Burn Pits: What You Need to Know
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HOT INDUSTRIES FOR VETERANS These thriving industries are full of Military Friendly® Employers that want to hire you.
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E-4 Rises to Top Ranks of NASCAR
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CONTENTS
Volume 17, Issue 7
18
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EVERY ISSUE
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6 / SOFTEST LANDING? WE’VE GOT IT COVERED.
TRANSITION 8 / PROPOSED LAW ADDRESSES BURN PITS
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28
INDUSTRY INTEL 18 / HOT INDUSTRIES FOR VETERANS These thriving industries are populated by Military Friendly® Employers that want to hire you.
28 / ALL ABOUT WHOLESALE Veterans work in every industry, including wholesale trade. But what is it?
GET HIRED
19 / DEFENSE
34 / GET HIRED™ OPPORTUNITY INDEX
Veterans in Congress introduce bill to prevent recurrence of Agent Orange debacle.
20 / ENERGY
10 / FREE PROGRAM HELPS VETERANS BECOME ‘IT-READY’
22 / FINANCIAL SERVICES
Learn how you can get trained for a career in technology.
24 / MANUFACTURING
21 / SUCCESS! ENERGY
23 / HEALTH CARE
These employers are advertising in this issue and want to hear from you. Contact them today.
25 / SUCCESS! MANUFACTURING
SUCCESS STORIES
GIJOBS.COM/JOINTHERANKS
26 / TRANSPORTATION
14 / RIGHT ON TRACK Army skills help propel one-time tanker to top ranks of NASCAR.
TAP/ACAP MANAGERS: NEED MAGAZINES? EMAIL COURTNEY MILLER
courtney.miller@viqtory.com
So you want to be a civilian? Download the Mother of All Transition Guides at gijobs.com/moat. 4
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EVERY ISSUE
MONTHLY MUSTER
SOFTEST LANDING? WE’VE GOT IT COVERED. DEAR READERS: Have you ever wondered which industries offer the most opportunities to veterans? We did too. This spring we decided to find out, so we dug into the 2018 class of 237 Military Friendly® Employers to see which industries boast the largest numbers of these elite employers. Then our team looked at government and private sector data to see which of those industries were growing the fastest and promise sustained growth. The result is the 2018 Hot Industries for Veterans. These six industries represent 127 of the 2018 Military Friendly® Employers operatBetter for Veterans: Read the white paper that urges institutions to commit to being “Better for Veterans” in their policies, programs and practices. Betterforveterans.org
ing in thriving sectors that offer job security and good salaries. Beginning on page 18, you’ll find a summary of the industry and why it’s hot, along with a list of the top jobs the Military Friendly® Employers in that sector are recruiting veterans for. We include a snapshot of the topranked job as well. Any conversation about thriving occupations must include IT specialists. On page 10 we outline a free program that trains veterans for careers in IT in a matter of weeks. It prepares them for certification testing that will help open the doors to this in-demand career path. If you’re a NASCAR fan – and even if you’re not – you’ll love our feature on Tim Clark, a former tanker who used the soft skills he learned as an Army E-4 to climb the corporate ladder to vice president of digital media at NASCAR. He shares his story and advice for you on page 14. Finally, if you’ve ever wondered what wholesale trade is all about, we offer an overview on page 28 and talk to a veteran who found his dream job as a broker in this behindthe-scenes sector. We don’t have have the space to print all of the great content our team produces, so if you want to see more be sure to visit GIJobs.com for endless resources to help ease your transition back to the civilian world.
