Veterans & Jobs: Strategies for Transitioning Out of the Military and into a Career

Every year, thousands of servicemembers make the transition to civilian life. Part of this transition, of course, is looking for a new job. This can be a daunting task, no doubt, but there are a number of solid job hunting strategies that can help these veterans with their military to civilian transition.

Solid Strategy 1: Find a Civilian Career Path

Military experience can translate well into a number of civilian careers, but the first step is to figure out which career might be the best fit. David J. Renza and Edmund J. Lizotte, authors of Military Education Benefits for College, are veterans who help counsel "service connected students" on their military education benefits, and how education can benefit their civilian careers. Lizotte points out a too-typical scenario when it comes to transitioning out of the military: a servicemember who is an MP (military police) in the service might be inclined to go for a degree in criminal justice, but not actually be interested going into law enforcement as a career. Essentially, Lizotte finds that servicemembers don't always think beyond the degree and consider the career that comes after.

According to Lizotte, individuals often look at what they did in the military to determine their educational needs instead of looking toward their career goals. Servicemembers would be better off figuring out what education can bridge their experience with their future career goals, and pursuing that path. Counselors like Lizotte as well as Military Services Coordinators in the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) are available to help servicemembers navigate this path.

Solid Strategy 2: Know Where Veterans Get Hired

Many veterans who struggle to figure out how the type of civilian job they want intersects with the employment market might find it helpful to know which sectors employ the most veterans. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2009 Current Population Survey shows that 69 percent of non-disabled veterans work in private industries, 14 percent work in state and local government, fewer than 8 percent work for the federal government, and the rest work in various other categories.

Now within those sectors, there are different types of jobs. For non-disabled vets, more than one-third hold administrative positions and nearly 14 percent and 17 percent hold professional and technical positions, respectively. Of all veterans, non-disabled vets hold more blue-collar jobs at 18.5 percent.

Solid Strategy 3: Apply Where Veterans Are Preferred

Some veterans work for the federal government, but the myth that the federal government employs more veterans than other businesses isn't true. The federal government does, however, employ a larger percentage of veterans. In 2009, the federal government employed 512,671 veterans, up from 456,254 veterans in 2005. Veterans make up almost 26 percent of federal government employees--and that's intentional. Veterans, historically, have been given preference in federal jobs since the Civil War, though the Veterans' Preference Act of 1944 establishes the practice as a matter of law. Why? Because the government--and many grateful citizens--recognize the economic impact that veterans' service to their country has on their families and civilian careers.

Occasionally, employment of veterans becomes more of a priority. An Executive Order by President Barack Obama in 2009 made his administration's policy clear when it comes to jobs for veterans: "Veterans have served and sacrificed in defense of our nation. When they complete their service, we must do everything in our power to assist them in re-entering civilian life and finding employment," said Obama. "Government as well as private employers should play a prominent role in helping veterans who may be struggling to find jobs."

Within those federal agencies affected by the president's executive order and included in the "Employment of Veterans in the Federal Executive Branch Fiscal Year 2009" report, the below employ the greatest number of veterans:

1. Defense: 277,998 veteran jobs, with 106,296 Army, 73,065 Navy, 69,071 Air Force, and 29,566 other defense employees.
2. Veterans Affairs : 79,068 veteran jobs
3. Homeland Security: 45,933 veteran jobs

Of all the people hired by the federal government in 2009, 62,650 of them (or 21 percent), were given preference because of their veteran status.

Some state and local governments give preference to hiring veterans as well. Because each state sets its own policies, veterans would be advised to check with state or regional VA reps who are the keepers of this information.

Veterans receive preference because they've earned it, and they should take it--any help they receive can make the military to civilian transition a bit easier. While the transition to their civilian careers can be difficult for veterans, a solid strategy for dealing with the transition can help.

Learn more and see the full infographic here: 

From the Armed Forces to the Workforces: The Military to Civilian Transition

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