#1vet2another

Haditha, Iraq 2005 - 19 yrs old.

New site and looking for some feedback, good and bad! If you are interested in completing a brief written info interview about your job/career field/industry, let me know. This blog helps vets learn about different options/tips from a variety of industry professionals. http://1vet2another.com/         @roninart-tactical

Name: Daniel Carroll

Job Title: Director of Technology

Career Field: Computer Science (IT)

Industry: E-Commerce

Company: Grunt Style LLC

Military Branch: USMC

Military Occupation: 0351 Infantry Assaultman

How did your military background help your career so far? Did it make anything more difficult?

The Marines taught me about discipline and hard work.  Without the drive and motivation imparted from senior Marines, I would never have acquired the skills necessary to be successful in the formal education and career paths that followed my service.

What advice or steps would you recommend for veterans preparing to enter your career field?  

Be wary of coding bootcamps and certifications that are not standard or accepted throughout the industry.  Work hard and study in and outside of school.  Code in your free time as much as you can and never stop acquiring new talents.  Keeping up with current trends and continuing education is necessary to remain relevant.

What do you enjoy the most about your career field?  

The ability to work remotely, the culture of the tech field, and the mental exercise of constantly solving problems are my favorite parts. Additionally, being able to create a tool or logic to do advanced computations or complication procedures just by writing some lines of code to a computer is always fascinating to me.

What do you like least about your career field?  

There are long hours and much of it is spent sitting at a computer screen.  Not much physical activity involved.

What skills, abilities, and personal attributes are essential to success in this career field?  

Math, organization, self-motivated to learn.

How do most people get into this career field (internships, networking, etc.)?  What are common entry-level jobs?  

The easiest path to a job is either a Bachelor’s degree from a four-year university or being self-taught and aggressively approaching Open Source or volunteer work to build a portfolio.

How did you find and apply for this job role (career fair, networking contact, online application, etc.)?  

I found out about the position through my military background (the company is veteran owned and operated) and I had just finished college for Computer Science as they were looking for someone to come in and run their IT department and E-Commerce technology.

What made you stand out as a candidate for this job role?  

Military service, College education, Relevant experience, Communication Skills

What kind of education, training or experiences does your job role require?  

College is probably the easiest route but certain individuals with great self-motivation are capable of being self-taught and successful.

What are the major components of your job role on a daily basis?  

Writing computer code, managing staff, architecting technology solutions for problems, creating roadmaps and expectations for the future, setting and enforcing company policies and procedures etc.

What do you like about your industry?

The IT field is well paying, mentally challenging, and every other industry relies on technology professionals.  I can continue to be a Software Engineer at a science lab, for websites, and companies like Google or Apple, in warehouses and machine shops, in the space or automotive industries, etc.  Any industry needs IT professionals, so you can tailor your work environment around your interests.

How do you see your industry changing in the next 10 years?  

Job Title: Police Officer

Career Field: Law Enforcement

Industry: Municipal PD

Military Branch: USMC

Military Occupation: Infantry

How did your military background help your career so far? (leadership experiences, soft skills, hard skills, etc.)  Did it make anything more difficult?  

Having military background helps great in my field. For starters you already have life experiences particularly ones dealing with high stress situations. The majority of everyday civilians do not know how to handle high stress situations like members of the military do. We become trained on it from day one.

Another big advantage is knowing how display presence, you know how to walk into a room and be seen in a commanding way. That is a quality instilled into you from basic that you are able to critique over time. Third is your voice which does relate back to knowing how to display your presence. So many people do not know how to speak with volume, you do.

As far as making things more difficult, it does happen. One thing you need to realize is you’re not the only veteran around and unless you were a member of SEAL team 6 don’t act like it. You know how to be disciplined so act like it. Do not constantly walk around with the veteran chip on your shoulder. Yes you have a lot of qualities that many others don’t, but there’s no need to flaunt it.

What advice or steps would you recommend for veterans preparing to enter your career field?  

