“Aim high - aim way higher than you think that you should. Because you have so much to offer and we need your expertise and talent in the private sector; we'd be lucky to have you. But you've gotta go for it. Don't let this be the moment in your career or life where you settle. You've got to go for it. And so let this be the time when you really shoot for the stars because you've earned it - you've earned this opportunity."
– Bethany Coates

Normally, I interview a veteran about their civilian career. In this episode, instead, I interview an amazing company that is helping veterans in their career transition.

BreakLine is an education and employment company that builds an affordable path to compelling careers. Their programs combine skills-based training with professional networking and connect participants directly with hiring managers.

Bethany Coates is the Founder & CEO of BreakLine. She has served as the Assistant Dean at Stanford Graduate School of Business, and has been a consultant at McKinsey & Co. She holds an MBA from Stanford Business School, and a BA from Princeton University.

In this conversation, we cover a lot of topics, including:

• What listeners should know about Breakline Education
• An overview of the upcoming event, Breakline Technology
• An overview of the application process for Breakline Tech
• The strengths and weaknesses that veterans bring to the private sector
• Advice on improving a veteran's resume, LinkedIn Profile, and interview techniques
• And much, much more…

Selected Links

• Another interview the discusses the impact of an immersive program similar to Breakline - Tradecraft - is my interview with RaeAnne Pae (BTU #26)
• Some of the companies that Bethany mentioned that work with Breakline Education are: Medallia, Nielsoft, Box, Andreessen Horowitz, Paypal, BMZ, and LifeLock
• Breakline Tech - an alternative to traditional education and one-stop shopping experience for veterans. This program is an immersive experience with technology companies in the United States.
  • Application Deadline: 12/6/16
  • Cost: $475
  • Duration: 1 month
  • Dates: 2/21/17 - 3/17/17
  • Company immersive experience include: Andreessen Horowitz, Paypal, BMZ, and LifeLock
• Breakline Finance - an immersive program for veterans curious or interested in careers at First Republic Bank and in Financial Services in general
  • Application Deadline: 1/30/17
  • Cost: $75
  • Duration: 1 week
  • Dates: 5/1/17 - 5/5/17
  • Company immersive experience include: First Republic Bank

Show Notes

• 1:51 - An overview of Breakline Education & their founder, Bethany Coates
• 2:55 - What listeners should know about Breakline Education
• 3:35 - How Bethany started Breakline Education
• 7:15 - In Breakline's 8 months of operation, nearly 100 veterans have worked with them. Here's a look at what some of their alumnus have done afterwards
• 10:25 - Common veteran backgrounds for veterans working with Breakline
• 12:38 - An overview of the upcoming event, Breakline Technology
• 19:41 - How many people will join the Breakline Technology group in February
• 23:58 - At the end of Breakline Technology's one month program, what they can expect
• 26:00 - The ideal timing for a veteran to attend the Breakline Tech group
• 28:38 - Indications that a veteran may be well suited to Breakline Tech, and indications that it might not be a good fit
• 31:03 - An overview of the application process for Breakline Tech
• 34:45 - The deadline for applications is December 6, 2016
• 35:10 - An overview of the Breakline Finance experience
• 37:21 - The dates for the Breakline Finance program and the deadline for the application
• 37:40 - An overview of the application process for Breakline Finance
• 38:05 - If you're unable to attend this year's Breakline Technology or Breakline Finance a look at the future schedule
• 38:54 - The strengths and weaknesses that veterans bring to the private sector
• 43:40 - Bethany's advice in regards to improving a veteran's resume
• 46:00 - Bethany's advice in regards to improving a veteran's LinkedIn Profile
• 48:20 - Bethany's advice for how veterans could improve in their interview process
• 49:44 - Bethany's final words of wisdom.