1. MAXIMIZING RESOURCES:
VOCATIONAL TRANSITION STRATEGIES
AND OPTIMIZING YOUR TIME IN HIGHER EDUCATION

2. INTRODUCTIONS
• Troy Stormoen – 101st Airborne – Vet Center Outreach
• TMCC Grad – 2006
• UNR Grad – 2008
• Founding Officer – UNR Veterans Alumni Chapter
• Paul Stockton – US Navy Seabees – VITAL Initiative
• TMCC transfer – 2008
• UNR Graduate – 2013
• Founding Officer – UNR Veterans Alumni Chapter

3. PURPOSE
• It is important to have a strong perspective about the reality of how to engage
with the community and maximize your opportunities in the job market.
• Some detrimental practices will be discussed, but more importantly, we’ll
provide positive strategies.
• Higher education provides good life experience and is excellent for assisting in
transition from the military. We want to emphasize that while you have a
good time in college it is important to be proactive in moving into the job
market.

4. HUMILITY
• As Veterans we all have unique experiences.
• Veterans have unique skill sets and professional advantages.
• HOWEVER, we are NOT the greatest employees on earth and are NOT
immediately equipped for every job we think we want.
• Knowing how military skills and rank structures translate to the civilian world
is the first step to knowing how you really fit into the job market.

5. RANK CORRELATION
Geneva Convention Category GS MILITARY
V: General Officer Senior Executive Service O-7 through O-10
IV: Field Grade Officer
GS-15
GS-14
GS-13
O-6
O-5
O-4
III: Company Grade Officer
GS-12
GS-11
GS-10
GS-9
GS-8
O-3
O-2
O-1
II: Non-commissioned Officer/Staff Non-
commissioned Officer
GS-7
GS-6
GS-5
E-7 through E-9
E-5 through E-6
I: Enlisted
GS-4
GS-1 through GS-3
E-4
E-1 through E-3

6. OVER-SUPERVISED
• You and all other Veterans were some of the most closely managed people on
the planet.
• This works in your favor:
• You are familiar with and appreciate rank and hierarchy
• Your “Followership” is strong.
• Being a good follower is entirely a good thing
• These traits make you more likely to stand out and increase chances for
upward mobility.
• How is this negative? It is important to cultivate the ability to work
independently.

7. PRACTICAL VERSUS LITERAL TRANSLATION OF SKILLS
• How qualified are you for a position you are applying for?
• Navy Veteran applicant for software engineer position
• How honestly responsible for assets or personnel were you?
• Are you prepared to be a store manager after being a fire team leader?
• Did you ACTUALLY control $13 Billion in equipment?
• You are probably Underqualified, but presenting yourself as Overqualified
• Both situations are not ideal.
• It is a bad idea to cut and paste your job description from goarmy.com
• 11B - Infantryman
• -Perform as a member of a fire team during drills and combat
-Aid in the mobilization of vehicles, troops and weaponry
-Assist in reconnaissance missions
-Process prisoners of war and captured documents
-Use, maintain and store combat weapons
• What does this experience provide to a company like Microsoft or the Washoe County School District?

8. KNOW YOURSELF
• Take the time to look at your experience and understand it realistically
• Use resources available to accurately and effectively translate them so employers can understand
your value.
• Professional Interview and ResumeAssistance*
• Create the narrative of who you are:
• When sharing experiences be honest, but share those details that are relevant and why.
• If you are applying for Asst. Manager at Starbucks, the story about your convoy coming under fire
is less pertinent than the time you solved a logistical SNAFU and still moved your people out on
time. (hypothetical, but you get the idea)
• When wading through small talk, be memorable but brief. Avoid “oversharing” or scary stories.
• Rooftop in Ramadi
• Use positive experiences to establish yourself as an asset

