Good job options right after the military

What are some of the best jobs to consider right after leaving the military? I'd love to hear about transition experiences and which industries might value military service and skills.

There's a wide variety of potential careers open to veterans given the diverse skill sets you gain during your service. That said, your optimal career path may differ based on your military background, personal interests, and the availability of positions in your preferred location. Nonetheless, here are some potentially rewarding fields:

1. Defense Contractor: Given their understanding of military operations, veterans are often highly valued by defense contracting firms. They sometimes work on equipment or systems they used during their service, allowing them to directly apply their military knowledge.

2. Federal Government: Veterans are given hiring preference for federal jobs, and the government highly values the discipline taught in the military. The Department of Veterans Affairs is a common starting point, though there's a plethora of opportunities across all agencies.

3. Information Technology: The tech sector often seeks veterans for their team-working, problem-solving, and leadership skills. If your military experience included technical training or cyber operations, the IT field could be a natural fit.

4. Law Enforcement or Security: The discipline, physical fitness, and experience with emergency situations gained in the military can provide an edge when working in law enforcement or security. Many local, state, and federal enforcement agencies actively recruit veterans.

5. Logistics and Supply Chain Management: Military logistics are massive operations, and veterans are often more than up to the task of running smaller-scale civilian logistics.

6. Project Management: Your ability to plan operations, manage people, and follow through on tasks makes project management another worthy consideration.

7. Healthcare: If you worked as a medic or held other healthcare roles in the military, transitioning to civil healthcare services can be a strong choice, especially as your military experience could be attractive to employers.

Remember that most industries value the skills you’ve gained in the military: leadership, discipline, teamwork, problem-solving, and more. It could be useful to leverage veteran-focused job boards and networking events, as well as career transitional assistance from the military, when you're taking this next step. Always take into consideration what you're passionate about and how your acquired military skills can align with those interests. This will assist in creating a fulfilling and meaningful civilian career.