Veteran Transition Spotlight: Tyler Bechard

Tyler Bechard is a dignified, Maine native that joined the U.S. Coast Guard at 18 years of age, and served as a Search and Rescue Team Leader for four years. When I met Tyler during our 10 week internship, I learned that we both had similar goals of being successful in the financial industry. I also learned that our focal points in the industry were different. Like many young professionals each year, Tyler had his sights set on being a Wall Street investment banking analyst. I saw first hand the amount of dedication, focus, and passion he put into earning a coveted slot for a summer investment banking analyst position. There were multiple times after work that I noticed him intensely reading his note cards and committing a thick stack of information to memory. As the date for his first interview came closer, I even grabbed the cards to ask him questions myself before he recalled the paragraphs of information back to me as if he were reading it word for word. I could see that he was ready for his upcoming challenge, and I’m positive that I wasn't alone. With a high adaptive capacity, Tyler performed his duties as an internal audit intern during this past summer with fervor, and earned a position during the school year working part time with his team. Tyler stated that he always looks to follow the advice he received from one of his former commanding officers, that is to always put yourself into opportunities that stretch, strengthen and situate you. Surely, such a mentality will produce many benefits and success in life. 

The conversations that Tyler and I have consist of the specifics of our future plans, some concrete, and some malleable, as life has taught us to own a set of various expectations instead of just one or two. Tyler notes that he takes great pride in his dedication to preparation with the understanding that it is near impossible for everything in life to work exactly as planned. “What is possible however, is to prepare yourself to be able to react and adapt to whatever situation presents itself,” said Bechard. One of Tyler’s plans for the future consists of finishing college at the illustrious, Columbia University. Before graduating, he will participate in an investment banking analyst internship that is slated to begin in the summer of 2018. As he awaits a multitude of professional experiences, Tyler plans to enjoy his breaks from work and school skiing, reading books on his list, and enjoying his new hobby of surfing.

Tyler’s story is surely one to admire, especially since much of it is still left to be told. As one of the 200,000 veterans that separate from the military each year, Tyler’s transition serves as a testament to the fact that it is possible to reach the promise land of Wall Street following a successful military career. Unfortunately though, for a multitude of reasons roughly one million veterans struggle to find employment after faithfully serving their country. Thankfully, companies like Guggenheim Partners, Bank of America, J.P. Morgan, Hilton, and others have professional development and pipeline initiatives specifically designed to promote the talent and value of veterans in the workplace. It is my hope that more companies and managers continue to support veterans like Tyler Bechard, especially during their transition period. 

Source:

Department of Labor, License and Regulation, Maryland, 2011, https://www.dllr.state.md.us/mil2fedjobs/learn_mil.htm