Paul Trejo ⋅ Austin, TX University of Texas at Austin ⋅ 40 years experience

Hello Craig.

First, thanks for your service.

Regarding your questions, here are my opinions as a former business owner.

1. You have ample credentials. Your next employer will want to know your EXPERIENCE. He or she will expect to hear anecdotes about your overcoming of obstacles. Have plenty of those anecdotes on hand. When your interviewer asks a question -- reply briefly with one of your anecdotes, rather than with a simple yes or no.

2. Your best opportunities will be those that match your resume the closest. There are few exceptions to this rule. You have an MPA in public management -- this suggests expertise in the public sector.

3. If you find a private-sector company interested in your resume, that would suggest to me that they are sorely lacking in internal Project Management skills, and they need firm guidance in that area -- such a company would probably want you to manage their Project Management Team.

Yet I think that would be rare. In the private sector, management positions are never granted by seniority or tenure -- BUT BY INVITATION ONLY. (Nepotism is common in the private sector.) Also, being invited into the Management club after the age of 40 is virtually unheard of in the private sector.

The private sector is often like a free-for-all brawl; and one must develop a taste for it. The main rule seems to be: never call your boss, "sir," but always treat your boss with military deference.

In my opinion, you have very strong credentials that will virtually guarantee you a smooth transition to a public sector job. Coming from a vast bureacracy like the US Military, you might find local government too small or even boring. Choosing the right SIZE of company should enter into your planning phase.

I'd advise you to take the initiative in your job search -- find the top dozen PROSPECTS that fit your favorite critera: e.g. location for your personal and family convenience; topic; size of company. Then, narrow that down to the top three. Then, narrow it down to the top ONE, and then STUDY that company. Find out the name of the Director. Find out their statistics. What was their biggest Project in the past five years? In the past year? What is their biggest Project this year (if that data is available).

Go into the interview knowing almost as much about the Company as the interviewer.

I know you'll do great.

Best regards,
--Paul Trejo

Doug Lange ⋅ Lewisburg, TN Olive Software, McGraw-Hill (Platts), Auto-trol Technology ⋅ 30 years experience

Craig, you have been excellent advice, above. Here is some supplemental info for you to consider:

In your particular case, I would suggest putting a high priority on networking. As you haven't been in the local workforce, your network is probably smallish. Here is a link to several professional chapters in your area: http://www.pmi.org/Get-Involved/Chapters-PMI-Chapters.aspx. You could speak with the local chapter's membership director and explain your transitioning plans and ask how their organization can help you.

Other resources that are being used more and more by folks looking for careers are: LinkedIn (they have numerous segment-specific groups that you can join, most of which welcome requests for help and referrals) and the fairly large world of industry-specific blogs, such as:

http://blogs.pmi.org/blog/voices_on_project_management/
http://www.pmpblog.com/
http://network.projectmanagers.net/profiles/blog/list?tag=PMP

Good luck and thanks for your service!

Bret Liberatore ⋅ Plano, TX Hewlett Packard ⋅ 9 years experience

I would second many of Paul's points- but the larger question is what do you want to do for your post-military career? Identify those management positions that appeal to you and determine if you have the qualifications (experience and/or education) for that role.

You appear to be well qualified for your next career within the public or private sector. You just need to drill down to a 8-digit grid coordinate.

Guy Graves ⋅ San Antonio, TX GEO Group, Inc. ⋅ 15 years experience

Craig, you are highly educated and gifted. You shouldn't need further "education" just a great opportunity. It is folks like you that are driving my business concept. Over the next 5 to 10 years there will be loads of businesses for sale by retiring baby-boomers. Persons like yourself can form teams with other vets and buy/operate them rather than settling for just a job. If you think that I can be of assistance let me know.

http://livingabovelimitation.org/secret-career-find-hooah/

Thank you for your service! You are a valued asset for any smart company.

Craig Petronella ⋅ Clarksville, TN U.S. Army, Master Sergeant ⋅ 19 years served

Paul,

Thank you so much for the insight. I have been struggling with the direction I am suppose to go after I retire. I have been on the Texas workforce website and the Texas Veterans Commission website and looked at job descriptions for both state and private sector jobs. That where my question first arose. I figure I can keep searching while I ACAP put I want to ensure I place my efforts and attention on the right job/career path. The goal is another 20 retirement just serving in a different capacity.

Bret,

I hope I can narrow it down and I will continue looking at what opportunities are present at my retirement date. The plan is to be just as focused on my transition as any other mission or job task I would do.