Military Members Need More Consistent Career Transition Support
In the past eight or so years, I have probably worked with several hundred student military members and veterans on an array of career management actions. One commonality that each of them has demonstrated is their recognition that they often need to translate the skills from their MOS (military occupational specialty) into civilian terms, even if they are building a resume to submit to a government agency through USA Jobs. Understandably, some in the civilian world have a hard time wrapping their transferrable skills filters around things like tactical and strategic weapons, breaking things, blowing things up, ammunition, side arms, and rooting out enemy combatants – at least in those specific terms. Even when we look at MOSs that are not direct combat or infantry roles such as logistics and signal corp, neither can simply be expressed in traditional military fashion, using the classic potpourri of acronyms, and military lexicon. Of course, I am not saying anything new to my college career coach friends, and colleagues; they already know this and have worked through this challenge multiple times.
It is the inconsistency in transition services that concerns me.
Yes, it is the inconsistency that concerns me. I get to go to work every day, express myself openly, vote for whomever I want, drive my career in the direction of my choice because of the freedoms that our military members and veterans have selflessly protected. They deserve the best! So why the inconsistency? Why is it that some military members seem to get great career management and resume advice from transition personnel and others get less-than-adequate advice? One veteran will walk into my office with a resume that has been thoughtfully crafted with a transition support specialist, upon their discharge or retirement and then the next. . .well, I look at some of these documents and have to ask “Where is the dedication to this individual? Where is the industry-steeped research and advice?”
As I review some resumes post-transition, I can only assume that someone was having a bad day, or simply had no idea what they were doing: resumes not in reverse chronological order, with spelling errors, with both font and structural inconsistencies, hastily-crafted, improperly expressed bullet points, use of templates, lines and graphics that have the potential of confusing some applicant tracking systems, information added in the wrong section of the document. Some of my students tell me that beyond their employment documents, they were told very little about the broad realm of career management, and the level of networking that is critical to job search success. What is going on here?
Military students and veterans at our university have the chance to come in and work as many times as they’d like with our career coaches, but what about the folks who leave the military and do not have access to professional career educators? This needs to be fixed, U.S. military. Who is going to do it? Let’s get on this. There needs to be 100% consistency among every, single person who supports transition to the civilian world. Someone needs to lay down the law. Again, I acknowledge those in military transition services who are - in fact - doing a great job. I have seen the products of your work as well.
No matter which base or service center a military member passes through as they retire or are discharged, they should be provided the best, most consistent, labor-market-informed, research-steeped advice possible. It’s what they deserve, and I don’t want to hear “You don’t understand. Some veterans are just not interested in spending time with us, or putting in the effort.” Our university engages nearly 100% of our 9000 students before they graduate. Do you think they all want to come in and work with us voluntarily? Of course not. Yet once they do, they all come back. In the end, they know how to manage their careers. This inconsistency is unacceptable. Let’s get this fixed, top brass. Let’s get this fixed, immediately.
It’s their future. Take charge!
On behalf of my colleagues, we are grateful to you, our friends and relatives who are military affiliated.
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5 年It's not an easy process, but there are resources out there. A lot of higher enlisted fail to follow-up and help their service men and women when transitioning out. There are people who are unwilling to help because they have negative feelings about service members leaving and not doing the full 20, which is another can of worms. As a Soldier in the national guard, I experience difficulties when applying for jobs. A lot of employers feel that my committment to the Army and state is an inconvenience to them. They are legally bound to find someone to cover my shifts when I have drill, schools, or annual training. Though they won't say it due to discrimination laws, it is real and unfortunate.
Associate Director | Certified Master of Career Services | Facilitating Career Development Instructor
5 年This REALLY resonates with me right now. My partner just transitioned out of active duty Navy after serving for 5 years. I'm grateful I understand career services because he had next to no support, even with their out processing and transition programs, and it has been a difficult journey. Thank you for posting.