In a hot job market where demand continues to outpace supply, upskilling has become a critical way to find talent to fill current openings. Within the cleared workforce, veterans remain the largest segment of the cleared talent pool, so upskilling veterans transitioning out of military service is a popular hiring strategy for a growing number of companies. If you’re a veteran, you may be wondering how to translate your skills, find your first opportunity, or learn more about the job market.
Mandi Ingersoll used the skills she gained in the Navy to find a new role working at Tetrad Digital Integrity (TDI) as an analyst. She went into the Navy in 1998 as a Radioman (RM) and while Industrial Technology (IT) was not a part of her initial duties, her role became more technical over time.
“[IT] has grown immensely, both in how much IT is incorporated into our daily lives, as well as scope. It used to be when you thought of “IT,” you thought of a system administrator type job,” said Ingersoll. “Now, that is much broader with help desk, system administration, cybersecurity technicians, cyber security managers, etc.”
Ingersoll found her role with TDI while working with employees of the company at her last duty station with the Navy. As she neared retirement, she was able to find out about openings through networking on the DoD contract where she was. She thought it would be a great fit for her as her first role after retiring from the military, because it was a small company who valued their employees. She also appreciated their technical expertise.
“TDI has always been a cyber company, whereas other companies were IT companies that moved into the cyber field,” Ingersoll explained.
Advice for Servicemembers Considering Cybersecurity
When asked what advice she would give to someone who is considering a career in the IT or cybersecurity career field after military life she advised, “Ensure that you take advantage of any opportunity for training in the military; this will help you in the civilian workspace.” The more training and certifications you receive while serving in the military will make the transition to civilian life easier.
She also recommends learning about the company you are working for. Don’t just take the first opportunity you find. Some service members may be eager to jump into the first opportunity, but given today’s job market, it can pay to be patient and do your research on the company first..
“Make sure that you really understand what a company is about before you commit to them,” said Ingersoll. Finding the right fit after military life is not always easy. And sometimes military members don’t understand the culture and personality of each organization. Just like the different branches have their own unique qualities, businesses have different focuses and missions. Know what they are so you can pick a company that is the right fit for you.
