Lessons Learned for Vets

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Amber Kulesza served 12 years in the Air Force and Air Force Reserves. Her transition was unexpected, and she wasn’t given much time to plan. Despite these challenges, she navigated through the transition with the help of a robust network and leveraging certifications to upskill. After working in human resources for the State of Florida, she took a year to travel, decompress, explore career possibilities and position herself for her next chapter. The transition process is just that, a process. It doesn’t happen overnight and isn’t complete once you land your first role. Most veterans will tell you they are still transitioning in some way or another. 

When Amber made the decision to continue her service in the reserves, she was given the opportunity to attend the Transition Assistance Program (TAP). Like so many service members, she created her LinkedIn profile and let it sit, untouched. Six years later, Amber began the process of separating from the reserves and was not able to attend TAP again. She took it upon herself to begin aggressively connecting with people on LinkedIn and having intentional conversations. Her transition occurred pre-COVID and certain technology, like Zoom, was not commonplace. Living in California with a goal of relocating to Florida, it became apparent Amber needed to move to Florida to continue the job search process in person. 

Amber earned her B.S. in Social and Criminal Justice with the intent of pursuing law enforcement. Injuries prevented her from continuing that path, so she made the decision to learn about human resources in the civilian sector. Having worked in HR for the Air Force, Amber thought it would be a smooth transition. After conducing informational interviews, she realized HR in the military versus HR in the civilian world were very different. Amber connected with Onward to Opportunity to learn more about the industry and earned her PHR certification.

After 16 months in an HR position and realizing the industry wasn’t right for her, Amber made the decision to take one year and travel across the country with the intent to decompress and plan her next chapter. She engaged her network once again and met many connections in person during her travels. Although she didn’t necessarily know the job title she wanted, she identified the skill sets she wanted to use and relied on her network to help her plan next steps.

Amber reflects on the mental shift of leaving the military. She felt the loss of her military family and their support. After Amber was separated and building her network through LinkedIn, she found a new support system in programs like Veterati and American Corporate Partners. These groups offered her a safe environment to ask questions, learn about careers and focus on her unique value. She checked her ego and opened herself up to listening and learning. Amber discusses the importance of learning how to ask for assistance during the transition process.

Many people are afraid to take big risks and make big changes. Amber acknowledges that she was fortunate to have the opportunity to take a year to travel and explore. Having a space of time between your next career and the military is important – even if it’s just 2 weeks. Give yourself time to decompress and recalibrate. Amber stresses the importance of having a solid network to lean into and reminds people that your job, whether in the military or after, does not define you. You did not do the military alone, neither should you do your transition alone.

Head over to the Lessons Learned for Vets YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22 to hear a bonus clip of lessons learned from Amber’s transition.

You can connect with Amber at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-kulesza/

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After serving 10 years as active duty Air Force, Jeremy Montgomery, who goes by Monte, served an additional 12 years in the Air National Guard. When he retired in 2020, he used LinkedIn to grow his network and ultimately land a role with Fusion Cell as their business development manager. Although hired right away, Jeremy reflects on his transition and shares his mistakes and offers advice to ensure a smoother transition for others. Monte is a visible presence on LinkedIn and a fierce advocate for the veteran, transitioning military and spouse community.

When Monte made the decision to retire, he was unaware of the resources available to him. Although the Transitioning Assistance Program (TAP) was valuable, it also lacked the depth he needed to fully navigate his transition. He admits he believed he would be able to transition without the aid of others. Looking back, he realizes his decision to isolate himself led to mistakes which could have been avoided and prevented had he reached out for assistance. How do you overcome not knowing what you don’t know? You network. Using LinkedIn to network exposes you to an environment that will teach you what you don’t know. 

Monte’s experience with going through it alone isn’t unique. In his current position as Director of Business Development at Fusion Cell, he has mentored hundreds of people through the transition and job search process. His biggest advice – do not go at this alone. While you may have valuable experience from the military, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will be translated in job applications without you networking alongside.

Monte discusses the different seasons of LinkedIn. In the inaugural season, people build their network and form relationships to assist them with getting a job. Once hired, many people abandon LinkedIn only to resurface when they are looking for another job. Monte encourages people to stay active on LinkedIn when happily employed. During Season 2, network with people who have similar roles with different companies and expose yourself to new and different ideas. Become a subject matter expert in your industry and start researching your company’s competitors. In Season 3, reach out to others and help them through the transition process. As a subject matter expert, you have a lot to offer. 

