ISTOCK/JOT
By Jen Boyer
WATCH
HAI Webinar: Mil2Civ
Maintenance Careers
Transitioning from Mil2Civ
The civilian VTOL
industry
offers a well of career
opportunities for military vets.
TRANSITIONING TO A CIVILIAN JOB AFTER HAVING SERVED IN THE MILITARY can be confusing and intimidating. But with a little planning and preparation, qualified veterans can land secure, well-paying, rewarding jobs in the civil vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) industry. For those interested in such a career change, here are five dos and don’ts to consider.
skills for any professional, and that certainly applies to moving from the military to civilian sectors. Networking means talking to, getting to know, and getting to be known by people in your target indus- try. You can do this by attending events such as HAI HELI-EXPO®
1 , staying connected with current
and past fellow service members, and even cold-calling companies to learn more about their operations and how you can prepare for a position with them, as well as getting to know the people who’ll make the hiring decisions. Whether you real- ize it or not, you also network in every interaction you have with anyone in the industry, even socially. Building a long list of contacts and having positive interactions with them will significantly increase your chances of landing a successful, rewarding civil career.
DO network, network, network. Networking is one of the most important career development
soon to start researching your postmilitary career. There are a number of networking groups and sem- inars focused on helping service members make the transition to the civil VTOL industry; the Mil2Civ Helicopter group on LinkedIn is a great place to start. You’ll receive guidance on creating a civil avia- tion resume, obtaining civilian licenses, speaking “civilian,” and more. Use this time to also research potential employers and their requirements. If you do this work while you’re still in the service, you’ll have more time to prepare yourself with the right experience, licenses, and skills to land that first civil position.
2 3 20 ROTOR DECEMBER 2021
DO learn from others who’ve gone before you. Former service members who are work-
ing in the civil industry are the best source of advice and support for making the transition to a post- military career. Ask them the important questions: How did you get your job? What was easy about the
DON’T wait until you’re out of the service to investigate a career change. It’s never too
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