Alan Leggitt was an Army Combat Airborne Ranger who transitioned into a successful tech career after leaving the military. Here are his top five pieces of advice for those making the military transition and wondering what's out there in terms of jobs:
1. Don't Let Your MOS Pigeonhole You.
When I first got out of the military, I thought that changing careers from my military occupational specialty (MOS) to data science would render my military service a waste of time. What I learned was that even being an infantryman gave me a unique and valuable perspective to bring into the field of data science.
2. Don't Underestimate the Value of Your Story.
Regardless of what you did in the military, you have a unique story to tell that can capture the imagination of people who might not be familiar with the military. I've used that to my advantage every time I've written an application.
I'm convinced that telling my story that got me into grad school and got me a National Science Foundation fellowship can be beneficial. Remember that when you apply for something, your essay is one of hundreds, if not thousands, that someone has to read. Make yours stand out by telling a unique story.
3. Start Building Your Portfolio Right Now.
This is advice I wish I would have followed earlier. For example, if you're interested in data science, there are many ways to start right now. Open source projects, publicly available datasets, hackathons, coding competitions and nonprofits are looking for volunteers of all skill levels.
If you teach yourself a new skill, write a blog post about it, using language that non-technical people can understand. If you're taking a class and you get an assignment, don't just think about your grade, but think about how you could show it off to a prospective employer.
Always think in multiple dimensions and how to maximize the return on your investment of time and effort.
4. Prioritize Experience over Coursework.
If I were evaluating you as a job candidate, I would look at your portfolio before your transcript or GPA. I want to see what you can do, not what classes you've taken.
If you're using the GI Bill, I recommend taking a light course load so you can focus on getting practical experience; that might mean taking an unpaid internship, contributing to an open source project or volunteering.
5. Reach Out to Other Veterans for Help.
When I was job hunting, I used a free trial of LinkedIn premium to find veterans at all the companies that I wanted to work for. Or use Veterati, another great veteran mentor platform.
That connection was enough to get total strangers to talk to me, explain the hiring process and, in some cases, get an internal referral that can lead to an interview. Even if it doesn't result in a job offer, it could lead to getting advice or finding a mentor.
You can start with me. If you're thinking of becoming a data scientist, find me on LinkedIn. I'm happy to answer any questions you may have and recommend steps you can take.
Find the Right Veteran Job
Whether you want to polish your resume, find veteran job fairs in your area or connect with employers looking to hire veterans, Military.com can help. Subscribe to Military.com to have job postings, guides and advice, and more delivered directly to your inbox.