Be Genuine. Be Deliberate. Be Consistent. When posting on LinkedIn, follow this formula to build organic content. Post something that is meaningful to you and don’t get caught up in the approval ratings. At Fusion Cell, Jeremy has found his own voice and style on LinkedIn after regularly posting and engaging on LinkedIn. 

Fusion Cell seeks to pair military veterans and spouses with meaningful careers with companies who support the military community. Companies are vetted before they become partners to ensure their dedication to hiring and retaining veterans and military spouses. One of the programs near and dear to Monte is Mil/Vet Spouse Mondays. After reviewing the data for underemployed and unemployed military spouses, Monte created this virtual opportunity to highlight this community and share resources and opportunities. Monte challenges all military service members to acknowledge the sacrifices their spouses have made in support of their service. 

Head over to the Lessons Learned for Vets YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22 to hear a bonus clip on how to reverse engineer your job description. 

Check out Fusion Cell at https://www.fusioncell.com/

Follow Fusion Cell on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/fusioncell/

You can connect with Jeremy “Monte” Montgomery on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/monte101/

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Having served 7 years as a US Army intelligence officer, Sarah Ostrowski decided she was ready for a new challenge. Her transition plan included going back to school, however, when the acceptance letters started to arrive, her gut was telling her to go in a different direction. Today she is the Manager of Global Intelligence and Threat Analysis for the Walt Disney Company. Her job search was full of mistakes and blunders, but she used informational interviewing, networking and an engaging, open and honest communication style to ultimately land her role at Disney. Sarah discusses how she showcased her military skills in her interview and as an employee, who was promoted during her first year.

For the first four years of her military career, Sarah served as a field artillery officer before moving into the intelligence field. During her service, Sarah noticed the need for better access to quality mental health services. Her interest in pursuing a PhD in the psychology field spurred her toward military separation. During her last deployment with Special Forces, she applied to schools. When the acceptance letters came in, she realized she wasn’t 100% sure this was the right path. She made the decision to defer school and seek out other opportunities in the private sector. Her first stop was LinkedIn.

As an intelligence officer, Sarah used her intelligence skills to gather intel on LinkedIn. However, you don’t have to have a background in intelligence to utilize all the functions of LinkedIn for your job search! She relied heavily on the algorithms already built into the platform during her searches. For example, she searched military intel officer and analyzed the profiles to learn what military intel veterans are doing. If a person continued to work in the intelligence community, she poured over the profile to learn the civilian intelligence language. Her next step was reaching out to individuals for informational interviews. 

During a late-night job search session on LinkedIn, Sarah came across an intelligence analyst role at Disney. At this point, she didn’t have a civilian resume but also knew job postings don’t stay live for long. She pulled together a resume that was far from perfect. Knowing her resume was not going to be enough to capture the hiring manager’s attention, she did a search on LinkedIn for Disney global team members. She cold messaged every single one of them and was pleasantly surprised at the 50% response rate, including one from the hiring manager himself. Through her conversations, she learned the job posting was intended for an internal candidate but that didn’t stop her from asking questions and learning and understanding the company’s needs. Not long after, she received a phone call for an interview.

Sarah highlights the importance of asking questions, listening and learning how to be a solution for an organization’s problems. Through her informational interviews, Sarah formed relationships which overcame her weak resume full of military jargon, acronyms and even a misspelling. 

Sarah discusses how she identified transferable skills and pitched them in her interview. Skills she cultivated in the military such as building teams and understanding systems and processes felt like soft skills when she applied and wrote her resume. After progressing in her career at Disney, she now realizes the value of those skills and mentors others to showcase them on the resume and in the interview.

Please head to the LL4V YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22 to hear a bonus clip on Sarah’s career progression and lessons learned during her first year at Walt Disney Company.

You can connect with Sarah on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahostrowski/

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Husband and wife team Nathan Wallace and Kelsey Wolf-Wallace share the microphone on this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast. After serving 5 years in the US Army as a junior enlisted soldier, Nathan decided to separate in 2019. Not prepared for his separation, he shares his struggles and the resources that helped him get back on track. 

While Kelsey was supporting Nathan through his service, she was pursuing her own education in counseling. Around the same time as Nathan’s separation, Kelsey Wolf-Wallace was searching for opportunities to serve the military community. Leveraging her connections on LinkedIn, she landed an interview with Hire Heroes USA and was offered a position as a transition specialist and career coach. Today, they share their two different sides of the transition story. 

