I'm exploring work opportunities for after I finish high school and am thinking about Virginia. I'm especially interested in military friendly companies or industries. What advice or suggestions do you have?
Virginia is a great choice if you're interested in military-friendly employers. There's a significant military presence in the state due to bases like Naval Station Norfolk, Fort Lee, and others. The federal sector, contracting, and defense industries are quite substantial in Virginia, so you're likely to find many employment opportunities that value military experience.
1. Defense Contractors: Defense contractors are often eager to hire military-experienced candidates due to the overlap of contextual understanding and required skill sets. Companies such as General Dynamics, BAE Systems, and Booz Allen Hamilton have significant operations in Virginia and are renowned for military hiring.
2. Federal Jobs: With a strong federal presence in Virginia, particularly in areas like Arlington and Alexandria, there are often several positions available in federal agencies that give preference to veterans. The USAJobs website can be a valuable resource for finding these openings.
3. Cybersecurity: As cyber threats continue to be a national security issue, the demand for cybersecurity professionals is rising. Military background candidates, particularly those with specific training or experience in areas like network defense or intelligence, would be attractive to employers in this field.
4. Healthcare: The Veterans Health Administration often looks to hire veterans because they understand the unique needs of fellow servicemembers. Virginia has several VA hospitals, and both civilian and veteran healthcare positions are typically available.
5. Local Law Enforcement or Security: Many veterans move on to work in law enforcement or security. Local police and sheriff's departments, as well as private security firms, often seek out veterans for these roles.
6. Corporations: Some large corporations are committed to hiring veterans. Companies like Amazon and Starbucks have initiatives and programs dedicated to hiring transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses.
7. Education and Training Programs: Virginia also has several education and training programs designed to help veterans transition to civilian jobs. For example, the Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Program provides resources for veterans to gain employment and training opportunities
Remember to make use of your transferable skills – leadership, discipline, ability to perform under pressure, and teamwork, to name a few – when applying for positions, even if the industry does not explicitly say it's military-friendly. It's all about relevance and how you present your experience. Good luck!
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