 
Nick also discusses the challenges faced in interviews, from giving extensive presentations to encountering unexpected situations that felt unprofessional. The key takeaway here is the importance of valuing one's time and recognizing that an interview goes both ways. After all, it’s not simply about convincing a company to hire you; it’s equally important to assess whether their culture and values align with your own.
 
As Nick reflects on feeling isolated in a new workplace, he highlights the importance of finding community. He shares how joining a veteran resource group transformed his experience, offering both connection and support in navigating corporate culture. The camaraderie he found there is a reminder of the family similar to the bonds often felt in the military, and how important it is to recreate that sense of belonging.
 
Nick's journey emphasizes that adaptability is crucial. While he holds a somewhat cynical view on the concept of the “perfect job,” he encourages listeners to understand that career paths can be fluid. As expectations evolve, veterans can adjust their list of “non-negotiables” when evaluating potential jobs.
 
Nick leaves our audience with an empowering message: perseverance. No matter how challenging the transition might seem, the determination to keep moving forward is key. He reminds us that every veteran's journey is unique and should be navigated with the understanding that both good and bad days are part of the process.

You can connect with Nick Perez at https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-r-perez1/

Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22
 
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The Lessons Learned for Vets Podcast is sponsored by Seek Now and their Drive Academy. Seek Now is the property inspection industry's leading business and they created Drive Academy DoD SkillBridge and CSP internships to teach transitioning military service members and veterans skills that prepare them for lucrative and rewarding careers in the property inspection and insurance industries. You can learn more and apply today at www.internwithdrive.com.