When Nathan decided to separate from the military, he assumed his 5-year military service would be enough to land a job. The two-week TAP classes flew by and felt more like an exercise in checking all the boxes. He drafted a resume, requested his medical documents and even created a LinkedIn profile. However, very little explanation was given to him on how to create an effective resume, network or prepare for an interview. After receiving his DD214, he found himself with 0 income and 0 benefits. 

Kelsey encouraged Nathan to register and take advantage of the free resources through the 100% completely virtual Hire Heroes USA organization. Hire Heroes USA is a non-profit with a mission to empower transitioning service members, spouses and vets in the job search until meaningful employment is secured in the civilian workforce. Clients receive a draft resume as well as coaching on networking, interviewing and leveraging LinkedIn.

The Junior Enlisted Program was recently created to address current data on the junior enlisted servicemember who is separating. The program offers specialized services and addresses specific needs for this population. Junior enlisted servicemembers
🔹 Face financial instability
🔹 Earn lower salaries
🔹 Experience greater underemployment issues
🔹 Possess less formal education
🔹 Face career uncertainty

Many people utilize Hire Heroes USA for their resume writing services. The resume is produced from a template and usually targeted to a specific industry. Kelsey discusses the importance of using the provided resume as a draft – meaning it should be tailored for each job application. It is a stepping-stone and a foundation to build upon. Tailoring a resume includes researching the company and conducting informational interviews.

Nathan used Hire Heroes USA to define his career goals and choose the best education path. He admits he slipped through the cracks while separating from the military. The military failed to provide information on additional available resources. Prior to leaving the military, Nathan had never heard of the SkillBridge program. As unfortunate as this may be, Nathan’s transition isn’t unique in this way. At some point, a separatee or retiree must take ownership of their transition. Part of this means seeking out additional resources.

Please head to the Lessons Learned for Vets YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22 to hear a bonus clip on transition advice from both Kelsey and Nathan.

You can connect with Kelsey on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelseywolfwallace/

You can connect with Nathan on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanwallace22/

Register for services at hireheroesusa.org

If you are junior enlisted, join a special LinkedIn Group at https://lnkd.in/dzmG2gmB

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After serving 10 years as a pilot in the US Navy, Mark Rothschild was ready for something new. Knowing his strong work ethic, his need to connect with people and desire for a career where pay was connected to effort, he decided on a career in tech sales. After completing a training program to gain a base foundation on the tech world and a framework for how to be successful in sales work, he was hired at a vet-friendly company. On this episode, Mark shares his transition story, programs he used to build his skills and insights into why veterans make successful salespeople.

After researching tech training programs, Mark chose Tech Qualled – a program designed for transitioning service members looking to make a career change into sales. Mark experienced challenges and recognized his identity was still tied to his military services during the first few months in his new role. Overcoming his setbacks and reframing his mindset, Mark is now enjoying a lucrative sales career.

The first piece of advice Mark offers to anyone transitioning, regardless of industry, is to ask questions in your new role. In the military, he acknowledged that he often sat in the back and did not ask questions with the goal of blending in. When asking questions realize that people generally want to help but also come prepared when seeking help from a coworker or manager. Do your own research and share your insights. People are more likely to want to build on your own findings than do your work for you. Find a veteran mentor or buddy at your workplace or in your industry that you can bounce ideas and questions. Veterans need to have a safe avenue to ask questions and a productive area to level up on industry knowledge.

The second piece of advice Mark shares is finding a way to build systems in both the transition process and in your new role. Every veteran knows how to mission plan. Why should the transition, job search and first 90 days in a new role be any different?

Mark discusses how to leverage sales programs to gain training. While Mark utilized Tech Qualled when he transitioned, there are many options now including the SkillBridge program. Research all of your options, find a program that partners with the company you want to work for and then start networking. 

Sales often gets a bad rap. Most of us instantly go to a place in our mind of a sleazy used car salesman. However, a career in sales offers the opportunity to be compensated for your efforts and help people and companies solve problems. Mark discusses how he views his role in sales as both a guide and an instructor. He shares how his product or service will address a problem and walk the customer through what a partnership would entail. For people who may be nervous about how to make money while they are building their sales skills, Mark encourages looking for positions that offer a base salary. 

