Vector Accelerator

Why Your First Post-Military Job Might Not Be the Right Fit—And What to Do Next With Scott Harvey

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🎙 Hosts: Joe Lara & Michael Halterman
🎙 Guest: Scott Harvey, Navy Veteran & Leadership Consultant

Episode Overview:

In this insightful fireside chat, Joe Lara and Michael Halterman sit down with Scott Harvey, a Navy veteran who spent 21 years in service before transitioning to the civilian workforce. Scott shares his transition story, the challenges he faced, and the lessons he learned along the way. He dives deep into the struggle of finding purpose and fulfillment beyond just landing a job, and how programs like Vector Accelerator help veterans navigate this complex process.

Key Topics Covered:
1. Scott’s Military Background & Why He Served
  • 21-year career in the Navy as a helicopter pilot
  • Inspired by service, media influences (Top Gun era!), and a sense of duty
  • The power of military community and why it kept him in for two decades
    • 2. Making the Decision to Transition
    • Why 2018 was the right time to leave
    • Weighing career vs. stability in San Diego
    • The mental shift from military certainty to civilian unknowns
      • 3. The First Steps in Transition
      • Treating the process like a checklist (job search, resume writing, networking)
      • Learning about VSOs (Veteran Service Organizations) and leveraging their resources
      • Using LinkedIn to connect with other veterans and land a job
        • 4. The Challenges of Finding the Right Career
        • Scott’s first civilian job in operations and logistics
        • The struggle of fast-paced corporate life vs. military structure
        • Why simply matching military skills to a job title isn’t enough
          • 5. The Missing Piece: Purpose & Fulfillment
          • Realizing the need for more than just a paycheck
          • The emotional toll of feeling disconnected at work
          • Learning that it’s okay to pivot and leave a job that doesn’t align with your values
            • 6. Discovering Vector Accelerator & the Power of Self-Reflection
            • Finding Vector Accelerator through LinkedIn
            • Why most veterans skip the self-reflection process—and why they shouldn’t
            • How values assessment helped Scott gain clarity on his next move
              • 7. The Power of Community: Don’t Transition Alone
              • How the Azimuth Chat helped Scott stay accountable
              • The importance of connecting with other veterans facing the same transition challenges
              • Tips for building a strong support network post-military
                • 8. Finding His New Path: Coaching, Leadership, & PhD Studies
                • Transitioning into leadership coaching and consulting
                • Pursuing a PhD in Leadership Development at the University of San Diego
                • Balancing a career with continued personal growth
                  • 9. Practical Advice for Veterans in Transition
                  • Take the Time for Self-Reflection: Know what you truly want, not just what your resume says you can do.
                  • Don’t Transition Alone: Connect with mentors, fellow veterans, and professional networks.
                  • Ask the Right Questions in Interviews: Beyond salary and benefits—does this company align with your values?
                  • It's Okay to Pivot: You don’t have to stay in your first job forever.
                  • Leverage Resources: Use VSOs, LinkedIn, and programs like Vector Accelerator to guide you.
                    • Key Quotes:

                    💬 "You don't have to stay in that first job for as long as I did—there's no four-year contract in the civilian world." — Scott Harvey

                    💬 "Most of us join the military at 18 or 19 and spend 20 years following orders. Now you have complete freedom, and that can be overwhelming." — Scott Harvey

                    💬 "Self-reflection is hard. But if you don’t take the time to understand yourself, you might end up in a job that looks good on paper but feels completely wrong." — Joe Lara

                    💬 "Don’t transition alone. The best thing you can do is connect with others who are going through the same thing or have already been there." — Michael Halterman

                    Resources & Next Steps:

                    ✔ Take the Transition Readiness Quiz: VectorAccelerator.org
                    ✔ Join Our Weekly Azimuth Chat (Live Sessions for Veterans): Details on VectorAccelerator.org
                    ✔ Follow Scott Harvey on LinkedIn
                    ✔ Connect with Hosts Joe Lara & Michael Halterman on LinkedIn

                    🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Don’t miss future episodes! Follow us for more fireside chats and expert insights into veteran transition and career success.

                    📢 Share this Episode! Know a veteran who’s transitioning? Share this conversation with them—it could change their future.

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