MilitaryStars Blog

Veterans' Ultimate Adventure Sports Careers

This is a rather cool piece from NavyTimes.com, continuing the theme of "You can do whatever you want!"  Look at the civilian careers these guys have put together in adventure sports - everything from skydiving to big-game hunting.  The common thread: they all love what they're doing.  The most exciting job in the world won't be a minute of fun if that isn't the case... and a lot of people have a blast doing things many of us would deem boring.  The link proves that there really is a job out there for everyone, with universal requirements of skill and desire. 

The Marine and the Montessori: One Veteran's Dream

Wow, this is a good one - could even be a movie.  A financial hotshot hits the big time in NYC in the '80s, chases the money to West Coast software in the '90s, but feels that there has to be more to life than this.  He becomes a Marine officer, and using everything he's learned in the corporate world and the Corps, now is tackling education reform.  He's running a state-of-the-art Montessori school in Texas after originally assuming such places to be "hippie-ish".  We all really do have a lot to learn from one another.  Military skills, a willingness to take risks, and a desire to help others came together here in a unbelievable way and created something great... they can for everyone!  File this one under motivation and have a great week!   

Nationwide Veteran Hiring Roundup

Quick one before the week ends: Thanks to everyone who attended our events in the mountains of Colorado and on the footsteps of the Capitol.  If you check MilitaryStars.com, we'll be hosting two events on the same day in about a month - on the Riverwalk in San Antonio and down the Beltway in Baltimore!  Never let it be said that our team isn't covering as much ground as possible and bringing opportunity with them!  On that note, the NJ veterans preference bill was signed into law last week.  Great news and may it be the first of many. 

DC Area Military: Start Your Next Career Here!

We're set for tomorrow's event in Arlington and looking foward to meeting many of you - as are employers including some of the biggest names in the federal government, a strong healthcare presence, and even Tiffany & Co.  Check them all out here in the middle of the screen - our IT team implemented this slick new scrolling roster; it will stop when you find what you want.  The DC region holds a special honor for us here and we are thrilled to be back!  Best of luck and make the most of every opportunity.

Veteran's Voice in the Pacific Northwest

Well-stated editorial here from the Times in Oregon.  The author, a veteran, points out that Oregon lawmakers are joining those in New Jersey’s efforts to strengthen veteran’s preference for civil service positions.  We will be headed to the Pacific Northwest for the first time in a few weeks, and are honored to be doing our best to follow the author’s advice and offer some great opportunities.  Also noted in the comments, and unknown to me: Oregonian Nike CEO Phil Knight is a veteran.    

Nationwide Civilian Careers in CO Springs!

We are extremely proud to be heading to Colorado Springs for the first time tomorrow and look forward to meeting many of you there!  This is our first event held in the same city as a service academy.  Our branch ratios change across the country as you might expect they would - lots of Air Force in CO, lots of Navy in Jacksonville, etc - but we always see some of everyone, just the way we want it - and our employers do, too, with the variety of positions they're seeking. Last year Money Magazine also named "The Springs" the Best Place to Live in America, big-city division - positions will be available there, across the West, nationwide, and beyond.  It should be a great time in the mountains and we wish you all the best!  Wherever you may be, have a great week. 

Civilian Career Training Program in the Army

A unique transition resource for those in the Army, the PaYS program (Partnership for Youth Success) trains soldiers the skills needed for specific civilian positions.  The catch?  These positions are only available through PaYS partner companies - here's a look at how it works for Eastman in Tennessee.  Some of the PaYS Partners are among MilitaryStars' top clients, including Lockheed Martin - check it out if you have a very clear idea of who you want to work for.

Jobs for Military Family Members?

We're over halfway through it, but this is the Year of the Military Family... I try rather hard to stay on top of this stuff and didn't know that, so don't feel bad if you didn't either.  The reason it came to my attention?  Just saw this item on Forbes about a new public service campaign encouraging everyone to "'support, befriend, remember and appreciate' military family members".  With a cousin just started at Annapolis, this has gained added meaning for me for sure.  We're pretty clear here about our events being for current and prior military only.  I want everyone to know, though, that our parent company Orion has created another venture with military spouses in mind called Homesource America with great, flexible work-from-home opportunities - please feel free to pass it along to anyone you might know who would benefit!    

New Veterans: Federal Government Wants To Hire You!

The federal government is about to lose a boatload of employees to retirement - and they have their eyes on you to step in!  The Office of Personnel Management hosted a webcast recently addressed to the transitioning veteran:

"The federal government is paying very close attention to the current crop of vet candidates,” said Jason Parman, Western Group manager at OPM’s Human Resources Consulting Program. “From a very practical standpoint, they come loaded with very good and deep technical qualifications. Today’s [military member] has to navigate and become an expert at a wealth of technology unseen and unheard of in previous times.… Those qualifications and competencies make them uniquely suited to come in and do well at a wide variety of federal positions.”

This is great information that we're also out there proving mulitple times a month at our events.  Our upcoming event in the DC area, as you might expect, features federal employers from the US Department of State to the FBI to the TSA to the Postal Service.  If you've ever thought about a federal career, they'd love to have you, and if you haven't... they'd love to have you!  Check these federal resume tips here and here.

Sports on Active Duty: A Leadership Edge

This link, from today on the Baltimore Sun's website, is a fantastic piece of writing worth spending time with.  Part of a series on sports and the military, it sets out to show how sports help servicemen and women abroad to keep connected to the rest of us and to de-stress - things I know to be true from the stories I hear from many friends and co-workers.  Beyond that, though, many of the military in the piece describe the positive qualities they get from competing which help them in their active-duty life: teamwork, thinking on your feet, achievement.  These same qualities are what's going to set you apart in corporate America, and if you don't believe me, well, how about a Marine officer / professional MMA fighter:

"It's a chance to show people what Marines are doing," he said. "If you really want to see people doing great things, think about these 20- and 21-year-old guys making decisions every day that are harder than any a CEO ever faces. If I can get that positive across, it's an honor."

Thanks to the Sun for this much-needed positive look at our men and women overseas, and have a great week!