Free booklet for soldiers eyeing a nonprofit career.
Welcome to the mid-career transitions webpage dedicated to military personnel. As a member of this group, you bring a unique skill set including attention to detail, ability to follow through, and the capacity to perform under stress. At the same time, you may encounter some prejudices revolving around your military background like the misconception that you cannot think or act without “orders” or that you are unable to work in a less-structured environment. Furthermore, you face the challenge of showing the parallels between your military experience and potential civilian employment.
Here are a few examples of organizations working to assist transitioning military personnel:
The Army Career and Alumni Program has career services for retirees, veterans, soldiers, and army family. The website presents some basic job assistance information, such as a job search plan, resume writing, and job interview—though these are limited in scope. The site will also point you towards the ACAP facility closest to you, as well as the job fairs it is hosting.
Corporate Gray links corporate employers with transitioning and former military personnel through its military-to-civilian career transition books, job fairs, and online services. Its website offers some basic job assistance, as well as the opportunity to post a resume and search for jobs. However, as per the name, the jobs available on the site and at their job fairs are largely “big business,” not nonprofit, in focus.
G.I. Jobs acts as a guide for military personnel searching for a civilian career. You’re able to search for job opportunities, franchise opportunities, personal transition information, and job fairs. However, keep in mind that when searching for transition assistance and counseling the site directs you to other organizations or businesses rather than providing information directly to you. Also, they do currently focus on corporate-oriented jobs and have no nonprofit information.
Hire Vets First is a comprehensive career website for veterans seeking employment outside the military. It has some thoughtful personal success stories that highlight the transition from military to civilian work. It also offers an e-TAP section for veterans. This is a helpful website, and includes information and assistance for the entire job search process such as personal appraisal, military to civilian translator, and interview tips and advice for the job hunt.
The Military Officers Association of America provides information and resources on second careers through its career center, as well as career fairs. Though similar to the The Army Career and Alumni Program and Corporate Gray in basic job search assistance and career fairs, the MOAA site also offers a valuable online networking tool in addition to transition-specific resume information.
Transition Assistance Programs are offered to all branches of the military to help personnel transition from military to civilian life. From the site, you can locate one of their nationwide offices or utilize the abundance of job skills information, self assessments, and career search tools.
Troops to Teachers provides step-by-step guidance to military personnel looking to begin a second career in public education. This organization offers some financial assistance to qualified applicants. The site also includes a section both to post a resume and search for jobs. Another valuable tool it offers is assistance in helping you locate mentors in the Troops to Teachers program in your area. For more information check out the Civic Ventures report on Troops to Teachers (PDF).
Email us if you would like to suggest additional organizations and resources for this page.