Mike Stevens Chief Executive Officer
13th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (Ret.) U.S. Navy, 33 years
Chief Executive Officer
Mike Stevens Vice President of Operations
Sean McAlister Vice President of Business Development
Scott Shaw PRODUCTION Managing Editor Dan Fazio Art Director Edgar Reynolds Contributing Writers
Andrea Lovas, Marty Levine, Shane Christopher, Stephanie Montague, Dan Swanson, Tim Malloy, Andrea Peck, Charles Eaton Daniel Caliguire Bri Cooper Programmatic Campaign Manager Alysha Tuma Marketing Operations Manager Justin Pearson Digital Marketing Coordinator Tim Malloy Digital Marketing Assistant Caleb Ostrander Digital Marketing Manager
Assistant Digital Marketing Manager
CIRCULATION Customer Service Manager Courtney Miller ADVERTISING Ad Fulfillment Specialist Tori Mason
G.I. JOBS MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED BY VIQTORY in conjunction with GIJobs.com MilitaryFriendly.com Guide to Military Friendly® Schools Military Spouse magazine MilitarySpouse.com
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VETERANS VOICES
ADVOCATING FOR YOU
PROPOSED LAW ADDRESSES BURN PITS Veterans in Congress introduce bill to prevent recurrence of Agent Orange debacle. IF YOU SERVED IN IRAQ or Afghanistan, you may have breathed toxic airborne chemicals from open burn pits. Brian Mast, a Republican congressman from Florida, was exposed to burn pits in Afghanistan. That inspired him to introduce the Burn Pits Accountability Act (H.R. 5671) with Tulsi Gabbard, an Iraq veteran and congresswoman
from Hawaii. “When I was serving in Afghanistan, trash and human waste were often burned in open air pits,” Mast said. “I think it’s quickly becoming clear that these burn pits are emerging as the Agent Orange of my generation. Service members that were exposed in Iraq and
Afghanistan are seeing terrible health effects at a very young age. These men and women risked their lives for our country, and this bipartisan legislation will go a long way toward getting them the care they have earned.” The legislation would require the Department of Defense to document
whether a service member has been exposed to open burn pits or toxic airborne chemicals. Those who have would be enrolled in the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry, unless they opt out. More than 141,000 service members and veterans already have signed up.
Photo Caption: Paul Rieckhoff, executive director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, discusses the Burn Pits Accountability Act at a Capitol Hill news conference on May 17, 2018. Also participating were Christina Thundathail, second from left, an Army veteran who was exposed to burn pits; Afghanistan veteran Rep. Brian Mast, third from left; Iraq veteran Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, fourth from left; and Col. Mike Barron, USA (Ret), MOAA’s director of Currently Serving and Retired Affairs, Government, right.
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WHAT DO YOU THINK?
“
I was deployed with many veterans who were exposed to burn pits for extended periods of time every single day. It was just a part of our everyday lives while serving there. This exposure is now proving to result in debilitating and potentially deadly illnesses for many. This is the Agent Orange of our generation, and the VA needs to take action now to collect data and information on veterans who were exposed to burn pits, so we can document the impact and make sure our brothers and sisters are cared for. Our legislation is an urgent and critical step toward getting them the care they need and deserve.”
“
Recording information about burn pit exposure in a timely manner ensures veterans have accurate health records. This helps when veterans submit VA claims because nobody remembers what happened 20 years ago as accurately as when it happened. We thank Representatives Gabbard and Mast, VFW members themselves, for their bipartisan effort.” Carlos Fuentes Director VFW National Legislative Service
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii Iraq Veteran Co-sponsor, Burn Pits Accountability Act (H.R. 5671)
“
MOAA strongly supports this legislation, and we are working closely with several of our partner organizations in The Military Coalition, as well as with Reps. Gabbard and Mast, to see it become law.” Col. Mike Barron, USA (Ret.) Director of Currently Serving and Retired Affairs, Government Military Officers Association of America
“
We’ve now got historic legislation to begin to tackle this silent enemy that could impact millions of us for decades to come. Today, IAVA and two dozen veterans and military organizations are proud to stand with our fellow Post-9/11 veterans, Representatives Gabbard and Mast, Army Iraq and Afghanistan veterans respectively, to introduce a bill to finally appropriately focus on burn pits. It’s an important first salvo in what could be a fight to last a generation.”
BEEN EXPOSED? If you were exposed to open burn pits you can sign up for the VA’s Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry at gijobs.com/burnpits.