9. KNOW YOUR “ENEMY”
• The “adversary” you now face is the job market
• Knowing what employers are looking for in specific job placements is key.
• If you feel yourself qualified for a position:
• Research and gain as much knowledge about the company/organization and the job as
you can
• Reference your experience to the different duties, responsibilities and qualifications
related to it.
• Contact the HR representatives about the job to establish your level of interest and
commitment.
• Remember that your prospective employer is probably not a veteran and may suffer from
PTSD-phobia.
• Whether this is a challenge you face or not, there is a misconception that PTSD has
rendered Veterans difficult to work with.
• Source: State survey

10. Understanding Unemployment Statistics

11. RESUMES
• Your resume is not ready
• Resume writing assistance is that, assistance.
• Many versions are probably necessary.
• Federal and State Resumes will be different than Private Sector
• Create a quality LinkedIn

12. FROM THE EXPERTS
• “Job seekers must think like recruiters,” says Chris Galy, director of talent acquisition at Intuit. “Read the job
description carefully, understand what pain the hiring manager is trying to solve with the role, and describe
specifically how your experience and leadership skills will make that company successful.” Galy told me that
too many job candidates are vague, sending the same pitch to multiple companies or hiring managers.
“Veterans and other job seekers who don’t have the exact experience often wing it and hope they get lucky.
Generally, it doesn’t work.”
Forbes Article - http://www.forbes.com/sites/carminegallo/2013/07/24/veterans-recruiters-want-to-hire-you-
but-they-need-your-help/?goback=.gmp_3754418#
• Pitch #1 (poor): I’m a recent graduate from [fill in the blank]. I’d like to work in marketing and I’m a veteran.
• Pitch #2 (better): “My name is Garrett Deese and I am a highly motivated individual with eight years of
experience in organizational structure, function and personnel management. My specific expertise lies in
team leadership with a proven record of accomplishment throughout a successful military enlistment. My
strengths lie in creative business practices, out-of-the-box thinking, executive decision-making, policy
direction and strategic business planning.
• Pitch #3 (winner): My name is Garrett Deese and I am a social media specialist with unique skills in social
community building, tactical engagement and adaptable response techniques. I help brands define their
positioning, connect with their audience in a more authentic way, and make informed metrics-based
marketing decisions. With specific training in military communication and situation awareness, I bring a
unique global perspective with a proven ability to operate in high-pressure team environments.

13. NETWORKING
• The importance of this CANNOT BE OVERSTATED
• Testimonials:
• High level government hiring authority
• Work studies
• Quality references for all types of applications
• Initial hire
• Clearance and background investigations
• Is your roommate the best reference? Or perhaps Local/State/Federal agency
directors would be better.

14. NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
• Veteran Clubs
• Wolf Pack Vets
• Omega Delta Sigma
• TMCC Vets
• WNC Vets
• Non-Veteran Clubs
• Academic and social clubs
• E.g. History Club, Association for
Computing Machinery, Honor
Societies
• Networking Events
• ENGAGE
• Rotary Club
• Campus Resource and Job Fairs
• UNR Career Studio
• Job assistance
• Beyond Yellow Ribbon
• DETR

15. HOW DOES CLUB INVOLVEMENT HAVE AN IMPACT?
• Veteran Led Community Clean Ups
• Engage
• BBQs
• Involvement with larger events further establishes the ability to
coordinate and manage as well as demonstration of motivation
and ambition.

16. CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND SERVICE LEARNING
• Internships
• Working directly for employers and establishing
professional relationships
• These can be significantly eye opening to
whether or not you want to remain in the field.
• Volunteering
• Being an asset to the community and becoming
connected to service oriented organizations.

17. PROFESSIONALISM
• How we conduct ourselves is vital to how we are observed by others.
• Small things that may not seem important can derail your efforts
• Voicemail message
• Email address
• Professional attire

18. CONCLUSION
• Be Honest
• Know what you can and CANNOT do, but emphasize and expand your strengths to
improve your marketability.
• Be Involved
• On and off campus activities are the surest way to connect with resources that will
help you succeed after college.
• CAUTION - Don’t let involvement take over your life and detract from your well-
being
• Be Professional
• When making connections, present yourself at the highest possible level.

19. QUESTIONS?