TAP In With Tako: Military Transitions

By Takato Watanabe

Not sure what to do after your life in the military? Transitioning and leaving the military can be a stressful time trying to navigate the different options available to you. My goal is to bridge the ... more

5

44 ratings

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about TAP In With Tako: Military Transitions:

How many episodes does TAP In With Tako: Military Transitions have?

The podcast currently has 36 episodes available.

TAP In With Tako: Military Transitions episodes:

May 03, 2023Hop On and Hold On!
Today is my first episode where I bring on two guests! Matthew and Shanon are both military veterans and entrepreneurs and have a ton of knowledge to share. We talk about ways to tap into your creative side, tips on setting yourself up when applying to a Skillbridge, and of course, we talk about their platform: Hop on and hold on. There’s a ton of good career advice in this episode, but we also tap into some deeper topics like how your identity is not defined by what you did in uniform.
If you’re interested in learning how to overcome challenges during your entrepreneurial journey, or you’re looking to reinvent yourself after getting out of the military, this episode is for you.
Topics we discussed:
What is Hop On and Hold On?
Overcoming challenges during the entrepreneurial journey
How a values exercise can benefit you
Tips on submitting a successful Skillbridge request
Watching out for red flags when looking for Skillbridge opportunities
How to reach and communicate with your audience
“Your identity is not defined by what you did in uniform”

Checkout Hop On and Hold On: https://www.hoponandholdon.com/blog
[email protected]
Connect with Takato and share your feedback:

Website

Youtube

Instagram

LinkedIn

Episode Music, Episode Artwork
...more
50min
April 19, 2023Leverage LinkedIn to Grow Your Network and Find Opportunities
Today I bring on Alexiss, who works in HR but is a multi-talented veteran, parent, and content creator. Alexiss shares her insights into how to find a skillbridge opportunity in a non-traditional route, how to leverage LinkedIn during your job hunt, how to choose between multiple job opportunities, the importance of maintaining your physical health and so much more.

If you’re interested in learning how to build an audience on LinkedIn, how to grow your analytics skills, or learn more about how to combine multiple skill sets into your role this episode is for you. Hope you enjoy it!

Topics we covered:
Ways to make skillbridge work for you
How to take advantage your activity on LinkedIn
How to find your niche community on LinkedIn
Free certifications to take advantage during your military transition
Day-to-day at a startup working in HR
How to choose which company when receiving multiple job offers
What parenting can teach you in a professional setting
The importance of physical health when it comes to work

Connect with Alexiss on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexiss-tallant/

Connect with Takato and share your feedback:

Website

Youtube

Instagram

LinkedIn

Episode Music, Episode Artwork
...more
35min
April 05, 2023Navigating Four PCS Moves in Four Years as a Data Analytics Leader
Today I bring on Danae, a leader in data analytics and a military spouse. We talk about why she chose data analytics, the importance of a brag sheet, and regaining your sense of community after a PCS.
If you're interested in Data Analytics or want to know how to navigate your career during a PCS move this episode is for you. Hope you enjoy it!
Topics we covered:
Career conversations for a successful PCS
Tips on building your brag sheet
Joining communities
Regaining your sense of community during a PCS
Data Angels, Locally Optimistic

Connect with Danae on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danaewhitten/
Connect with Takato and share your feedback:

Website

Youtube

Instagram

LinkedIn

Episode Music, Episode Artwork
...more
38min
March 22, 2023Ep33: Breaking into Product Management
Today I bring on Nicu, a Senior Platform Product Manager. I often hear the question: “how do I get into Product Management?” If you have the same question, Nicu talks about his journey from an E-4 in the Army to his current role as a Senior Product Manager. We also talk about the 5 paths to product, how to acquire the necessary skills to break into Product Management, how his Filipino culture has helped him in his career, and so much more.
If you’re interested in Product Management after the military or just want to enjoy some laughs about karaoke this episode is for you. There are a bunch of insights that Nicu shares that apply to all Product Managers even outside of the military. Hope you enjoy it!
Topics we covered:
Technical skills needed to be a Platform Product Manager
The 5 Paths to Product
Free resources to get into tech
How to figure out what role to pursue after the military
How his Filipino background has helped him in his career
Technical skills needed for Product Management

Nicu's Website with Free Veteran's Resources for Tech: https://www.nicuparente.com/tech-transition-resources/

5 Paths to product: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nicuparente_productmanager-productmanagement-activity-7033419996802277376-6Yta?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

LinkedIn: https://twitter.com/nicuparente
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nicuparente
Connect with Takato and share your feedback:

Website

Youtube

Instagram

LinkedIn

Episode Music, Episode Artwork
...more
41min
March 07, 2023Ep 32: Transitioning from the Military to Your First Civilian Job: Strategies for Building Trust, Asking for Help, and Achieving Success in Any Role
Today, we're excited to welcome back one of our most popular guests who is returning to discuss some new and important topics. As many of our listeners know, transitioning from military to civilian life can be a challenging experience. It requires adapting to a new culture, establishing new relationships, and learning new skills. In the last episode, we talked about entry-level roles to get into tech, why to always be interviewing, and healthy ways to address imposter syndrome. Today, we're going to explore some new and important topics such as building trust, asking for help, and achieving success in any role. We're thrilled to have Alex back and excited to dive into these new topics that will help you navigate your transition to your civilian career.

