From the Expert: Leaving uniform and finding a civilian career can be a big shift, but with the right approach, it can be a smooth and successful process.
Ideally, begin planning for your transition 12-18 months before your separation or retirement date. Here are three basic steps you can take:
- Identify Your Career Goals: Assess your skills, strengths, and interests. What type of work excites you? Think of your dream job!
- Take Care of Yourself: Transitioning is not just about a job —it’s a lifestyle change. The workouts and healthy eating shouldn't end just because mandatory PT and fitness tests are going away.
- Build and Leverage Your Network: Reach out to fellow veterans on LinkedIn, attend events, and engage with professional organizations.
Some great places to start include:
- American Corporate Partners (ACP), a MOAA partner offering a free mentoring program to servicemembers.
- MOAA Events, which include virtual career fairs, in-person networking opportunities, transition-focused webinars, and much more.
- Service Academy Career Conference (SACC), an ideal event for academy graduates looking for career opportunities.