Paul Rieckhoff Founder and CEO Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
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TRANSITION
CAREER COACH
FREE PROGRAM HELPS VETERANS BECOME ‘IT-READY’ Learn how you can get trained for a career in technology. BY CHARLES EATON, CREATING IT FUTURES
THE TRANSITION FROM MILITARY to civilian life can be challenging for veterans. Are you having trouble finding a job with family-sustaining wages? Or do you feel stuck in your current position and want to make a career move? In either case, I have great news for you: There are a lot of opportunities waiting for you in information technology (IT). In any given quarter there are more than 500,000 IT job postings nationwide. And if you are tired of relocating, I have more good news: Those half a million jobs are spread across all 50 states, which means it’s likely you won’t have to go too far to find IT work. According to research by my organization, CompTIA, a worldwide nonprofit IT trade association, nearly three-quarters of businesses (across a range of sizes and sectors) report relying heavily on technology to meet business goals and objectives. Yet these same employers cite a lack of qualified people to fill hundreds of thousands of open positions working with technology. Moreover, it’s a problem about half (46 percent) of business leaders polled expect to become worse with time (see “Skills Gap” bar chart on page 12.).
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To help address this concern, Creating IT Futures, a tech workforce charity founded by CompTIA, launched IT-Ready, a tech training program for adults in transition. We believe a fantastic way to help fill the tech skills gap is providing groups currently underrepresented in technology fields – such as women, people of color and veterans – with more opportunities to learn IT career skills. Veterans are an important part of our mission. Today, just over 10 percent of IT-Ready participants are veterans, and we’re eager to expand this group. Why? Because, in our seven-year experience with the program, we’ve discovered people with military experience make great technologists.
Who is a technologist? We believe technologists are defined by these five traits, which they share with many veterans of military service: • A Technologist Thinks Strategy First — Before they start working, technologists step back and plan – just as veterans learned to do during their service. • A Technologist Has a Passion for Solving Problems and a General Curiosity — Technologists don’t see problems as obstacles to avoid; they consider problems opportunities for solutions. • A Technologist Sees Technology in a Constructive Context — Technologists appreciate that, in the broadest sense,
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OVERALL SKILLS GAP SITUATION • A Technologist Believes Tech is about Humans, not Hardware — Technologists see gadgetry as solutions that serve people, just as veterans learned the tools of their trade to serve their missions.
Nearly half believe the skills gap is growing (46% net)
{
technology is a tool, and its value is determined by its application for the benefit and assistance of people. Many veterans learned the same lesson from their time in service.
33%
• A Technologist Values Respect, Cooperation and Collaboration — Technologists, like veterans, know what it means to be part of a team in service of a mission. The days are long gone when most IT staff worked alone in a dark room; it’s all about collaboration and connecting to the end user.
Two great aspects of IT-Ready: It’s free and takes only eight weeks to complete. How can you join an IT-Ready program? First; you must apply. And today, you must either live near one of our training centers in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Portland, Ore.; or Charlotte, N.C. or be able to travel to one of those cities. If that doesn’t work for you now, stay tuned as we add more locations and classes in coming months. Also, there are other free or low-cost nonprofit training programs across the country that are similar to IT-Ready, such as those from Per Scholas, The Stride Center or NPower. If you can come to one of the training centers and are interested in applying, here’s what you can expect from the program: The IT-Ready Technical Support curriculum teaches the ins and outs of operating system installation and upgrading, installing and imaging virtual machines, data storage, peripheral devices, safety and maintenance, assembly and disassembling of
hardware, computer networking, Internet security, and troubleshooting. After you’re done, you are set up to take CompTIA’s A+ certification exam. Our instructors also teach business skills — sometimes called “soft skills” — such as customer service, interpersonal communication, résumé building and interviewing tips. So you’ll be ready to jump in when we find you a job or pair you with a paid on-the-job training experience. For those who want to earn more professional credentials, IT-Ready’s Alumni program provides free online training and testing vouchers for other CompTIA certifications (including Network+ and Security+). Think you have what it takes to make the move to an IT career? Learn more by visiting www.itready.com. Meantime, follow this blog on GIJobs.com as I share a series of six posts highlighting veterans who have graduated from IT-Ready and continued to exciting tech careers.
Self-reporting change in the scope/depth of skills gaps at organizations over past 2 years.