Reach out to Alex on LinkedIn

Check out LifeAt!
Connect with Takato and share your feedback:

Website

Youtube

Instagram

LinkedIn

Episode Music, Episode Artwork
...more
40min
February 22, 2023Ep 31: How Military Recruiting Experience Led to a Career in Data Analytics
Today I bring on Abe, a passionate data analyst who has combined his analytic skills with his favorite martial art: jiu-jitsu. We talk about the lessons he learned while being a military recruiter, how he learned his data skills, and how he leverages LinkedIn to reach potential clients and employers.
If you’re interested in being a data analyst after the military or just want to hear a really cool story of how analytical you can get with jiujitsu, this episode is for you.
Topics we cover:
How to translate your skills from being a military recruiter to the civilian world
Why listening is so important
How he got into data analytics
Pivoting and shifting if a role doesn't fit
What you a day in the life of a data analyst looks like
How personal projects can intertwine with your career
The importance of posting on LinkedIn

Get in contact with Abe on LinkedIn
Instagram: @__abruhham__

Check out SubStats!
Instagram: @substats

Connect with Takato and share your feedback:

Website

Youtube

Instagram

LinkedIn

Episode Music, Episode Artwork
...more
29min
February 07, 2023Ep 30: All The War They Want
Today I bring on Jeff, who is a decorated Army Special Operations veteran, a business owner, and now an author. We talk about his formula to overcome obstacles during the military transition, his book, how jiujitsu and the military intertwine, and so much more.

Check out the video version of the episode on YouTube!
If you’re an aspiring business owner and want a glimpse into the mind of a veteran business owner, this episode is for you.

Topics we cover:
Building a business using your military experiences
How to overcome challenges during the military transition
The hardest part about Jeff's transition out of the military
Jeff's personal formula for managing focus and emotions
Ways to pivot from one role to another and find your passion
Finding the right people for your business and teams
Breaking the rule: Leaders eat last
Why personalities differences matter
Your military history is a part of your identity vs as your identity
Jiujitsu is the world's best personality test
Being a hobbyist vs a professional

Check out the book All The War They Want

Get in contact with Jeff on LinkedIn
Follow Jeff on Twitter
Conquest Cyber
Connect with Takato and share your feedback:

Website

Youtube

Instagram

LinkedIn

Episode Music, Episode Artwork
...more
45min
December 06, 2022Ep 29: Pivoting From Security Forces to Tech
Today I bring on Shaymon who served in the Airforce and is now a Salesforce Solution Consultant. He is a 6-time salesforce certified, 3-time trailhead ranger! On today’s episode, we talk about how to learn from failure, what resources are available to learn Salesforce and what the day-to-day might look like working as a solution consultant.
If you’re interested in learning more about salesforce or are about all the knowledge Shaymon has learned over the last couple of years, this episode is for you.
Reach out to Shaymon on LinkedIn

Links to what we talked about today:
Salesforce Military
Focus On Force
Tech Forward (HBCUforce)
VET TEC
VR&E
Syracuse - Onward To Opportunity
Connect with Takato and share your feedback:

Website

Youtube

Instagram

LinkedIn

Episode Music, Episode Artwork
...more
27min
November 22, 2022Ep 28: From Help Desk to Site Reliability Engineer
Today I bring on Alex who served in the Air Force and now is a Site Reliability Engineering Senior Manager. Alex found an entry-level role after the military and has gained a ton of knowledge in his journey to a Senior manager.

In today’s episode, we talk about a bunch of different things:
What is SRE (Site Reliability Engineering)?
Healthy ways to address imposter syndrome
Great entry-level roles after the military
How to find ideal roles in your career
Ways to find mentorship
Should you pick working a FAANG vs other companies?
Why you should always be interviewing

Technologies Alex mentioned:
Free BSD, PERL, MySQL, Apache, PHP, AWS

Check out Alex's woodworking art at mapsandboxes.com

Connect with Takato and share your feedback:

Website

Youtube

Instagram

LinkedIn

Episode Music, Episode Artwork
...more
42min
November 11, 2022Ep 27: On Mission Part 2
In today's episode, John and Sean go into the weeds of how to be a good leader, how to grow trust with your team, and how you can succeed even in situations with bad leaders. We’ll also take a deeper dive to learn more about the book On Mission and who it’s for, and dig into some of the content.

Check out On Mission at OnMissionBook.com and OnMissionLeaders.com

Connect with Takato and share your feedback:

Website

Youtube

Instagram

LinkedIn

Episode Music, Episode Artwork
...more
29min

FAQs about TAP In With Tako: Military Transitions:

How many episodes does TAP In With Tako: Military Transitions have?

The podcast currently has 36 episodes available.