[fullwidth background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]When you’re thinking about narrowing down options and starting a career after the military, one of the first thoughts that comes to mind is, “Can I actually get hired in this industry?” You just need a few reasons to follow through and commit — totally understandable.
So how about 3.5 million reasons? That’s how many new manufacturing jobs are going to be created by 2025, something the National Association of Manufacturers has been bragging about recently. And on top of that, a lack of skilled workers means that nearly 2 million of these jobs are going to be left unfilled and waiting for you to scoop them up.
If you aren’t sure that you’re a fit for manufacturing, think again.
“Specifically in the areas of supply chain and distribution, many veterans bring transferable logistics skill sets that enable quick training and ramp up,” says Brooke Camp, program manager at Coca-Cola.
That’s as close to hearing the golden phrase, “When can you start?” as you’re going to get in the civilian world.
To sum up: yes, you’re going to get a job in manufacturing. And yes, you’re going to love it.[/fusion_text][/fullwidth][fullwidth background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][one_full last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][title size=”2″ content_align=”left” style_type=”double solid” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Haddock[/title][fusion_text]
Project Manager, User Experience & Digital Services, The Coca-Cola Company
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Why did you choose this career path? I’ve been fortunate to work for a company that offers many opportunities to broaden career experiences within the organization. I have intentionally moved across multiple functions, starting with supply chain because it was the most natural fit given my logistics background. Since then, I have worked in sales, marketing and now user experience roles. It’s been very rewarding!
How long before separation did you begin your job search? I began my search about five months out from separation.
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Best advice for transitioning service members? Set realistic expectations. You may feel like you’re taking a step back or starting over. It’s because you are, and that’s OK. If you take the values you learned in the military with you, you will quickly rise above your peers and be a huge success!
What’s the coolest thing about your job? I just love working for an iconic brand like Coca-Cola. In addition to all the cool things I get to do with my day-to-day job, I also get to impact the veteran community through my leadership of the Military Veterans Business Resource Group.
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Age: 38
Military Service:
Lt. Col. (O-5), Army (2000-2006)
Army Reserve (2006-Present)
MOS: Multifunctional Logistics Officer (90A)
Education: Bachelor’s, economics and business, Virginia Military Institute, 2000
MBA, University of Georgia, 2014
[/fusion_text][/one_third][/fullwidth][fullwidth background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][one_full last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][title size=”2″ content_align=”left” style_type=”double solid” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]Major Brad Stai[/title][fusion_text]
Program Manager, VA/VE, Eaton
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Age: 41
Military Service: Major (O-4), Army (1993-2013)
MOS: Military Police (31A)
Education: Bachelor’s degree, criminal justice, Columbia College, 2000
Master’s degree, business and organizational security management, Webster University, 2007
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What do you do? I direct cross-functional teams responsible for executing product cost reduction programs, which includes maintaining the project schedule, scope, cost parameters and meeting quality requirements.
Best advice for transitioning service members? Start early, network as much as you can and know what you want to do. Leading something or someone is not a job. Find something you want to do and are qualified for and pursue it. Civilians can’t make a job for you and really don’t know what we do in the military. Make the connection for them and they will get it. And lastly, you can’t start at the top. Your knowledge of the business you are entering is most likely very limited and the company is taking a risk hiring you hoping you can get it and be an asset for them. I always thought I could do some big title job right out of the Army, but my two years spent in manufacturing as a supervisor really taught me a lot about the lighting business and gave me the personal knowledge to be a more competitive candidate for my current role as a program manager.
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What worked best in your job search? A combination of LinkedIn, networking and web searches.
Any funny incidents during your first days on the job? According to the team leads I had working for me I was pretty intense in the first few weeks although I didn’t think I was being that way! I guess I was just excited to start something new and eager to learn as much as I could, much like starting a new assignment in the military.
[/fusion_text][/one_third][/fullwidth][fullwidth background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][one_full last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][title size=”2″ content_align=”left” style_type=”double solid” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]Major Lillian L. Mongan[/title][fusion_text]
Lead Services Project Manager, General Electric
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What do you do? I manage 40-55 electrical distribution projects simultaneously in large, commercial construction jobs. In addition to project management functions, I assist in managing quarterly revenue realization for our business segment of GE by ensuring critical project milestones are met and billed as forecasted.
Why did you choose this career path? Project management has variety in the types of projects (i.e., telecommunications, electrical distribution, personal security details), financial responsibility ($10,000 to $2 million), and actions. Besides managing, you are problem solving or “putting out a fire” to keep your project on track. For example, a dedicated truck was contracted to deliver a replacement component because every hour our customer’s production line was down it was costing them $600,000.
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What worked best in your job search? Networking, professional LinkedIn profile, three versions of a well-written résumé, and a rehearsed 30-second pitch about myself. In the military, the majority of us are trained or become subject matter experts in more than one field. I held signal, finance, and civil affairs positions, so I tailored three separate résumés for each field.
Best advice for transitioning service members? Take advantage of the free programs and assistance out there for military members. For example, Hire Heroes USA offers free services for updating or creating your résumé (civilian or federal) and LinkedIn profile. Get a LinkedIn account and upgrade to a premium account; it’s free for one year for U.S. veterans and service members (https://specialedition.linkedin.com/veteran-job-seeker/).
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Age: 43
Military Service:
Major (O-4), Army (1999-2011)
MOS: Signal Corps
Education: Bachelor’s degree, business administration, finance, California State University, 1999, Advanced Project Management Certification, Stanford University, 2013
[/fusion_text][/one_third][/fullwidth][fullwidth background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][one_full last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][title size=”2″ content_align=”left” style_type=”double solid” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]Sergeant Evan Crist[/title][fusion_text]
Safety Manager, Trinity Highway Products, LLC., a subsidiary of Trinity Industries, Inc.
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Age: 25
Military Service: Sergeant (E-5), Army National Guard (2008-Present)
MOS: Combat Engineer (12B)
Education: Bachelor’s degree, safety, health, and environmental applied sciences, graduated safety practitioner, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 2015
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Why did you enlist in the military? My family has a long tradition of service in just about every branch, but I have an uncle in particular who inspired me the most. On top of that, the life experiences, education benefits and transferable skills combined to make it a no-brainer for me.
What do you do? As a safety manager, my main focus is keeping the facility management team informed of safety or environmental concerns and working with them to ensure Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) compliance. In addition, I lead accident investigations, conduct emergency response exercises, process worker’s compensation claims, and provide employee training on several processes and safety.
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What is your typical day like? One of the best things about my job is that no day is the same. A typical day could range from employee training and hands-on applications to conducting corporate audits and conference calls. A career in safety and with Trinity Highway Products is truly dynamic.
What surprised you about the civilian workforce? The attention to detail, discipline, accountability and the teamwork were all on par with the military. I honestly was not sure what to expect but I was definitely happy with these parallels.
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