Veterans have several skills that transfer into a career in sales. Those who have worn the uniform learn and adapt quickly and are able to instruct and teach others. Good salespeople teach their customers about their problem, tailor their message to the people they are interacting with and take control of the situation. Any veteran has encountered this methodology in the military. 

Mark is a mentor with Veterati and often talks with mentees about the importance of networking. Please head to the Lessons Learned for Vets YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22 to hear a bonus clip on Mark’s networking recommendations.

You can connect with Mark on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/markjrothschild/

Explore Tech Qualled by clicking here.

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You know me, Lori Norris, as the host of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, but did you know I have been providing education resources to the military community since 2005? I have owned my own resume writing business since 2004 and I've written close to 5,000 resumes. 

There are lots of great resources out there on LinkedIn, networking and job searching, but there are only a few voices talking resumes. On this solo episode, I am here to clear up some resume myths.

Myth #1: The resume is the most important thing to focus on in your transition. Contrary to popular belief, the resume is not the most important thing to think about in your transition. Your first step is to find your FOCUS. 

Myth #2: Your resume is a storage area for everything you’ve ever done. Your resume should not be a storage area for everything you’ve ever done. During the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), you are taught to create a master resume. While I agree that creating a document of all your jobs and achievements is helpful, it should not be called a resume and it should not be shared with anyone.

Instead, think of the resume as a strategic marketing document and YOU are the product. You should be showcasing your unique skills and the value of them to your employer.

Myth #3: The resume is about you. The resume should not be about your needs. It should be targeted toward the employer. They are going to invest time, their reputation, other employees, customers, money and effort into you as an employee. They want to know what your ROI is going to be. How are you going to earn the money they are going to pay you?

Myth #4: Writing one generic resume will appeal to everyone. There is no such thing as an effective generic resume. Appealing to Everyone = Appealing to No One. If you are consistently meeting the majority of job qualifications on job postings and not getting interest, it’s very likely you are not effectively marketing your value and conducting a targeted job search.

Myth #5: The employer wants to hear about your team’s accomplishments. The employer only cares about the part you played in your team’s accomplishments. While acknowledging your role on the team is important, you need to showcase your unique contributions. 

Myth #6: Hiring you is their first priority. While getting a job is your first priority, the reality is many hiring managers are looking for reasons to not hire you. You need to give them reasons to hire you. Focus on your unique value proposition. Companies want to make money or save money. Help the hiring manager understand how you can do that for them.

Myth #7: The employer will translate and understand your military skills. It is NOT the employer’s job to translate your military skills. YOU must adapt to THEM.

Myth #8: The Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is an evil robot waiting to say NO to your resume. The ATS is not an evil robot just waiting to say no to you and your resume. Yes, there is an ATS, and yes you need to write resumes that can easily be read by the ATS. However, the ATS is just the initial screener of the resume. The ATS looks for keyword matches and will rank applicants in order of highest to lowest match, so that a HUMAN can read the resume. 

Please head to the Lessons Learned for Vets YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22 to hear a bonus tip on how to rewrite bullets to make them more impactful.

You can connect with me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorinorris/

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After spending 27 years in the USAF on active duty and in the reserves as an intel officer, Brian Niswander continues using his background in data and analytics as the founder of Military-Transition.org, an organization that uses data analytics and visualizations to assist with the transition process 

For 21 years, Brian worked in both the public and private sector in market research and supply chain management within the consumer goods industry. During this time, he noticed trends among transitioning service members. With a passion for ground truth and a quest to dispel rumors and myths, he created Military-Transition.org. as a resource for the transitioning service member and military spouse.

Brian discusses the 5 key takeaways from 2 decades of working with TSMs, veterans and spouses. 

1) Transitioning will be difficult and challenging because you are transitioning into the unknown. There are ways to reduce the confusion and uncertainty before, during and after the transition process.

2) Education and awareness are critical. Vets tend to make the same mistakes as those who have gone before them. Using data, we can study the past to avoid those mistakes. We can learn how to replicate success.

3) Transition is personal. Although there are many one-size-fits-all solutions offered across various resources, individual plans tend to be most effective. You must take personal responsibility for your transition.

4) Utilize the full range of options and services available to you such as TAP and VSOs.

5) Your past does not define your future both in terms of rank and position. Don’t feel constrained by your job in the military. Start early to get the education you need to be successful in a new role in the civilian workplace. Do not feel entitled in the civilian sector based on your rank in the military. 

