Veterans and those just beginning the transition from active duty to civilian life are in greater need of an obstacle-free pathway to new, sustainable careers. And the University of Arizona Global Campus Career Services team is dedicated to assisting these students and alumni, and perhaps now is more critical than ever for them to rely on this support.
The transition from military service to civilian life is challenging for a number of reasons, among them the difficulty in demonstrating how experience in the armed forces translates to a job or career track. Without resources to remove these roadblocks, service members may not be able to describe transferable skills on their resumes, identify military-focused sources of employment, or even adapt to communication and speech that is common in corporate settings.
To aid in the transition of its military-affiliated students, UAGC Career Services published a revised and updated transition resource. The Military Career Track is a resource for students who are transitioning from military service to private industry or federal employment. According to Amanda Kozel, a UAGC Career Advisor, “This comprehensive module provides step-by-step guidance through every stage of the job search journey - from initial self-assessment and strategic career planning to mastering interview techniques and salary negotiations. It was crafted to be flexible and self-paced, and it should be an ongoing companion that is bookmarked and revisited whenever students need it.”
The Military Career Track guides students through:
- Taking self-assessments
- Setting career goals
- Comparing military pay to civilian pay
- Exploring career options
- Researching the job market
- Gaining in-field experience
- Crafting a resume and cover letter
- Building a professional network
- Conducting an informational interview
- Leveraging LinkedIn
- Attending job fairs
- Joining a professional association or student club
- Searching for a job
- Nailing an interview
- Negotiating a job offer
The module also provides customized resources for military spouses, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), and navigating the military transition with service-connected disabilities. The Military Career Track features a detailed timeline to help students understand what the transition to civilian employment looks like in common instances. But it’s important to remember that military transition and career development are individual processes.
You can access the Military Career Track 24/7 in Handshake, to log into Handshake, follow the steps below. You can access the module here or by sending an email to [email protected].
- Log into the Global Campus Student Portal
- Click 'Student life' in the lefthand navigation
- Click 'Career Services'
- Click 'Handshake'
Once in Handshake, navigate to the Career Center tab and select Resources to access the Military Career Track and additional on-demand UAGC career resources.