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What jobs are available to me?

Veteran

Luis Sales Jupiter, FL

Have experience in culinary arts and supply management but I’m open to learning a new trade. More specifically trades in south Florida

14 November 2019 4 replies Military to Civilian Transition

Answers

Advisor

Robert C Lawrenceville, GA

Luis: The answer to your question is what trade excites you. Trades number in the thousands. Try and pick a trade that has good job growth, stability and a good training program. Many unions offer apprenticeships where they teach you on the job and in the class room. You are guaranteed a job while you are an apprentice. You get incremental raise every six months until you have reached the journeyman level. Community colleges offer trade programs that you no where near the education you get working in the field. I was a carpenter. I thought that I was going to build houses and wound up building high rise office buildings. If I had to do it again, I would have been an electrician because the trade is licensed. Once you have your license, you can go out on your own. Once you have a trade, no one can take it from you. You will always have a job. Learning a trade can be tough. The newbie gets teased and does the jobs no one else wants to do. Keep you head down, do your job, and ask what's next when your done. You'll move up quicker and the tradesmen will be more willing to teach you. Always be on time. You'll get where you want to be quicker than you think - but first you have decide where you want to go, the ideal job you are looking for.....

Advisor

Jerry Welsh Middleville, MI

Luis,
I read your interest in possibly learning a new trade? The skills trade employment market is looking for people, and are desperate for dependable individuals. Whether you are speaking electrical, plumbing, automotive repair, diesel repair, this list is extensive. Many companies are paying for the training, or if it is a trade union they will actually set you up in a program a pay you to train. Do not think of trades as just construction, do some research and you will find many skilled trades, including working on robotics, fixing wind turbines etc. The problem today is 50% of the workforce is not showing up on a regular basis and many who show up can not pass a drug/alcohol test. I would read out to an American Job Center near you, they should be able to pass on a number of "trades" taking people into programs. Most of the trades do require some training and many you will receive a certificate/license. Again, food service is a wide open field, but many times w/o the training and certificate I agree with other advice-the market may not understand ALL you do. Thanks for your service and God Bless.

Advisor

Henry ("Dr. Hank") Stevens Fort Lauderdale, FL

I suggest you ask for an informational interview with the Director of Dietary at one of your local hospitals. Health careers are often great careers and many people sell them short. Be open to the possibilities . . . . contact me off-channel, if you'd like some more thinking from me. hlstevens42@gmail.com

Advisor

Jodie Prieto-Rodriguez Pittsburgh, PA

Good Morning Luis,

I have noted that many of our culinary specialist sell themselves short when they get out and stick to short order cook and restaurant management. I have two colleagues who were cooks that landed great roles with Sysco and working as an independent contract that provides freight haul services for specialty ingredient specialty dishes for small and medium eateries.

Military culinary specialist understand the bigger picture in coordinating events, managing traffic, egos, and customer expectations. Don't constrain yourself to serving; supply chain management, logistics, and niche business support.

Instead of learning a new trade, have you considered evolving your current one?

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