27%
20%
13%
6% Growing Significantly
Growing Moderately
No Change
Shrinking Moderately
Shrinking Significantly
[ 1% don't know, results not shown ]
TOP TECHNOLOGY JOBS AND SALARIES Information technology has more than 1 million jobs available, and the industry is known for paying people well for their work. Here are the top-paying jobs in IT.
$120,000
$82,280
IT Manager
Database Administrator
$119,480 Marketing Manager
$100,710 Computer Network Architect
$91,600
$79,770 Network and Computer Systems Administrator
$68,670 Web Developer
Information Security Analyst
$87,320 Computer Systems Analyst
$54,960 Computer Support Specialist
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupation Outlook Handbook
Charles Eaton leads three philanthropic endeavors for CompTIA, the world’s largest IT trade association: Executive Vice President of Social Innovation; CEO of Creating IT Futures; and, NextUp, the organization’s initiative to inspire young people to choose technology careers. The second edition of his book, How to Launch Your Teen’s Career in Technology: A Parent’s Guide to the T in STEM Education, in English and Spanish versions, was published in June 2018.
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SUCCESS STORIES JUNIOR ENLISTED
“The things outside of my MOS are things that have served me best in my career and life.”
RIGHT ON TRACK
Army skills help propel one-time tanker to top ranks of NASCAR.
AS A FIRST-TERMER, Tim Clark loved being in the Army. He loved being an armor crewman. He even enjoyed boot camp. ”Something clicked in the second week of basic training where I just understood what was happening.” He understood why the intense rigor, organization and discipline were important for the success of individual soldiers as well as for the Army as a whole, and he embraced it. It has always been Clark’s MO to “soak up” every experience as best he could, knowing that “there’s a learning or message or takeaway in anything that you do.”
BY STEPHANIE MONTAGUE
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It was this ability to see the bigger picture and to recognize the importance of basic life skills and personal attributes acquired in the military that helped propel Clark from an E-4 at Fort Riley to vice president of digital media at NASCAR. Tim Clark Vice President of Digital Media NASCAR Military Service: Specialist (E-4), Army (1993-1998) Age: 42 Education: Bachelor’s degree, marketing, Strayer University
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS Like so many others who enlist in the military after high school, Clark didn’t know what he wanted to be when he grew up. Somewhere during his four years as a soldier, he figured out that he was interested in marketing. When up for re-enlistment, Clark was at a crossroads. He briefly searched for marketing-related opportunities within the Army, but eventually he decided that if he were going to re-enlist, he would continue as an armor crewman. Despite the love for his job, he recognized that continuing in his current MOS wouldn’t be the best move for the long term: “I knew it was in conflict with my career interest of marketing and media.” Having made that decision, he transitioned to a civilian career. Clark credits the Army’s workshops on résumé-writing and interviewing — and a letter of recommendation from his company commander — with helping him land his first gig in marketing at a newspaper in Richmond, Va.
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SUCCESS IN THE CIVILIAN WORLD As Clark learned, it wasn’t the skills related to operating a tank, reading a map or planning armor offensive tactics that were most useful in his civilian career. “The things outside of my MOS are things that have served me best in my career and life,” he says. He mentions several competencies that may sound familiar from boot camp: “Being accountable and responsible and getting things done. The ability to have others depend on you and to build and maintain that trust.” As Clark points out, the importance of accountability, responsibility and dependability is not unique to the marketing and media industry or the sports world. Those qualities are “a fundamental part of any business or career.”
MAKING CONNECTIONS Also important in any industry is knowing how to connect with the right people. Clark’s connections helped him get a foot in the door on numerous occasions throughout his career, and once again, he credits his ability to network with skills he acquired in the Army: “The concepts of camaraderie and getting along with the people around you were big takeaways from my military experience.” Clark got into NASCAR the same way he found several other key positions in his career: relationship development. NASCAR was one of his clients at a digital media agency, where he was managing a team of marketing professionals after working his way up the chain in his industry. Based on his great work and the strong relationships he developed with his contacts at NASCAR, they offered him a position. It was “an incredible opportunity for someone who has always wanted to work in media and marketing and for someone who has always been a sports fan.”