Data from Military-Transition.org shows 5 actions that veterans say are important for transition success.

1)  Start early.

2)  Have a transition plan. The process starts with self-reflection. Ask yourself, “What do I want to do? Where does my family want to live?” 

3) Build your network through LinkedIn, informational interviews and organizations like Veterati and ACP.

4) Learn how to translate your hard and soft skills both on your resume and during an interview.

5) Be patient. Your transition will not happen overnight.

Brian has published several FREE books that can be found on Military-Transition.org. The transition guidebooks are 20-24 pages in length and are meant to offer information backed by data. A goal of his organization is to be the first point of contact for a transitioning service member. 

To close out this session, Brian shares a significant analysis of veterans and his discovery of 3 groups of members that transition. No matter what category you fall into, Military-Transition.org has resources to aid in your transition. 

Please head to the Lessons Learned for Vets YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22 to hear more from Brian about the importance of self-reflection before starting your transition. 

You can connect with Brian Niswander on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/bniswander/

You can learn more about Military-Transition.org and access the FREE guidebooks at https://military-transition.org/ebooks.html.

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Connect with me on LinkedIn and check out our website at www.llforvets.com.

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When Lucas Connolly retired after a 20-year career in the US Army as a Field Artillery Officer, he accepted a position at a Fortune 500 company. After reevaluating his career goals and values, Lucas made the decision to rejoin the military community working first as a TAP counselor and then TAP Program Manager at Fort Drum, NY. Today he continues serving the needs of transitioning service members working for RecruitMilitary as their DOD SkillBridge Program Manager.

Lucas quickly realized the Fortune 500 job he accepted not only came with a sizeable paycheck, but also a sizeable work and time commitment. The late nights and early mornings turned into consistent 60–70-hour work weeks with little time for family. 

This week’s podcast focuses on the most common lessons we have learned through the last 80+ episodes of the show with added insights from Lucas.

Start Early. Consider at least 18-24 months out if you are retiring and 12 months out if you are separating. Lucas discusses the importance of establishing a goal and then working backward. When a service member joins the military, they should always be asking themselves what they are doing to set themselves up for success after the military. As your end date draws near, it is crucial to communicate to leadership your transition needs. There are times you will need to say “I can’t” or “I won’t” in order to focus on your transition. Take the time you need to execute your plan.

Write your resume only after you have a focus.
Sending out a stock resume to 100 employers is a recipe for failure. Instead, Lucas encourages a person to focus on 3-4 companies they want to work for and then find 5-10 jobs within these companies. Target and tailor your resume for each job after researching the company and networking with current employees. Generic resumes that try to appeal to everyone appeal to no one.

Build your network BEFORE you need it.
There are many ways to build your network, but LinkedIn is the best for online networking. Start building your network long before you transition. Consider a spider starting its web. It starts small, in the center, and then gradually spins its web out. First, connect with people you already know such as family, friends, work colleagues, those who are willing to write you a recommendation, TAP counselors and job fair connections.  

Get on LinkedIn NOW.
LinkedIn is a professional network that allows people to search you and learn about your skills. Include keywords in your profile and be strategic with your connection requests. Think about LinkedIn as a tool in your toolkit. Just like a hammer isn’t useful unless it’s picked up and used, LinkedIn is only as useful as the content you provide and the network you build.

Transition is more than finding a job.
Transition isn’t just accepting a job and checking the transition box. It’s all encompassing. You are going from one life to another, one culture to another. And it’s not just about you - your family is also transitioning with you. 

Please head to the Lessons Learned for Vets brand new YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22 to hear Lucas give a BONUS piece of advice to those transitioning. 

You can connect with Lucas Connolly on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucas-connolly/

You can learn more about RecruitMilitary by clicking here.

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After serving 20 years in the United States Marine Corps conducting cybersecurity operations, Jason Shockey has successfully held 3 different chief information security officer roles in the private sector. While his transition may sound “easy”, a lot of hard work, careful planning and deliberate action has placed him at the top of the cyber industry. His methodical approach to his own transition and his desire to help others led him to create My Cyber Path, a resource designed to help students, veterans and HR departments successfully navigate a career in cybersecurity. Jason’s advice on mastering your mindset is relevant to anyone, regardless of career field. 

About halfway into his military career, Jason began to focus on what he wanted for a career in the civilian sector once he retired. After researching job titles, he began to craft his own education pathway to prepare him for the qualifications he knew he needed. While he pursued his education, he was deliberate to apply the concepts he was learning to his duties in the military. 

