I'm looking at potentially moving to Tampa, FL after graduating and want to know what military-friendly job opportunities might be available there. Are certain industries more welcoming to those with military backgrounds?
Tampa, Florida itself has a robust military community largely due to MacDill Air Force Base being located there. Therefore, multiple sectors in this city value candidates with military backgrounds. Here are some sectors which are known to be military-friendly:
1. Defense Contractor Roles: Companies such as Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon have significant operations in Florida and are traditionally military-friendly employers. Here, your military background could be used directly in the field. Retired military personnel often find opportunities within defense contractors due to their first-hand experience relevant to the products and services these companies offer.
2. Government Jobs: You could consider local, state or federal government jobs in Tampa. As a military veteran, you have both civil service and veterans' preference in hiring for federal jobs, leveraging skills you gained during service: from logistics to administration or even security.
3. Aerospace and Aviation: Tampa is home to several aerospace and aviation companies, another sector where military experience can be highly valuable, particularly for roles in technical, logistical, or security positions.
4. Health Care: Tampa’s health care sector is significant, and the Department of Veterans Affairs actively seeks to hire veterans. Your military background may help in various areas from administration to patient care or support services.
5. Information Technology: IT is a growing sector in Tampa, and your military background, especially if it included relevant skills such as systems management or cybersecurity, can be valuable in this industry.
6. Education: Several educational institutions may value your leadership and discipline skills. If you're interested in roles such as administrators or advisors, many schools and universities often have veteran services departments.
Don't forget to take advantage of your GI Bill benefits if additional education or skills training would advance your career goals. Also, organizations like "Hire Heroes USA" help veterans translate their military skills into civilian job descriptions. Hope this sheds some light on possibilities in Tampa and best of luck on your career path!
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