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THE SPECIAL SAUCE The final ingredient in Clark’s recipe for career success also comes from his time in the Army: He learned how to stand out and make his strengths known to the people around him. He figured out what he could do differently or better than everyone else and made sure that his colleagues knew what he could bring to the table. In the corporate world, as in the military, you can’t count on someone else to pull you along; you have to be your own advocate. But Clark is quick to make a distinction. “There is a fine line between being an advocate and being self-promotional,” he says. Make sure you know the difference.
“The concepts of camaraderie and getting along with the people around you were big takeaways from my military experience.”
BREAKING INTO THE SPORTS WORLD Clark joined NASCAR after 14 years of building on the skills he acquired in the military while learning the ropes in the world of digital media. By the time he got the job offer, he had a lot of personal and professional expertise to offer in addition to his love for sports. For veterans looking to break into NASCAR or the sports world in general, Clark recommends making your “fandom” secondary to what you can do professionally. In your interview or cover letter, don’t overdo it on your enthusiasm for the sport or team. Instead, emphasize the skills, experience and new ideas you can bring to the organization. And don’t forget, you may have learned those things at boot camp.
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6 HOT INDUSTRIES FOR VETERANS These thriving industries are populated by Military Friendly® Employers that want to hire you. BY DAN FAZIO
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AS YOU GET READY TO GET OUT OF THE MILITARY, you might wonder which industries offer the softest landings for veterans. To help answer that question, we turned to the 2018 class of Military Friendly® Employers. We dug into the 237 employers to see which industries include the largest number of Military Friendly® Employers. Then we looked at government and private sector data to see which of those industries were growing in terms of adding jobs. The result? The 2018 Hot Industries for Veterans. On the following pages you’ll find six industries that are not only well-represented by Military Friendly® Employers, but are also growing. If you haven’t already set your career course, this is a great place to start your research. We included the top jobs for veterans in each industry, along with a snapshot of the top-ranked job.
1. * DEFENSE Page 19
2. ENERGY Page 20
3. FINANCIAL SERVICES Page 22
4. HEALTH CARE Page 23
5. MANUFACTURING Page 24
6. TRANSPORTATION Page 26
*These industries are not ranked and are listed in alphabetical order.
HOT INDUSTRY
1
DEFENSE
W
hile only 16 of the Military Friendly® Employers identify themselves as defense contractors, they more than most employers prefer to recruit America’s veterans. The reasons are obvious since many of them work closely with the military. “Veterans are the end users of many of our products – they are a fabulous and needed perspective to add to our design and development teams for military applications,” says Robert Edilson Sr., a public relations specialist at Rockwell Collins. Defense also offers lucrative private security contracting jobs overseas, which can include providing security for facilities, vessels, residences and project sites, escorting convoys, providing security to or training foreign military and police personnel. Such jobs typically
Occupation Snapshot: Aircraft/Aviation Technician What They Do: Aircraft and aviation technicians repair and perform scheduled maintenance on aircraft. Median Annual Salary:
$61,260 Job Outlook: 5% growth through 2026 Education/Training: Training and FAA certification Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
pay well, with the potential ranging from $100k to $250k for those with specialized expertise. If you prefer a civilian career that’s a little less hazardous, defense employers recruit veterans for jobs in IT, ship construction, research and development, intelligence, cyber security, aircraft manufacturing and maintenance, logistics and recruiting. Many veterans prefer to transition to defense jobs because they offer the opportunity to still be part of the team that supports the men and women of the U.S. military while leaving behind the facial hair guidelines.
Hot Jobs in Defense 1 Aircraft/Aviation Technician 2 Software Systems Developer 3 Computer Information System Manager 4 Computer Systems Analyst 5 Software Applications Developer 6 Computer Hardware Engineer 7 Cyber Security Analyst 8 Operations Manager 9 First-line Supervisor: Mechanics, Installers & Repairers 10 Welder The Hot Jobs list was determined by the 2018 Military Friendly® Employers operating in this industry.