Jason believes luck is when preparation meets opportunity. Find a way to apply what you are learning for the future to your day job. By assimilating new knowledge and practicing repetition, real learning and practical application occurs. This is applicable to anyone, whether they plan to continue their military role in the private sector or plan to enter a new career field. 

Jason discusses how his fear of not finding employment after the military motivated him to seek ways to stay positive and confident. First, you must believe in yourself. Figure out where you want to go and then work backward to craft a plan on how to get there.  For 8 years, Jason listened to motivational speakers and practiced visualization to keep his mind in the right place. 

Reflecting on his roles in the military versus civilian sector, Jason believes the main difference is the way he interacts with people. In the military, rank dictates what a person knows, where they’ve been and how they are going to respond to you. That’s not the case in the civilian world. It’s important to be attuned to the people around you and know how you fit into the organization. You should be doing everything in your control to better yourself and the company. Although it may sound harsh, if you are not contributing to the organization and its mission, you are easily replaced. 

For those considering a career in cyber, My Cyber Path matches interests and personality traits with cyber work roles and shows the pathway to get to that role through certifications, experience, training and education. It’s also a tool for the cyber professional who is ready to progress and grow into a more complex role. Jason has generously offered to give 10 people a complimentary lifetime access to My Cyber Path on the day this podcast is released. Please visit the Lessons Learned for Vets Podcast page on LinkedIn to learn how to take advantage of this offer!

Jason attributes his continued success and consistent growth in the cyber industry to his focus on personal excellence and the outcomes and outputs he produces for his employers. He also focuses on details and establishing small habits to increase his productivity. Jason discusses how what you eat, watch and listen to can all influence your success. Choose what you consume both in mind and body. 

Please head to the Lessons Learned for Vets brand new YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22 to hear Jason's bonus question that will leave you motivated.

You can connect with Jason on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-shockey/

Learn more about My Cyber Path by visiting https://www.mycyberpath.com/.

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Julie Sanders served 4 years in the US Army as an Arabic Linguist and Intelligence Analyst. With a high-level security clearance, impressive military job and veteran status, she assumed the companies she would get hired right away. However, the only place she found that valued her skills was as a contract employee with the FBI. When she decided that was not the career route she wanted, she took a job in retail and started pursuing her education.

Although her transition was many years ago, her story is not unlike so many transitioning today. Going to school full-time and working full-time presented many obstacles, but she persevered knowing a college degree would open more doors for her. While she was confident in her writing, her math skills were lacking. A decade out of high school, she knew she needed extra help. After joining a study group, Julie not only passed but did well in her math courses. Her response to service members who are nervous to get back into the classroom is to jump in with both feet and go for it!

Earning both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree, she successfully climbed the corporate ladder in B2B sales. Julie now works for Veterans Upward Bound where she advocates for veterans who want to pursue postsecondary education. 

Veterans Upward Bound is designed to motivate and assist veterans in developing academic and other skills necessary for acceptance and success in postsecondary education. The program provides assessment and enhancement of basic skills through counseling, mentoring, tutoring and academic instruction in the core subject areas. The program provides short-term remedial or refresher courses for veterans who are high school graduates but have delayed pursuing postsecondary education. 

While a degree will help to open doors of opportunity, learning how to translate your military experience to a future employer is equally important. Julie discusses the need to talk about your military experience in civilian terms. You cannot expect your audience to understand military lingo and what it implies. The responsibility that the message is received and understood is the responsibility of the sender. 

Julie also discusses her role with Bold Vets, a networking group for veterans. Bold Vets hosts free, monthly virtual networking events for active duty military and veterans to expand their referral networks. These events are a safe environment for service members to practice networking and learn to leverage their best selves. In addition, vets receive coaching. 

To wrap up, Julie gives 4 pieces of advice for anyone transitioning out of the service. 

- Network. Start now and never stop.

- Don't assume that back home is the only place you can go when you get out.

Please head to the Lessons Learned for Vets YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22 to hear Julie finish discussing her advice for anyone transitioning.

You can connect with Julie Sanders on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-sanders-mba-148b1913/

Learn more about how Veterans Upward Bound can help you reach your education goals by visiting https://www.navub.org/

Register for the next round of speed networking with Bold Vets at https://boldnetworking.com/events/us-bold-vets-speed-networking/

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