Transitioning out of the military to the civilian workforce can be a stressful time. We connected with military veterans who work at Stryker and asked them to share advice with those thinking about transitioning out.
Here are 6 career tips for veterans from veterans
1. Find a company whose values match yours
“I chose to transition out of the Navy and work at Stryker because of the values this company stands for – much like the values I stood for in the military. I have always believed that integrity and high performance are keys to success and Stryker expects these values from all their employees.” – Angelica, Associate Manager | U.S. Navy
2. Think about what you enjoy doing
“As you transition from the military to the civilian workforce, think about the skills you learned in the military and what you really enjoyed doing. Make sure you know what you won’t like to do as much as what you will like to do now, and in future potential roles.” – Jim, Vice President | U.S. Army
3. Find a mentor
“My advice to transitioning veterans is to connect with mentors in your preferred industry. Choose a diverse group of leaders, both veterans and career professionals, to help you prepare for your new career. Listen, be open minded, and stay humble.” – Chris, Operations Manager | U.S. Army
4. Use your military background
"As a nuclear submariner, I needed to have a clear understanding of complex systems and how they worked and influenced other key capabilities on the boat. Managing the interaction of technical and business complexities to provide clear strategies for my teams is just one example of how my military background has been very complimentary to my Stryker career." – Jeff, Vice President | U.S. Navy
5. Focus on people
“People are your most valuable asset. If you don’t take care of your most valuable asset, then you’re going to fail. But if you take care of your people, they are going to perform for you and you are going to be successful.” Nick, Brand Manager | U.S. Army
6. It’s not all about salary
“Many transitioning service members state their reason for leaving the military as wanting to spend more time with their families. Those service members will go on to accept offers based on salary even though the role will require 90% travel and/or work over holidays and weekends. Those veterans most likely will end up job searching again in less than 12 months and risk uprooting their families again. Higher salary does not necessarily mean you will net more money or give you the quality of life desired. It is important to fully understand the culture of the company, requirements of the role, and the total benefits package such as 401K contribution, maternity and paternity leave, medical plan, vacation time, etc. to make sure you are able to achieve your life and career goals.” – Jacqueline, Project Manager | U.S. Army
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