Fulfilled, happy, and passionate. That’s what many people would love to experience in their work. And if you’re just returning from military service or still serving, finding your passion in life is vital to having a soul-on-fire career.
Ask yourself what you are especially suited for, given your interests, skills gained in the military, and training. What is it that makes you feel truly alive?
Take it from U.S. Army Reservist Christopher Chang. He was in his second year of college when he got a gut feeling that he needed to change his life. “I wasn’t content then – I wanted to have a real goal,” he says. “I yearned to get training, skills, experience, and a certain mindset that I believed only the military could give me.” So he enlisted.
What happened next was not necessarily a smooth ride, and he ran the gamut of experiences. Trusting in your passion is the first step, according to this serviceman. “I’ve had to work at it,” he comments. “My military experience began in basic training where I learned the basics of being a Soldier in the U.S. Army. Once I graduated, I moved on to the Defense Information School in Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, to learn my military occupation specialty as a Documentation Production Specialist.” He trained alongside civilians and fellow servicemen at the nation’s premiere schoolhouse for defense information.
As a Reservist, he holds both civilian and military positions. Upon graduating and returning home to Covina, CA, his recruiter then got him a government civilian job in Encino, CA, as an Advertising & Public Affairs Assistant for the Los Angeles U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion. He also performs his military duties, handling public relations efforts, such as building partnerships with other countries and cultures.
Government budget cuts forced him out of his civilian job. With perseverance, he ultimately landed a position at ICDC College in Communications.
“It’s all about perseverance,” he says, alluding to a mindset learned in the military. “If you don’t have the initiative to look for a position, you’re only hurting yourself. You have to take it upon yourself to get out there and look for work or volunteer service.”
He states that people he met in the military trained in hundreds of different career fields. For instance, for those who trained as military police officers, armed security and guards detaining prisoners – these skills will transfer well to law enforcement jobs in the civilian sector.
In fact, he points out that many military personnel have Secret Security clearances and a select few have Top Secret clearances. All of these are highly sought-after in the corporate and federal employment world. Civilians who apply for these clearances may take months to a year to qualify, while people who have served automatically have them and can begin work immediately. Positions with agencies like the F.B.I., C.I.A., N.S.A. and even some Homeland Security agencies require these clearances.
If you’ve been wracking your brain, struggling to figure out your life’s passion, a good place to start might be volunteer work or coursework. For instance, you might consider helping Vet Hunters, America ICARE, or the Wounded Warrior Project – to name a few non-profits.
Maybe your calling in life is to help others. This could also take the form of a career in addiction counseling. In following that career path, you can assist others in regaining the reassurance and confidence they need to help them live a meaningful life. Programs in Alcohol & Drug Counseling and Homeland Security are among the many options available at ICDC College.
If you’re still uncertain of your next step, seek guidance from Veterans Affairs1 or contact Military OneSource2. They’ll point you to the proper channels.
“I realized that my drive and motivation to find new work is what contributed to my finding employment in a relatively short amount of time,” comments the Reservist.
“It takes education and perseverance to get where you want to go,” he continues. “There are certain views in the public that need to be changed. I mean, most civilians only think of the infantry and fighting overseas when they hear about the military—not the hundreds of other jobs each branch of service has! A purpose of the military is to provide security for its nation and to offer humanitarian aid to those in need, whether foreign or domestic. Unless you actually experience it [military life], you’re not getting the real facts.”
People in the military are highly trained and educated men and women that have taken it upon themselves to serve their country and be a part of something larger than themselves.
Whether you’re a veteran returning from overseas duty or now serving in the USA, consider using your skills to help other Americans. You can serve others in a voluntary capacity, a paid job, or by furthering your education to enter a new field of your dreams.
1 http://www.va.gov/jobs/career_search.asp
For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website (http://icdccollege.edu/).
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