Posts Tagged ‘Careers’

5 Top Careers a Veteran Should Consider

April 21st, 2023

Veterans have numerous skills, training, and abilities to offer their civilian employers. Military personnel learn to work under strict policies and accomplish their tasks in conditions that are often less than favorable. This is why it is no surprise that civilian employers jump at the chance to bring a veteran into their workforce. However, with these refined skills, it is important for veterans to take advantage of the career options available to them by working for a military friendly employer and possibly even establishing a career in one of the 5 occupations most sought after.

Aerospace and Defense

Aerospace is a top career choice for veterans. There is a vast range of employment opportunities in this line of work. The aerospace and defense industry serves both military and commercial markets. It designs, manufactures, and services everything from commercial planes, jet fighters and helicopters, to missiles, rocket-guidance systems and radar systems. An aerospace team is made up of engineers, scientist and technicians working together.

The most popular military friendly employer in the aerospace and defense profession is The Boeing Company. The Boeing Company is the world’s largest aerospace company and a leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners and defense through space and security systems. The company supports airlines, the United Sates and allied government customers in 150 different countries. Boeing is organized into two business units: Boeing Commercial Airplanes and Boeing Defense. Boeing has been the premier manufacturer of commercial jetliners for over 40 years. Currently, main commercial products include the 737, 747, 767, and 777. New product development efforts are focused on the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) provides complete services for large scale systems that enhance air, space, land and sea based platforms for global military, government, and commercial customers. BDS is developing superior capabilities through network enabled solutions, communications and intelligence, and surveillance technologies. Boeing employs more than 170,000 people across the U.S. and in 70 other different countries. This represents one of the most diverse and innovated workforces in the world.

Tip: Practice your communication skills and stay informed of current events in the world of science, technology, and most importantly, aerospace.

Engineering Jobs

The United States accounts for some of the finest engineering talent in the world. Employment is projected to grow about as fast as the standard for all occupations and job opportunities for engineers are expected to be excellent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Engineers apply the principles of science and mathematics to develop economical solutions to technical problems.

Sunoco Logistics owns and operates a diverse mix of crude oil and refined products, pipelines, and storage facilities, as well as crude oil acquisition and marketing assets. Sunoco is interested in assisting transitioning military personnel into civilian careers. They believe in the power of veteran leadership and technical talent.

If you are an engineer seeking new challenges and the chance to broaden or develop your career, BP may be just the company for you. BP is a military friendly employer and is one of the world’s leading international oil and gas companies, providing its customers with fuel for transportation, energy, heat, and light; retail services and petrochemical products for everyday items. BP produces millions of barrels of oil and gas every day. From initial discoveries to chemical refining, their engineers are involved in every stage.

Tip: Develop your portfolio of projects. This will give you something unique to show a prospective employer.

Government Jobs

Careers working for the United States Government can be very rewarding. Uncle Sam takes people who have the right skills and hones those skills to best service the vast needs of the federal government. People working for the government use skills for a variety of things like protecting the environment, guaranteeing the safety of our skies, supporting our nation’s security, and serving in a number of rewarding federal careers. The federal government helps its employees pay for school through hundreds of scholarship opportunities. Government employees commonly receive the total package of federal pay, health and child-care benefits, and are offered competitive retirement savings plans.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is an equal opportunity employer. They employ experienced individuals, including veterans, who know what they want out of their careers and who want an opportunity to make a real difference with one of the world’s largest financial intuitions. The IRS offers a variety of opportunities from internships and entry-level positions to executive positions.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is responsible for controlling air traffic at our airports and in our skies. Veterans Recruitment Appointments (VRA) may be used to non-competitively appoint eligible veterans for positions, for which they qualify, for 2 years. Successful completion of a VRA appointment can lead to a permanent appointment.

Tip: Create a federal resume and become familiar with the hiring process.

Healthcare

Healthcare careers continue to be the career success story of the great recession. From December 2007 until September 2010, the healthcare sector grew by 720,000 jobs while other industries lost nearly 8.5 million jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The 30 million Americans who are scheduled to gain insurance coverage under healthcare reform will double the use of healthcare, which will undoubtedly impact the need to hire.

The James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital and Clinics is one of the most complex healthcare facilities in the Department of Veterans Affairs. It is a tertiary care facility classified as a Clinical Referral Level 1 Facility. It was the first VA hospital and is one of 342 hospitals -VA and private- worldwide to receive the prestigious designation as a Magnet Hospital, the national benchmark for excellence in Nursing Care. JAHVH only hires the best. They realize that working with and for America’s veterans is a privilege and they pride themselves in the quality of care they provide.

Tip: Accessorize your resume. It will help you stand out among others by adding a personal touch, which is an important quality for healthcare professionals to demonstrate.

Law Enforcement Jobs

Are you ready to become a component in the nation’s security and law enforcement system? If you answered yes, you are in luck! There are dozens of job paths in law enforcement and protective services. Career choices range from corrections officers, bounty hunters, police chiefs, probation officers, state troopers, and the list goes on. There are numerous possibilities in the law enforcement field, all of which offer different opportunities, perks, and advancements.

You’ve served well, continue serving with the NYPD. The NYPD is an excellent career opportunity for military personnel transitioning out of the Armed Forces. They believe in extensive training, skills, and management experience that only military personnel possess, which is why they recruit in the military community. Have you been awarded an expeditionary medal for service? If so, the NYPD will be able to buy back three years of military time which will be applied to NYPD retirement. This means that you will be able to retire in 17 years instead of 20!

Tip: Consider the pros and cons of large, medium, and smaller departments serving various jurisdictions. Decide what type of agency matches your personality and career goals.

Making the “career after military” decision is something that should not be taken lightly. There are so many wonderful opportunities out there that are put in place for our veterans to take advantage of because companies realize a veterans worth. Regardless of the career selected, a veteran should always work for a company who will honor and respect them. Military friendly employers, with standards already set in place, are always an excellent prospect.