Tom Cal, CFA ⋅ San Francisco, CA Army Veteran, Investment Manager ⋅ 25 years experience

Marco,
This discussion might be useful. Industry groups such as SCIP (scip.org) are a great way to meet people, find mentors, and learn. In Civil Affairs we'd call them "force multipliers".

https://acp-advisornet.org/question/1052/how-do-i-make-a-career-transition-into-business-intelligences

Marco Aguilar ⋅ O Fallon, MO U.S. Army, Staff Sergeant ⋅ 9 years served

Thank you all for the information.

Bill, thank you for the information about VCTP -I have never looked on their site and didn't know they had anything for veterans. I did see some recruiters you mentioned on another post that help transitioning veterans and I am in touch with someone at the Lucas Group. He thinks he may be able to help me find something.

Tom, thank you so much for the information you provided. I will definitely take your advice and work on an opening statement as well as other things you suggested. I am interested in history (what I majored in) and I realize that does not translate into much in the corporate world. I am also very interested in intelligence analysis - that has been where I've been focusing my job search. Eventually I would like to take on a leadership/management role because I do see myself as a leader. I am going to do some of the things you suggested and see if that helps me expand on my career goals.

Bob, thank you for the suggestion. I worked part-time for UPS while I was in school and they are definitely a company I would look at again.

This site has been really helpful in just the few days I have been on it. Thanks again, everyone!

Bob Scozzafava ⋅ Westwood, NJ UPS ⋅ 39 years experience

Consider UPS. We have made a significant committment to military veterans. We also promote from within. Consider applying for a driver job to learn our business, from there opportunities will come for the right individuals.

Copy and paste the link below.

http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/bussol/browse/industries/government-shipping/defense/military-veteran.html?srch_pos=2&srch_phr=veterans

Tom Cal, CFA ⋅ San Francisco, CA Army Veteran, Investment Manager ⋅ 25 years experience

Marco - Thanks for your service. Two of my brothers were Army Rangers, as were several of my very best Army officers. I have immense respect for Rangers, thank you for your service, and welcome home.

* I want to reiterate and expand upon Bill's suggestion. Learn about the programs that the Veteran Career Transition Program at Syracuse offers. VCTP offers professional guidance counseling, and both a Professional Skills track (resume writing, interviewing, networking, soft-skills) as well as a Technical Skills Track (remote courses that help Veterans earn in-demand IT and Operations oriented certifications). VCTP Syracuse is 100% free to post 9/.11 Veterans, no GI Bill or VRE is utilized.

http://vets.syr.edu/education/employment-programs/

* I suggest posting your LinkedIn profile to you ACP profile, so we can more easily view your LinkedIn profile. Also embed a copy of your resume within your LimkedIn profile.

* Request a mentor through GallantFew.org and the ACP mentoring program. (GallantFew serves all Veterans, and especially Rangers.)
http://www.gallantfew.org/

* Join the "Veteran Mentor Network" group on LinkedIn. Spend some time reading through the ongoing and older discussions, and then feel free to start a new discussion requesting assistance.
http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Veteran-Mentor-Network-4466143/about

* There is an abundance of information and resources listed on the "Veteran Mentor Network", as well as the opportunity to find a mentor, begin a discussion, etc. (The Veteran Mentor Network is where I first learned about VCTP Syracuse.)

see: " A list of resources for transitioning veterans. Can you add any? " http://www.linkedin.com/groupItem?view=&gid=4466143&type=member&item=269318680&qid=4cbe28c3-309b-496a-a639-0eebcf1f6e99&goback=%2Eanb_4466143_*2_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1%2Egmr_4466143

* Below are some questions to get you started. Feel free to start new discussions here and on other boards asking for assistance with these questions. I also encourage you to work with you mentors on these. I encourage you to type up your answers in a personal "career-planning document", and track how they evolve over time.

* Utilize your university's career planning center and career advisors. They should be willing to spend hours working with you, and should be able to help with each of the items below. If they can not help, please let us know, we can try to politely and effectively encourage them to offer the assistance their Veteran students and Veteran graduates deserve.

* Can you tell us more about your interests and skills? Based on your interests and skills, what are your careers and jobs most interest you?

see: " Selecting a Career, Setting Goals, Mapping Skills to Civilian Industries and Jobs?" http://www.linkedin.com/groupItem?view=&gid=4466143&type=member&item=278541605&qid=e0b3adcd-5291-4a74-bc15-49f42fd3baff&trk=groups_items_see_more-0-b-ttl

* If you had 8-10 seconds to introduce yourself to a Hiring Manager, what would you say? (This is your summary or opening statement, and should focus on the benefits you offer to an employer.)

* If you had 30 seconds to introduce yourself to a Hiring Manager, what would you say?
(This is your 30 second elevator speech, and also should focus on the benefits you offer to an employer.)

see: " My recent experience after developing and using an elevator speech"
http://www.linkedin.com/groupItem?view=&gid=4466143&type=member&item=277827089&qid=49fac5ae-de8b-473d-8574-7da379650ce3&goback=%2Eanb_4466143_*2_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1%2Egmr_4466143%2Egmp_4466143

* What do you want to be able to say in your "elevator speech" 6 months from now, and 5 years from now. (Perhaps use these 3 "elevator speeches" to begin writing a career development plan with your mentor.)

* Based on your career-goals, are there are any certifications that interest you?
see VCTP Syracuse and " "Certifications, and how they can help veterans"

http://www.linkedin.com/groupItem?view=&gid=4466143&type=member&item=270347947&qid=49fac5ae-de8b-473d-8574-7da379650ce3&goback=%2Eanb_4466143_*2_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1%2Egmr_4466143%2Egmp_4466143

* Based on your career-goals, are there are any industry trade groups you should join?
We can help with this once we know more about your career-goals.

* Develop a personal and written "networking plan".

see: "Job-Seekers and Entrepreneurs: Do you have a "networking plan"? Please share your list or plan, and/or please ask for assistance."
http://www.linkedin.com/groupItem?view=&gid=4466143&type=member&item=277096830&trk=groups_search_item_list-0-b-ttl&goback=%2Eanb_4466143_*2_*1_*1_*1_*1_*1%2Egmr_4466143%2Egmp_4466143%2Egna_4466143

* Work one-on-one with a professional that can spend several hours with you, helping you write a great online profile and resume.

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

If you fellows have not visited the Syracuse University website, http://vets.syr.edu/ I suggest doing so. They off multiple tools with the objective of connecting veterans with job opportunities.
Good luck and thank you again for your service, Bill Nobles

Dayron Alvarez ⋅ Passaic, NJ U.S. Navy, Petty Officer Third Class ⋅ 4 years served

Good luck with that. I have been applying since 2011 and no luck yet. Hopefully things will be different for you guys.

jovan bowser ⋅ Fairfax, VA U.S. Army Reserve, Sergeant First Class ⋅ 16 years served

I AM WONDERING THE SAME THING. I AM WORKING ON MY GRADUATE DEGREE AND AM LOOKING FOR A GOOD PAYING JOB IN THE VA AREA AND THIS GOVT JOB THING IS DIFFICULT.