This career field is very hard to get into and for good reason. First of all A LOT of people are trying to get in. Competition is thick and you are not the only veteran trying to get in. Take as many tests as possible even if they are for places you don’t have a desire to get hired at. Practice makes perfect, most tests are not that difficult but again you could be testing for a department hiring 2 people and 70 showed up to test. You can interview better than anyone, especially in this field. Know what to say ahead of time and if you don’t, again, the more interviews you do equals more practice. When you’re interviewing though remember you are probably not the only veteran getting an interview.

That being said, when the common question of “tell us about a time you overcame an obstacle by yourself and with a team” don’t use stories that the other guy probably has too I.E. boot camp, infantry training, PFT scores and so on. You need to tell something different. For example, I used one of two stories, one involved training the Brazilian military.  I explained that even with a language barrier myself and others made it work and we both learned from each other. The second was in mountain warfare training in Bridgeport CA, I was part of a Weapon company, which meant we rarely did a lot of foot patrols. I would explain how I took my platoon and for a whole day rehearsed foot patrol without being able to talk. Lastly, as I mentioned before, you know how to present yourself better.  We have all had a uniform inspection before so you know how to stand tall and look the part. Side note, don’t show up to a test or interview in uniform, don’t flaunt it but do use it to your advantage.

What do you enjoy the most about your career field?

It is by far the most rewarding job you could ask for. Doesn’t matter what you’re doing, every day is rewarding in some capacity. It has similarities to the military but the command structure is not as thick/ oriented. Everyone you work with is family, it’s like the platoon you were a part of except no big brass walking around. I feel most veterans enjoy working on their own a lot but not without the occasional partner, police work is exactly that. I’m not sitting at a desk where my boss is six feet away, I’m out on my own with my partner down the street.

What do you like least about your career field?

How it is viewed by many, but if the opinions of others mattered that much to me I probably wouldn’t have joined the military either. Don’t do this to please everyone because you never can and you know that already from being in the military.  You know you’re in the right and there’s no need to remind everyone, so use the discipline you already have and move on.

What skills, abilities, and personal attributes are essential to success in this career field?

Be observant, vigilant, organized, focused, and determined.

Is there something you wish you’d known or a skill you wish you’d had starting out in this career field?  

Better interpersonal skills, not saying mine were bad but with this job you meet new people every day so you need to know how to connect immediately. You can’t always be loud and stern like in the military. The average person will not respond how you want them to if you take that approach.

How do most people get into this career field (internships, networking, etc.)?  What are common entry-level jobs?  

Unfortunately, there’s not right answer to this question. Sure, you could work in security or corrections or as a public safety officer while testing. Though honestly you already have job on your resume that helps, so my best advice is find a job that not demanding while you’re testing. Testing is hard and takes forever so you will need a job that can be flexible with that.

How did you find and apply for this job role (career fair, networking contact, online application, etc.)?  

Blueline.com and word of mouth.

What made you stand out as a candidate for this job role?

Having a military background and college degree. Most departments are looking for either of those two these days so having both helps.

What kind of education, training or experiences does your job role require?

There is nothing wrong with getting a degree in criminal justice if you want to enter this field, but no departments require your degree be in that to count. Everything you would need to know for that would be taught in the academy and learned over time. My advice is to expand your horizons.  For example, Sociology and psychology are two great degrees to get for this field.

What are the major components of your job role on a daily basis?

Slightly hard to describe because each day can be different. The one true statement I can make is you need to be thorough every day in everything that you do.

What do you like about your industry?

As I’ve said before it is truly the most rewarding job out there.

How do you see your industry changing in the next 10 years?

By Matt Medhat

During the military, I didn’t use any computer programs that would be relevant to my future career.   College was my first real introduction to programs that would be integral to life in the corporate arena. With a business major, I had a few courses that taught basic software knowledge in Microsoft products like Excel, PowerPoint, Visio and Access.   There were two major issues.  1. I didn’t take these tools seriously enough (the majority of the blame falls on me).  2. I don’t believe our professors put enough emphasis on how important these tools were for our career.  

For now, let’s look at Excel.  Know enough to be dangerous.  If you get assigned to project that requires more detailed knowledge, you can learn on the job (Google, YouTube, nearby experts, etc.)  In fact, I urge you to not fill your head with details of every function and capability these programs offer.  Use your time more efficiently, learn enough to be dangerous and do deep dives as needed.  

