Walt Overfield ⋅ Virginia Beach , VA United Healthcare ⋅ 15 years experience

James,
Let me share my experience with finding my dream job to see if you can do it a little quicker.
Like you, I retired as an E-9 (U. S. Navy MCPO). I had 22 years service in computers & electronics. Before retiring, I earned a BS in History and Political Science and an MBA in Finance. I was planning on being an investment counselor but I didn't fully research this choice until I entered the job market. I wanted to start work quickly so I took a job with a Navy government contractor performing operational testing of a new communications system. The work used my Navy knowledge and skills. Same skills, same industry. When the contract ended, I asked the same question you asked, "What is my dream job?".
Since I didn't know all my choices or options, I took a job managing the Navy's transition assistance program at a large Naval Air Station. We trained thousands of active duty members leaving the Navy and their spouses relocating to the community on how to find employment. The job was low paying but I lasted seven years as I worked on my core question. I used different skills for the same industry. To make more money, I was hired by a large DC contractor to manage the Welfare To Work program for my large city of residence. Same skills as the last job for a different industry. After two years, I took a job as an analyst for a large health insurance company. This job used my computer skills but I had to learn health care and insurance. Different skills, different industry. I left after six years and started my own business where I used my knowledge of health insurance and computer skills to identify improper payments to doctors and hospitals. I worked from home earning enough to meet all my needs for the next 10 years. This turned out to be my dream job because it met all my needs: income, work style, work place, creative needs, computer skills, financial analysis skills, and being my own boss.
Consider this:
1. You can't choose the perfect job until you learn what you really need from work.
2. Try lots of jobs to learn about yourself.
3. Always select a better job for the next job than the previous job.
4. Assume you can do anything so don't limit your choices. You just need to learn how to convince others that you can do the job.
5. Use the internet for just in time learning. Always stay in the learning mode.
6. Learn everything you can about every department in every business you work for. You are always searching for information about you while you help others to be successful.
7. Your first list should be the top 10 characteristics of a great job for you. The long term goal is to perfect this list.
8. Networking is one of the best ways to find a great job.
9. Bad jobs are the ones where you don't learn about yourself.
10. Change jobs often until to find your dream.
Hope this helps!
Walt

John Gunter ⋅ Riverton , UT TEL electronics, inc. ⋅ 60 years experience

Glad to try to help - after West Point, I have been in computer field forever. Might have some ideas, so call me at 801-717-6488, John

Robert Jurasek ⋅ Hollywood , FL Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ⋅ 45 years experience

Dear James,

If the IT/operations/project management thing doesn't work out and you decide to stay in avionics, you might consider a position with the FAA as an Aviation Safety Inspector - Air Carrier Avionics or GA Avionics.

Please feel free to contact me if this is an option.

Thank you for your service, and all the best with your career search.

Sincerely,
Bob Jurasek

Heather Gillbanks ⋅ Houston , TX General Electric ⋅ 26 years experience

James, I am happy to do an informational interview with you. I spent over 20 years in IT (mainly operations) & project management before transitioning to the Business side recently. Feel free to reach out to me via LinkedIn or PM me, here.

-heather

Walt Overfield ⋅ Virginia Beach , VA United Healthcare ⋅ 15 years experience

James,
One way to network is to join a professional association like Project Management Institute http://www.pmi.org/en.aspx. There are thousands of professional associations for almost every line of work that offer members the opportunity to meet other professionals in their line of work, get certifications, find job leads, perform volunteer work and much more. To begin, Google "Project Management Professional Associations" and find one that has a local chapter in your community and that meets your other needs. Once you join, get a copy of the membership list and set up informational meetings with as many managers as you would like. Before each meeting, learn as much about the business or organization that you can so that you are well prepared for each meeting. Also be prepared for an on-the-spot job interview just in case you get lucky. Have a list of good questions that will help you narrow down your career choices to the ones that are best for you. Assume everyone wants to help you but you have to do the hard part of narrowing down your choices so that their assistance is directed toward your needs. There are 5 million open jobs in our country so you have to narrow down the list.
Good luck!
Walt

Eric Hodgson ⋅ Bethesda , MD Hewlett Packard ⋅ 20 years experience

Hello Master Guns,

It appears that you are on the right track, assessing your fit in to the civilian work-place. Some bask question to help frame your current task: are your willing to relocate? Do you want to continue as a Government contractor? Do you have a security clearance / are you capable of being cleared? The list goes on, and my guess is that you already have such a list made out. I would be glad to assist a fellow Marine.

s/f

Eric