Tim Liberty ⋅ Spring Hill, FL Baldwin Krystyn Sherman Partners ⋅ 4 years experience

Hey Joshua, thanks for your service. The transition period is very important for setting yourself up for a successful career. Think long and hard about what you LIKE doing. Nothing better than making a career out of something you enjoy. Use your GI Bill wisely and try to save some of it for masters work if you choose.
Not sure when you are discharging, but if your base offers any computer course, especially Excel course, take them. These are vital skills that every employer will be looking for.
Lastly, having a mentor helped me to identify how my military skills translate to the corporate sector. I would look for one through ACP. Good luck.

Bill Nobles ⋅ Basking Ridge, NJ Exxon ⋅ 30 years experience

Joshua, thank you for your service. I want to reinforce Tim's advice to think hard about what you want to do next. In that regard my April 23, 2013 posting on the ACP site offered several tools others have found useful to self-assess their strengths and interests: "What are best tools for veterans to self-assess their aptitude, capabilities, and interests?"
Good luck, Bill Nobles

Marty Kretchman ⋅ Orlando, FL Signature Flight Support ⋅ 15 years experience

Joshua,

Great advice from Tim. I would also add to his suggestion about considering what you enjoy by relating it to your current role in the service. What aspects of your current MOS and rank are most satisfying (seek) and what are the most frustrating (avoid)? A baseline knowledge of MS Office and general computer literacy would be expected in nearly any civilian work environment, so if your current role hasn't exposed you to those at even a cursory level make time to get some experience.

That said, when you enter the civilian workforce, be open-minded and focus on those core job attributes that will bring you personal satisfaction over pay and title. Be prepared to explain your prior experience to civilian hiring managers, meaning limit the acronyms and military-specific language on your resume and in your speech. If you find something you enjoy doing with the right organization, opportunities will present themselves- you have to get in the door before you get a seat at the table.

If there is anything additional I can assist with please let me know. Best of luck to you!