As an analyst, I would often run into situations where I needed to utilize functions, graphs, or other capabilities of Excel that I wasn’t familiar with.  I would go straight to google and ask the question.  So far, I have been able to find a step-by-step “how to” guide or YouTube video for every unique scenario I ask about.   The best part is (in addition to learning new things), people become impressed and start thinking you’re some kind of Excel guru (ha!). Here are some tips to simplify Excel…

Name: Matt Metzger

Job Title: Director of Outdoor Apparel

Career Field: Sales/ E-Commerce

Industry: Apparel

Company: Grunt Style

Military Branch: Marine Corps

Military Occupation: 1161 Refrigeration Mechanic

How did your military background help your career so far? Did it make anything more difficult?

My military background opened a lot of doors that wouldn’t normally have been opened. With my high school grades, I wasn’t accepted into any schools, but the military helped open those doors. I got in and then graduated with honors from Western Illinois University. Western not only helped with the education, but the knowledge on how to act professionally. It continued to open doors after college, in getting noticed at different jobs. A lot of employers saw that and it helped as a differentiating factor on getting the resume call back.

I currently have a job that is very military and veteran focused. The interaction with co-workers and higher ups has benefited because of my military service. Working with business to business, you find that the military aspect is huge with businesses wanting to hire, or being started by veterans. The interaction within the military and the respect for the chain of command has helped lead my career down the correct path.

What advice or steps would you recommend for veterans preparing to enter your career field?  

The E-commerce field is very big. There is a great potential for people within the E-commerce platform. Find something worthwhile, that you enjoy to do, and figure out how to make money off of it. Hard work is essential, unless you are going to be a dead end 9-5er. E-commerce has allowed for many entrepreneurs to sprout and make millions. Know your stuff with the web, learn as much as you can, and prepare to learn as you go. The internet is always changing and evolving. Know your basic marketing, and know how to market in the 21st century with social media.

What do you enjoy the most about your career field?

The constant change has been something that is enjoyable with the E-commerce career field. If you can stay on top of the change, you can ride the wave until the next change that comes out. Knowing how to manipulate changes with marketing and social media allows for the wave to be ridden and success to be everlasting. Working with Vets is always a great feeling as well.

What do you like least about your career field?

It’s a tough pill to swallow, but the best part can also be the worst. Veterans can be very difficult to work with. In the realm of social media, vets can be some very cruel people to other vets. I would like to see a more uplifting and encouraging to other vets and veteran ran businesses.  Vets need to work together instead of against each other to spread into the civilian mindset.

What skills, abilities, and personal attributes are essential to success in this career field?

The ability to accept change, roll with it, and not let the BS get you down. I feel that is a lot of the career fields out there. But the ever-changing internet realm requires you to be very flexible.

Is there something you wish you’d known or a skill you wish you’d had starting out in this career field?  

I wish I had more of a marketing background. Business classes and marketing would have really helped my career field. My major was Law Enforcement and Political Science, not really what I am doing nowadays.

How do most people get into this career field (internships, networking, etc.)?  What are common entry-level jobs?  

So especially with our company, many vets start at the bottom and work their way up. The epitome of the American Dream. Work hard and you can move up. They are starting in production or shipping, and move up there or they can move into a front office role. Hard work equals advancement.

How did you find and apply for this job role (career fair, networking contact, online application, etc.)?  

Honestly found the job posting on a YouTube video

What made you stand out as a candidate for this job role?

I was originally hired for a sales position, and was coming from a previous sales role. I was a veteran and had sales experience. It was a good fit.

What kind of education, training or experiences does your job role require?

The current position would require business and marketing knowledge, an expert in social media, and good knowledge in the fashion industry.

What are the major components of your job role on a daily basis?

I report on the previous days sales numbers, work with outside manufacturers, oversee marketing and social networking employees, discuss new designs for shirts and apparel, and focus on future product releases for upcoming months.

What do you like about your industry?

The constant change. Its challenging and fun. Planning out what is going to be the next hit is always hit or miss. It’s nice to get those hits. The E-commerce platform has rapidly increased the total percentage of all retail sales, and will only increase.

How do you see your industry changing in the next 10 years?