Matt Quick’s Post

I’m applying to MBA programs while in the military. Along the way, I’ve suffered from self doubt and imposter syndrome as I consider the competition from incredible applicants. I’ve talked to many veterans who got admitted to top MBA programs and they all tell me they experienced the same thing. To anyone else in my position, I wanted to share their advice with you. The fact that you don’t come from a shiny background and had to overcome obstacles to get to this point is exactly what makes you a strong candidate. Explore those obstacles. What lessons did you learn? How will you apply those lessons in a corporate role? How will you help those that come after you? To the veterans, what obstacles did you overcome that helped prepare you for success in the civilian world?

"When should service members earn certifications, Matt?" Three to five years before leaving the military. This way, they're trained, certified, and ACTIVELY gaining experience throughout their military career. ((Experience is key to post military employment)) And it's at NO COST to them! ((Through COOL / CA)) "But, what if we don't know what we want to do yet?" You're in college, right? "Yes. I've earned three degrees already." Do your degrees align to your post military career? "Not really. I basically earned them for promotions." Ok, then... Look into the 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 (𝗖𝗔𝗣𝗠)® or 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 (𝗣𝗠𝗣)® certifications. These apply to all industries. ((And you'll manage your military projects more efficiently)) Start with Project Management Institute's foundational KICKOFF course. It's 𝙁𝙍𝙀𝙀 and takes about 1-hour: https://lnkd.in/eZ3Nqybx How are YOU preparing for your next career? Are you actively upskilling? ((We should be)) And yes... That's an 𝘼𝘾𝙏𝙐𝘼𝙇 fork in the road. 😎 #QuickNote #projectmanagement #military #militarytransition #education

Heading into the military without a degree can limit your potential for higher ranks, leadership roles, and better pay. The frustration of being stuck at a lower rank can be overwhelming. But there's a solution! Why You Need an Associate Degree Before or During Your Service: 1. Leadership Opportunities: Stand out and qualify for leadership positions where you can truly make a difference. 2. Higher Rank and Pay: Elevate your rank and increase your pay scale with the power of a degree. 3. Competitive Edge: Gain a competitive advantage over your peers and accelerate your military career. 4. Enhanced Skills: Gain valuable skills and knowledge that not only benefit your military duties but also prepare you for life beyond service. Don't Let the Lack of a Degree Hold You Back! Join the Finish Your Degree Challenge and start your journey towards earning that crucial associate degree. Ease the pain of stagnation and propel yourself to new heights in your military career. Sign Up Today and Turn Your Military Service into a Path of Growth and Leadership! upperleveled.com Like and follow us!!! #upperleveled #DegreeChallenge #FinishYourDegree

It’s been about 72 hours since I took and passed the PMP. I’ve had numerous people congratulating me on the accomplishment. To those who reached out, liked a post, or even read it- thank you. 🙏🏻 🗣️I had a conversation yesterday. The highlight of the conversation was this: “You just told the world you're serious business in corporate America.” That didn’t make sense to me. So I thought about it. This is what I came up with: 🪖In the last two decades, I have served alongside some of the most amazing human beings that have walked the earth. I have had the honor of working with and for giants among men. You see, in the military, at least in the Paratrooper world, it’s expected that you become a jumpmaster if you want to excel. Now, what does this have to do with PMP? It’s the same signal you’re putting out there. To become a jumpmaster takes time, effort, and an endless pursuit of excellence. It tells your boss and those around you that you are serious business in your organization. 🪂Now, when you’re serving in great units, such as the 173rd or the 82nd, this qualification is standard. But once you leave the epicenters of where jumpmasters are made, you figure out that you have achieved something most haven’t. So, I just wanted to share this comparison, and I hope it helps someone understand the importance of certifications. In my eyes, civilian certifications are no different than military schools. Until next time. ✌🏼 #pmp #militarytransition #leadershipinsights

Check out some of these talented SOTF Fellows owning their transitions! They've completed Phase I (exploring their soft skills) and are now entering Phase II of the SOTF program, which is focused on developing the hard skills of interviewing, writing resumes, networking, and more. Help them in their transition by connecting with them here on LinkedIn!

