Money or Passion: My dilemma after Army retirement
Many people can go from one job to another, and everything is fine, but not me. I have to be involved with something with a mission in which profits are not part of the equation. A new family that is together because they want to be together and passion is the only motivation rather than a paycheck, and personal sacrifice counts.
?It is not a secret that the Army to civilian transition is more complex than anything one can hear near and after retirement. One must be in the place to understand the uncomfortable feeling of uncertainty despite how many blocks you check. It took a while to realize that I was no longer part of a unique family I knew well. The brotherhood and the caring for others are what I miss the most. Like any other family, there were conflicts. Still, as a good family, we "always" found a way to understand and achieve a collective and satisfactory accomplishment. Although we all were unique individuals, we all followed the same rules and took, held, and gave whenever possible.?
?I tried! A job with an excellent paycheck, retirement plan, cash and stock bonuses, and promotion to come within a short-term reach seems like a dream, but it could have been more fun for me. I must be honest; seeing my bank account every payday gave me satisfaction like any other person, but it did not last a whole day. I knew something was missing. I was not happy waking up every morning, getting to a place I did not want to be, and motivating a sea of people to achieve unrealistic goals for the sake of it is not who I am, not even for money. Many people value this position. So, I got out of the way, trained, and gave the next person an excellent chance to succeed.
An overwhelming media wave tells veterans they walk on water, but the reality is not exactly how it is portrayed. Years of military doctrine put veterans at a disadvantage with civilian counterparts because the military is structured, regulated, and, most of all, value-centered, which brings the best men and women can offer. There are plenty of jobs for veterans in the private sector because they want disciplined and responsible employees. The motivation is also financially savvy as there is a profitable market involving sponsoring veterans. Many companies benefit from tax deductions for employing veterans for specific hours. Unfortunately, this business incentive, although noble, can also make recruiters overlook the value of hiring veterans who feel dissatisfied with their job later on.
领英推荐
Earning a degree while on active duty provides an edge when combined with military experience and values. However, it only sometimes translates to actual results of landing the right job. Veterans' knowledge and abilities look like the perfect candidate for employers when in reality, veterans have to compete sometimes harder than their civilian counterparts since the civilian market is a new turf for veterans. Many job descriptions need to be more accurate in attracting a veteran-candidate pool. Most veterans have to learn the scripts and rehearsal what and how things should be said during an interview instead of having a candid discussion about qualifications. I sometimes thought that I was preparing to act as supposed to be myself and even doubted I was auditioning for my education, experiences, and skills.
I spent much time deciding what I wanted to do for the rest of my professional life. Do I go for the high-paying job or something that brings me personal satisfaction, and yes, the job I do not consider working? The calling, my passion. I said, "I want to teach," when the HR head asked me, "what are you going to do," when discussing my exit strategy. I always enjoyed learning and sharing it selflessly, but the money factor kept me desiring the other way; Money or satisfaction? So, I stopped resisting and started my research to fulfill the requirements, and I passed-first try my high school subject test. Then I got in touch with my regional Troops to Teachers representative. Along the way, I discovered the Jacksonville Teacher Residency (JTR) in Jacksonville, FL, which allows candidates to be mentored in the classroom for a year while earning a Master of Arts in Teaching with a focus on your subject area.
I recently was invited by the JTR leadership of the University of North Florida to visit a former JTR Resident who happens to be a Retired Army Sergeant First Class. His encouraging students to have intelligent conversations about complex societal issues impressed me. I was happy to see a veteran leading young Americans into their future. I said, "Yes, this is what I want." Public education is a value-based community like the Army. What is better than helping the next generation gain the knowledge to become exemplary citizens? There is a mission, and my passion for teaching counts more than anything else.