The New R&R - Resilience and Renewal: Celebrating Veteran Career Transformations

Dr. Joseph D. Mulla ’s journey from a low-income neighborhood in South Chicago to a successful civilian career with Truist as a Senior Vice President is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of networking. In this week's Q&A, Dr. Mulla shares his experiences, from enlisting in the United States Marine Corps to overcoming the challenges of transitioning into civilian life. His story highlights the importance of mentorship, the value of transferable skills, and the critical role networking plays in a veteran’s post-military career. Whether you’re a veteran navigating your own transition or someone looking to understand the veteran experience better, Dr. Mulla’s insights offer valuable lessons on perseverance, adaptability, and the pursuit of personal growth.

1. Why did you join the military? I grew up in a low income area south of Chicago, and made a lot of bad choices during high school.? During my senior year, something clicked that I can do better, and deserve better, so I made the decision to visit the recruiter and leave the area for good.? I knew I needed a good kick in the rear, so I didn’t consider any service except the Marine Corps.
2. What did you do in the military? I started as a 6413, Navigational Avionics, but upon being promoted to SSgt (E6), my MOS changed to 6414, Advanced Aircraft Comm/Nav Systems Tech.? During my nine years on active duty, I was a technician, quality assurance inspector, work center supervisor, C-School instructor, and a Master Training Specialist.
3. What were some of the bases you worked on? MCRD San Diego / Camp Pendleton / NAS Pensacola / MCAS Cherry Point / MCAS Beaufort / MCAS Iwakuni, Japan
4. Deployments/activations? I deployed on the USS Bataan in 2003 supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Southern Watch with Task Force Tarawa.? I also went to Iwakuni, Japan as part of my unit’s UDP (Unit Deployment Program) in 2009.
5. What led to your decision to leave the military? Unfortunately, it wasn’t my decision at all.? I returned from Japan in mid-2009 and was submitted for a medical board.? The results came in mid-December, and I was on terminal leave as of January 20, 2010.
6. How did you translate your military skills and experience for civilian job applications, and how did you address any potential employer concerns about your military background? ? My transition was somewhat difficult, as it was sudden, but I also didn’t really want to work in the same field (aviation electronics) as I did in the Marine Corps.? I was nearly finished with my undergraduate degree upon getting out, so I finished it via the Post 9/11 GI Bill, and networked as much as possible while attending job fairs nearby.? I was able to utilize my nearly completed degree and background as an instructor to land a role with a large credit union on base working with recruit finances.? Thankfully, much of the leadership and staff at the credit union were military or military-affiliated, so that made it a bit easier, though overall, translating what I did to what I want to do was hard, so I focused more on the soft skills and transferable skills vs. the hard skills that were completely unrelated.
7. What strategies and resources were most effective in your job search, including any veteran-specific services or programs you utilized? ? When I got out of the Marine Corps, I was in Beaufort, SC, and didn’t have plans to leave right away.? During my transition, I attended SEPS and TAPS, and made sure to take advantage of the transition office after I was officially a civilian again.? I was able to attend an on-base job fair which led to my first real job post-military, and I also used LinkedIn and old-fashioned networking to meet people and learn of opportunities.
8. How important was networking in your job search, and how did networking and mentorship influence your journey? ? It was probably the most important part of my job search, outside of being qualified to do the job.? I’ve been out for over 14.5 years now, and every meaningful role I’ve had has been due to networking and connecting with people who were willing to help me out, and give me a “hand up” when I needed it.
9. Considering the role of mentorship, how did you find a mentor, and what impact did they have on your transition? I put mentorship into formal, and informal categories.? Some companies, groups, etc. have formal programs where you’re matched up with someone, usually senior to you, to have a formal meeting cadence with predetermined topics and assignments.? Informal mentorships are more natural to me, in that you meet people and when you feel there’s a “click” there, you build upon that relationship and continue meeting.? I’ve had a few formal mentors over the years, but in my mind, I’ve had dozens of informal mentors…some of them don’t even know that they were acting in a mentor capacity, but they were.? The mentors I’ve had throughout my post-military journey have been invaluable.? I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.
10. Do you mentor veterans now? Yes!? I take every opportunity I can to work with Veterans or transitioning soon-to-be Veterans to help them with their transition.? I receive so many LinkedIn connection requests from fellow Veterans that I don’t know.? They’re usually followed-up with a private message asking questions about banking, my career journey, or another topic relevant to getting ahead and needing help.? It’s a true honor to help a Veteran in need.
11. What were the biggest challenges you faced during your transition to civilian employment? ? My transition was sudden, as I was medically discharged and had about 5 weeks between being told I’m getting out, and starting terminal leave.? That alone was the most challenging part.? Outside of that, the normal things like finding your new identity and where you fit in to society, the right career path, appropriate education, etc.? You’re essentially starting over fresh post-military, so really paying attention during your transitional courses and doing your own research is critical to success.? I was also moving from aviation electronics into the business/finance world, so I had to figure out the right entry point into that world based upon my background and experience which limited my options.
12. Reflecting on your transition, what is one thing you wish you had known or done differently? ? I’m very happy and satisfied with where I am in life today.? I’d like to think that all of the choices I made, and challenges I had to endure, helped to get me here.? Having said that, things could’ve been easier if I knew then, what I know now.? I would’ve networked more for sure.? Unfortunately, networking isn’t really a thing in the military.? Chain of command doesn’t take too kindly with going outside of it, resulting in a lot of newly transitioned Veterans who don’t know how to network.? I had to learn it along the way which may have slowed down my career progression the first few years post-military.
13. Since leaving the service, how many jobs have you had, and what influenced your decision to choose your current employer? ? If I count them all, I believe it would be 12, though one was temporary (2010 Census), and a few were sort of lateral movements within the same department of a company.? My current employer is phenomenal.? I was accepted into a senior leadership program designed to help expedite upward movement for diverse leaders.? I was placed into an area that gave me a lot of experience into the innerworkings of the company while I patiently awaited an opening on a particular team, which I ended up getting in May 2023.? Today, I get to live out my personal purpose each day, which is to inspire people to become the best possible version of themselves while helping others do the same.? The company’s culture, benefits, PMV, and people excite me and help me achieve and grow.
14. What advice would you give transitioning service members, veterans, and their families as they consider new employment opportunities? ? Network, network, and when you’re done, network.? If you’re moving into a new field, or you’re considering a new company, connect with people who do the job now, or work there today, and learn all you can from them.? What the job is like, their day-to-day, what they don’t like, what they would’ve done differently, the best and worst parts of working at their company, and so on.? People generally like to share this information, so ask away!? Also, don’t be afraid to challenge yourself and take advantage of opportunities that scare you a bit.? Your dreams and aspirations should excite you and give you butterflies in your stomach—if they don’t, you’re not dreaming big enough!? And lastly, connect with local Veteran organizations like Veterans Bridge Home and VOWS .? Most Veterans miss the esprit de corps they once had in the military—organizations like these can help replace that, and are a great source of inspiration, mentorship, and friendship.

Dr. Mulla’s journey exemplifies how a combination of self-reflection, continuous learning, and community engagement can lead to both personal and professional fulfillment after military service. His story underscores the importance of embracing new opportunities, seeking out mentorship, and building a robust network to navigate the complexities of civilian employment. As Dr. Mulla demonstrates, the transition from military to civilian life is not just about finding a job; it’s about finding a purpose that aligns with your values and aspirations. His advice to “network, challenge yourself, and dream big” serves as a powerful reminder that with the right mindset and support, veterans can achieve great success in their post-military careers.