In high school, it was “Go to college or join the military”. So, I joined the military. (I had other priorities in high school) No one ever brought up a “trade” or an entrepreneurial track to focus on. I'd never heard about #projectmanagement We should do better. We need to talk about 𝘼𝙇𝙇 available options... And quit talking UP college so much and DOWN on everything else! What do you think? 𝙋𝙈𝙄 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙟𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮™ 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘩 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵-𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘴𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵. https://lnkd.in/gheWuCiw #careers #education #networking #jobsearch #hiringandpromotion

Are you resilient? Are you working through a transition from one job to another or one industry to another? Transitioning from the structured world of military service to the dynamic private sector has been an incredible journey—one that's taught me invaluable lessons in resilience and adaptability. Imagine navigating high-stress missions and leading diverse teams, and then applying those skills to a civilian career. It wasn't just about finding a new path; it was about demonstrating how military leadership seamlessly translates into success in the private sector. My career began with foundational training, advancing through various leadership courses, and ultimately leading tens of thousands of personnel as a drill sergeant. Leading diverse teams towards challenging goals taught me firsthand what resilience truly means—adapting and thriving in demanding environments. Continuing with airborne and air assault schools pushed my boundaries and honed skills that have proven vital in civilian life. However, transitioning into the private security sector presented unforeseen challenges. Despite my wealth of experience, translating military leadership into civilian opportunities was daunting. The hurdle wasn't just finding openings—it was proving how my skills seamlessly translated into success in the private sector. In the corporate security realm, I was tasked with elevating guard forces, streamlining alarm response protocols, and meticulously documenting incident reports. Strategic planning became second nature as I aligned organizational goals with effective policies and procedures. My military background equipped me to navigate multicultural dynamics, fostering collaboration and achieving objectives despite diverse perspectives. Each obstacle only fueled my determination to succeed and contribute to my new field. Looking back, I'm grateful for the resilience cultivated during my military tenure. The lessons learned—tenacity, adaptability, and strategic thinking—continue to guide me as I embrace challenges and inspire others to persevere. Resilience isn't just about enduring—it's about thriving. It's about leveraging every experience to propel oneself forward, transforming obstacles into opportunities. I invite you to join me on this journey of resilience, where every challenge becomes a stepping stone to success. Together, let's redefine resilience and forge new paths in our respective fields. This transition might seem daunting, but remember that every experience you've had has prepared you for this next step. Embrace the challenges, stay resilient, and keep moving forward. You've got this! #ResilienceJourney #MilitarytoCivilian #LeadershipTransition #AdaptandThrive #FromServiceToSuccess #ObstaclesIntoOpportunities #ThrivingThroughTransition #ResilientLeadership #NavigatingChange #CareerEvolution #InspireResilience #EmbraceChallenges #securitymanagement #security #veteran #layoff

Heading into the military without a degree can limit your potential for higher ranks, leadership roles, and better pay. The frustration of being stuck at a lower rank can be overwhelming. But there's a solution! Why You Need an Associate Degree Before or During Your Service: 1. Leadership Opportunities: Stand out and qualify for leadership positions where you can truly make a difference. 2. Higher Rank and Pay: Elevate your rank and increase your pay scale with the power of a degree. 3. Competitive Edge: Gain a competitive advantage over your peers and accelerate your military career. 4. Enhanced Skills: Acquire valuable knowledge and skills that benefit you both in the military and in civilian life. Don't Let the Lack of a Degree Hold You Back! Join the Finish Your Degree Challenge and take the first step towards a brighter, more successful military career. Ease the pain of stagnation and unlock your full potential. Sign Up Today and Propel Your Military Career Forward! upperleveled.com Like and follow us!!! #upperleveled #DegreeChallenge #FinishYourDegree

Last evening, I and my batchmates at #IIMKozhikode had the incredible opportunity to attend a lecture by Lt Col Prem Vas (Retd), an expert in guiding military personnel through the transition to corporate careers. The session was packed with invaluable insights, practical advice, and real-world examples that truly resonated with me. Col Vas highlighted the importance of leveraging the skills and discipline gained in the military to excel in the corporate world. Key takeaways included: 1. **Translating Military Experience to Corporate Language:** Understanding how to articulate military experiences in a way that resonates with corporate recruiters. 2. **Networking:** Building and nurturing a professional network to uncover opportunities and gain industry insights. 3. **Continuous Learning:** Emphasizing the importance of upskilling and staying updated with industry trends and technologies. 4. **Cultural Adaptation:** Navigating the cultural shift from military to corporate environments, including adapting to different leadership styles and workplace dynamics. Heartfelt gratitude to Col Vas for sharing his expertise and for his dedication to helping veterans succeed in their civilian careers. Your guidance is truly inspiring and empowering. It was icing on the cake to have shared the experience and mutual admiration for the webinar along with my #IIMK batchmates and fellow transitioning veterans Tuhina Singh, Taranjit Singh and Wg Cdr Prithvi Rajan For all my fellow veterans, the transition can be challenging, but with the right support and resources, it’s entirely achievable. Let's continue to support each other in this journey! #MilitaryToCorporate #VeteranTransition #CareerGrowth #Networking #ContinuousLearning #Leadership

Without a degree, your potential in the military might be capped. An associate degree can elevate you to higher ranks and better pay grades. Ease the pain of stagnation and achieve your goals with the Finish Your Degree Challenge. Join Today and Unlock Your Full Potential! upperleveled.com Like and follow us!!! #upperleveled #DegreeChallenge #FinishYourDegree