One of the biggest challenges service members face as they transition to civilian life is figuring out what they will do for a living. Information technology is an extremely popular career choice for veterans in today’s world. The pay can be quite good, and you generally will be working in a comfortable environment. Also, there are a variety of paths veterans can take in an IT career, ranging from helpdesk support to network administration to cybersecurity analysis (among others). Many of our veteran students have concerns about transitioning to an IT career because they may not have much experience in that field. However, as a military veteran you possess several qualities that are useful in any IT job.
Five Veteran Qualities That Excel in IT
- Attention to Detail. Service members understand the importance of paying close attention to detail, because it is a part of your life from day one. Whether it’s making sure that the bristles of your toothbrush are facing the correct direction when preparing for a wall locker inspection or ensuring that your weapon is thoroughly cleaned, attention to detail has been an important skill for you. That skill is invaluable in many IT jobs; cybersecurity analysts must look for specific indicators of compromise, for example. Desktop support technicians investigate symptoms to determine the reason a component is not working correctly. In each of these cases, attention to detail is critical to the success of the mission. Your military training has helped to develop that trait in you.
- Teamwork. The IT world revolves around working as part of a team. Incident response teams must work together to investigate and respond to security violations. Server administrators work as part of a team that ensures delivery of business-critical services. Servicemembers understand the importance of teamwork better than most anybody; your life (and the lives of those around you) has depended on that understanding. Organizations of all types can benefit from your ability to function as part of a team.
- Standards. Everything in the military operates according to a standard, from your appearance in uniform to the way you have maintained a vehicle or weapon. It is the same in IT environments. In some cases, those standards are defined in organizational policies, while in others they may be mandated by law. You have lived and worked in an environment that operates according to a standard; there are few places where you can develop that kind of experience the way you have in your military career.
- Working Well Under Pressure. Jobs in IT can have pressure-filled moments. There could be a security incident occurring in your organization, or your web servers may be inaccessible (meaning your company is losing money). As a servicemember, you have had to work under the most intense pressure of all; that of protecting the lives and liberty of people everywhere.
- Importance of Security. Guard duty. It is one of the most basic duties performed by servicemembers in all branches. Whether you are a Marine charged with guarding an embassy in a foreign country, or you’re charged with safeguarding valuable information, security is at the very heart of what you do. In fact, many of the most important concepts of information security have been based on military principles, making information security a very logical next step after a career in military service. Your understanding of the importance of security is an asset to any employer.
As a transitioning service member or veteran, you have a lot of choices to make regarding what’s next. If you’re considering a career in IT, don’t let a lack of experience stop you. Veterans have a wealth of knowledge and experience in key areas that are attractive to any employer.
The five qualities listed above are just a handful of ways that veterans can bring value to their next position.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said that “you don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”
Now is a great time for you to take that step!
Interested in learning more about how we help veterans earn their certifications and transition into IT careers?
Contact us today and take the first step toward your future in tech.
