I recently discovered ACP and am currently awaiting a mentor. While I wait I figured I’ll throw a question out to this forum to get a general consensus and reality check on my future plans. It’s a little lengthy so I apologize in advance.
I’m a Captain with the US Air Force. For security reasons I won’t go into my exact work details just suffice it to say I’m a pilot. I’m married with two beautiful daughters of 6 months and 3 years who manage to run my wife and myself through the complete range of human emotion on a regular basis. My personality is fairly laid back, although I’m no stranger to hard work and dedication.
I’m currently studying for my MBA with emphasis in finance through Webster University online (St. Louis school with regional accreditation). I started with the regular MBA as I’ve always had an interested in business but was never sure on a specific direction I’d like to pursue. Once I began the financial classes it clicked. I knew this was an area of business I could excel at so added the emphasis and launched my new love of learning everything I could on corporate finance and trading. Books, podcast, magazines, newsletters I read/listen to it all.
Here is my predicament. While I’ve enjoyed my time in the active duty I can’t see myself making an entire career out of it. My passion and heart are not in it anymore for a number of personal reasons I won’t go into. The Air Force has also recently implemented various reduction in force measures and have begun soliciting for volunteers to get out. It seems that things will line up very soon for us to take this opportunity if it is what we decide. My desire is to get out of the active duty and move to the guard or reserve while pursuing an alternative career path.
While I have experience in sales prior to the military, I don’t want a sales job. I gravitate toward analytical processes, statistics, working with people, leading teams and solving problems. I’m more a jack of all trades with experience in aviation, combat, leadership, home maintenance/repair, music, computer programming and as previously mentioned, sales. I’m willing to consider all options.
This leads me to my question. What kind of careers I should be looking for that would fit my talents, abilities and interests and what experience should I be looking to get for the given field before applying for work? Right now, I think my ultimate goal would be to become a CFO of a smaller tech or military contractor startup though I’m open to other possible outcomes and as well. For example, I could see myself eventually working on the financial side of many industries including energy, aviation, tech, communications or banking. Right now I think my best bet is to use my masters degree to get my foot in the door at a major investment bank to build the experience on the financial side and see where it goes from there.
If you were me, what career option would you suggest I pursue and what path would you take to get there?
Answers
CPT Massey,
The best advice I could offer you is to network, network, and network. Additionally, I would suggest getting a Linkedin account that has parity with your resume. Put the URL of your linkedin account on the resume and it will make you have higher visibility in the job market. I'm a military veteran in the defense/aviation industry and I love it. I work with good people and many are fellow warriors like myself. Since you mentioned being a "jack of all trades" have you ever done some research on Systems Engineering? This would allow you to combine various leadership and technical attributes in addition to exposing you to budgeting and finance of various programs.
Stephen,
I agree with creating a Linkedin profile (if you haven't already). Linkedin offers a free upgrade to a job seeker account for Service Members. This upgrade allows you access to job postings and hiring managers. It's a year long upgrade. This allows great networking opportunities.
Second, try Lucas Group. It's a free headhunting service by Veterans for Veterans. They will get you in front of employers and you can choose the field you want to be exposed to. They also give resume advice.
Good Luck!
Damin
Stephen,
I strongly agree with Phil Carson regarding networking & LinkedIn. Start now and play with the features and profile options. It's free and there is no need to upgrade for simple networking.
You can try the veterans service officers regarding different opportunities and perhaps the vocational rehabilitation (VR&E) program might be something for you.
One suggestion I have that assisted me is to take a look at the ACE Guide and look up your different MOS/Billets, MCI's and resident courses. This can give you a listing of responsibilities that you may want to incorporate into your resume.
http://www.acenet.edu/news-room/Pages/Military-Guide-Online.aspx
Hope this helps. If I may be of any other assistance please look me up on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/rmartinelli1/.
Semper Fi
Ray Martinelli
Stephen:
I am the owner of my miloitary aerosapce company and a former USAF E-7 out of AFSOC. When I got out I got my BSEE and went intoengineering and then into Business Development. I discovered that the sales is NOT BD. Excpecially when developing BUsiness within the defense industry. What you become is a relationship manager and liason with technical answers in solving real world problems. I do not sell anything. I do however solve real world problems within the military with real world solutions. It works for me and the programs I have worked including progects for JPADS, USAF EOD, USAF PJ's, C-17's, C-130J, MC-12's and VC-22's
Companies that realize the knowledge you have of how the military functions, operates and uses including how they solve problems when they need solutions is a major advantage that you have that no one else knows. You know how to deal with Functional managers and Chiefs and Sr's and where the actual user decisions come from. Most people think it's General so and so...you and I know different. Exploit your knowledge, you've earned it. Take advice from an old E-7, use what you know and don't put a "nasty name" on it....
Lee DeLellis
Hi Stephen,
With your interest in finance and analysis, you might want to take a look at investment management. Simply put, the job involves analyzing companies in a variety of industries (as well as the stocks and bonds those companies issue) in order to find good investment ideas. Investment management companies manage mutual fund and pension funds to help people reach their financial goals. Happy to go into more detail if you want to discuss further.
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