In February of 2016, I experienced what would become the beginning of my life-altering transition. While I was attending training classes, I suffered a back injury that would propel my family and me into eighteen months of uncertainty, panic, and fear. My story is not unique. Hundreds, if not thousands of servicemembers\u2014and civilians for that matter\u2014experience life-changing injuries which pause, or even end their careers. It can force you to reevaluate and change every plan you\u2019ve made for you and your family's future. Searching for a new job at any point can be a stressful and terrifying prospect. That is especially true when it is not your decision to begin with. Being told you can no longer serve your country or continue in the career you\u2019ve held for the better part of ten, twenty, or even thirty years, can shatter one\u2019s identity\u2014I know it did mine. I know firsthand how easy it is to want to give up, to wallow in doubt and self-pity. It\u2019s hard work to perform an honest self-assessment and create a whole new plan for your future, especially when you\u2019ve spent years holding onto your old plans.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Many of us have gone through what I\u2019ve come to refer to as \u201cforced transitions\u201d in life. I have been lucky enough to learn from some amazing professionals, both in the military and out, who have mentored me and helped me along the way. And that is what I hope to do for you here.<\/span><\/p>\n So, let me share the lessons that I learned through trial and error\u2014more error actually\u2014so you might avoid the same years of uncertainty, panic, and fear that I experienced throughout my transition.<\/span><\/p>\n Start now \u2013<\/b> Do not wait to begin your planning for the future until you <\/span>need<\/span><\/i> a job. Even though you may be depressed, sad, angry, or scared, take the first step on your next path. For some, that may be <\/span>writing a resume<\/span><\/a>. For others, it may be creating your first <\/span>LinkedIn profile<\/span><\/a>. I would recommend doing some <\/span>self-assessments<\/span><\/a> to identify what kind of work you\u2019re good at and what kind of work you enjoy. Then identify where those two things overlap.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Research as much as you can<\/b> \u2013 <\/b>Job titles, companies, industries, everything. This is not meant to overwhelm you but, rather, help you become informed on what the best path for <\/span>you<\/span><\/i> will be. Learn as much as you can. Take courses\u2014<\/span>LinkedIn<\/span><\/a> has great resources to learn how to network, build your brand, and much more. Network. Start building relationships with people in your desired industry as early as possible using\u2014you guessed it\u2014LinkedIn.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Accept that some things may not work out<\/b> \u2013<\/b> Your first post-service job may not be your dream job. It may not even be a job you ever saw yourself doing. Do it anyway. If the first job isn\u2019t the right fit, then at least you learn what you\u2019re not looking for in a company, a team, or a position. Finding your path through the transitions of life isn\u2019t always a straight line. In fact, it\u2019s most often a twisted, stressful, cluster of missteps, mistakes, and misunderstandings. Even when things don\u2019t work out, you can learn something and improve your future.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Seek support<\/b> \u2013 <\/b>There are more people rooting for you than you know, and there are countless resources available to help you along this journey. There is hope at the end of the tunnel, but to reach it takes work and persistence. Remember, you are not alone! The team at <\/span>Hire Heroes USA<\/span><\/a> is here to help you every step of the way.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.hireheroesusa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Copy-of-Blog-Post-Template-1200-\u00d7-675-px-23.png\" "\\"\\"")
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