First week back on Civvy street, initial thoughts...
One week into my first civilian role after leaving the military; "Week 1, Day 1" has a familiar ring for anyone that's previously served – that mix of nervous excitement. This is my first new start in over 12 years!
The lead-up to my start date was actually a lot smoother than I expected. One of the best things about the military is the transition support they offer. I used my resettlement period to really focus on my career goals, brush up on some skills, and explore some passion projects I hadn't had time for before.
A few weeks before I started, I'll admit, the imposter syndrome crept in. Service personnel are used to adapting to change quickly, with postings every few years - but usually, it's within our field and there's a set structure to follow. All those "Who, What, Where, When, and How" questions that were so clear-cut in the military, suddenly felt like unknowns.
Luckily, I landed a job with a fantastic agency that gets the unique challenges veterans face. Sure, I had a few butterflies, but the team here has been incredibly welcoming and supportive, which immediately put me at ease.
The onboarding process has been amazing, and meeting the different departments opened my eyes to the fact that the skills you pick up from wearing multiple hats in the military really are incredibly transferable!
Alongside your main trade or skill set, you can adapt to understand the business faster, connect with colleagues to quickly integrate as part of your new team, bringing a unique angle to new situations and solve problems creatively. The amount of relevant experience you bring to the table is actually quite staggering, when you stop and think.
Don't let those self-doubts hold you back! You've got way more to offer than you might think.
PS. Not my image, but I'm certainly embracing the Birkenstocks over the AKU's for the WFH days!
#BFBSCreative #veteranstransition #careerswitch #newbeginnings #ontothenextchapter #dontfeedthegremlin
50strong Co-Founder | Building Solutions for a Military-Ready Workforce
2molove to see it!! Thanks to all that are planning to join in!