You Can Take It with You: Work and Life Skills
Transitioning out of the military can be quite a shock. At times, you may think that you are ill prepared for civilian life. Nothing could be further from the truth. Everything you learned during your years of service will help create a strong foundation for achieving your life goals. To put things in perspective, review this list of abilities and character traits. You probably won’t have all these skills. However, you will "score" higher than most people your age who haven't gone through the same types of experiences you have.
Work Skills
The military offers the opportunity to learn some great work skills. Many of these transfer well into the civilian world. Some in particular will give you an edge over those in the job market who have no hands-on experience. Your ability to effectively deal with high stress levels is another plus. Here are just a few of the learning opportunities you may have enjoyed while in the service:
- Administrative Support: There is never a shortage of job opportunities for good administrative assistants. Every boss wants someone who can work behind the scenes to actually get stuff done. If you had the opportunity to create training manuals in the military you will be even more valuable. Most civilian corporations have a pressing need for accurate documentation of procedures as part of their knowledge retention program.
- Computers and Technology: IT is another field where employers require reliable and competent personnel. You may need to brush up on the programs specific to civilian industry. If you have good troubleshooting skills and don't mind being on call at night, look for work in MIS. Some companies offer tuition reimbursement for courses that directly apply to the job they hire you to do. This is a great way to expand your knowledge base.
- Languages: Being bilingual is a huge plus in today's global marketplace. There are lots of opportunities in Human Resources and line management in industrial, manufacturing, and construction environments for people who know English and Spanish. If you speak Mandarin, you are in the ideal position to apply for a procurement position. Employers are also looking for people who speak other languages from the Asian and European continents. Relatively few people are qualified for jobs that require translation. This means you will be competing against a small pool of candidates.
- Mechanical/Electrical: These skills never go out of style. Automotive repair, industrial construction, and maintenance all present opportunities for a steady income. If you don't have the licenses/certifications to set up shop on your own, look for an apprenticeship. Consider investing in your own tools and equipment since this will open up a larger range of jobs.
Life Skills
These are useful both at work and at home. Your strengths have a lot to do with your personality. However, the military has given you the chance to mature and build character. It is up to you to choose what interpersonal skills to take into your new life as a civilian. Here are some of the good things you may want to keep:
- Self Discipline: Military personnel learn self discipline early in basic training. This attribute is essential for success in any endeavor.
- Cooperation: Good communication skills are priceless. Knowing how to work for the benefit of everyone on your team will make you stand out from the crowd.
- Reliability: You know how to pay attention to instructions and follow through to get things done.
- Tolerance: The military has given you the opportunity to meet and live in close proximity to a wide variety of people from different backgrounds.
- Frugality: You are resourceful and can make do with what you have on hand.
- Loyalty: You know how to be trustworthy. This helps you establish solid relationships.
- Leadership: The ability to be a focused 'go getter' who inspires others is a rare gift that is invaluable in your personal and work life.
- Coping with Change: You understand that you can't always control your life circumstances. You roll with the punches and keep on trying to do your best each day.