I am currently a USAF paralegal transitioning out of the military. I’m considering contracts administration/management as my second career. I have reviewed contract as a paralegal but I don’t feel I have enough experience to say I’m proficient in. How can I gain more knowledge to get my foot in the door? Are there any specific requirements needed? I haven’t had much luck in my own personal research.
Thank you in advance!
Answers
Renisha, you have a great skillset that is in demand. My employer - Navisite - runs and manages a Veteran's job resource/search service. Try looking here as it has opportunities and resources across the US:
https://www.veteransjobexchange.com/
Thank you for your service
Renisha - as someone who works for a defense contractor, I can tell you that "contracts" has significant demand. So long as you have a BA, I would suggest searching the large contractors such as Boeing, Lockheed, Raytheon, etc...for posting. Network with folks via LinkedIn, they're VERY veteran friendly. In general, your skillet has plenty of demand in a variety of fields. Let me know if you need any help or have any questions.
Hi Renisha, thank for your service.
An opportunity for someone with your background may be insurance. Check out producers, claims adjudication and contract management in the insurance industry. Any city will have insurance professionals and agencies.
Good luck.
I would also check at your Readiness Center to see if they have access to the Government Contracting School or point you in the right direction. You may need to visit the procurement office and do some informational interviewing. Google informational interviewing so you can get your foot in the door to speak with someone, so they know you are interested in the career and requirements/certificates and or schooling. God Bless and good luck.
Dear Renisha,
Federal agencies and the various branches of the military have a great demand for Contract Specialists, if that job title interests you. My suggestion is that you search for “Contract Specialist” on www.usajobs.gov. Specifically, look for job announcements that have the pay grade listed as (GS 5-15) because this means that you could start, will little experience, at the GS-5 pay grade but still have a promotion potential to GS-15.
For example, the job announcement at https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/515806400 details the education and experience requirements, for each pay grade, under Qualifications. In whichever pay grade you start, you will have to be in that grade for one year before you can be promoted to the next pay grade.
Also, since the job announcement covers many locations, the salary range does not include locality pay, which you can find at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2019/general-schedule/. If the location of your position is not listed then use the pay table titled “Rest of United States.”
When you apply, all of the locations for that job announcement will be listed and you will have the opportunity to select all- or select only those locations for which you would like to be considered. You also can select the lowest pay grade that you would accept.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Good luck, and thank you for your Service!
Sincerely,
Bob Jurasek
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