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HOT INDUSTRY
2
ENERGY T
here are 21 Military Friendly® Employers from the 2018 class that belong in the energy industry. Approximately 6.4 million Americans are employed in this sector, but the workforce is aging. Energy employers are struggling to find qualified workers to replace the aging workforce. According to the 2018 U.S. Energy and Employment Report, 73 percent of surveyed employers reported difficulties hiring qualified workers throughout 2016, while 26 percent noted it was very difficult. The challenge is not new. In 2006 a consortium of electric, natural gas and nuclear utilities and their associations formed the Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD) to develop solutions to the looming workforce shortage. The nonprofit built a skilled workforce pipeline for the U.S. military through the Troops to Energy Jobs initiative, a website designed to help veterans make a successful transition to a rewarding career in the energy industry. In 2017, Veterans in Energy (VIE) formed to help support veterans already working in energy. “Although attracting and hiring veterans is important, finding ways to support them through the transition to civilian life and keeping them in their new jobs is equally critical,” says Ann Randazzo, executive director for the CEWD.
Occupation Snapshot: Electrician What They Do: Install, maintain and repair electrical wiring, equipment and fixtures while ensuring that work is in accordance with relevant codes. Median Annual Salary:
$52,720 Job Outlook: 9% growth through 2026 Education/Training: Technical or military training. Licensing varies by state. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Hot Jobs in Energy 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Electrician Cyber Security Analyst Nuclear Power Operator First-line Supervisor: Construction & Trade Workers Customer Service Representative Operations Manager Power Distributor/Dispatcher Automotive Technician/Mechanic Computer Systems Analyst First-line Supervisor: Mechanics, Installers & Repairers
The Hot Jobs list was determined by the 2018 Military Friendly® Employers operating in this industry.
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SUCCESS SPOTLIGHT: ENERGY
TRAINING UP
NCO climbs from meter reader to training supervisor at FirstEnergy*.
*Company is a paid client.
When were you hired by FirstEnergy? I was hired in November 2005 as a meter reader and worked my way up in the company. What you do at FirstEnergy now? I’m a supervisor for the department responsible for training associated with FirstEnergy’s 10 regulated utilities. Safety is a key priority for us and a few of the areas we cover are rescue and first aid training and safe operation of equipment, such as forklifts. I spend much of my time with management scheduling training, working to update or develop training, and meeting with employees. What’s the coolest thing about your civilian job? I work with great people every day. I have a leadership team that allows me to make decisions and work
independently. I also appreciate FirstEnergy’s dedication to safety. It has made me more safety conscious even when away from the job. What’s the biggest challenge? My biggest challenge is ensuring all the employees I’m responsible for have everything they need to perform at their highest levels. They work in different locations across the company and it’s not always possible to visit everyone in person. Best advice for transitioning service members? Take the transitioning program seriously when exiting the military. Make sure to work on your résumé and be patient while looking for a job. I’ve also had the chance to interview multiple individuals who recently left the military. Try to relax during the interview process – it is much less stressful than a military board interaction.
Matt Heinz Supervisor, Distribution Skills Training FirstEnergy, Akron, Ohio Military Service: Sergeant First Class (E-7), Army (1998-2000) Ohio National Guard (2001-Present); Afghanistan: 2011-2012 MOS: Infantryman (11B)/ Technical Engineer (12T) Age: 37 Education: Bachelor’s degree, secondary education (mathematics), University of Akron, 2009
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HOT INDUSTRY
3
FINANCIAL SERVICES
S
econd only to health care in numbers, 23 of the 2018 Military Friendly® Employers can be found in financial services and banking. Government data suggests this is a good industry for veterans to invest in. Employment of business and financial operations occupations is expected to grow 10 percent through 2026 – faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Moreover, the median annual wage for business and financial occupations was $67,710 in May 2017 – higher than the median wage for all occupations of $37,690. Jobs in this sector include ones that fit the stereotype: accountants, budget analysts, financial examiners and
Occupation Snapshot: Accountant/Auditor What They Do: Accountants and auditors prepare and examine financial records. They ensure that financial records are accurate and that taxes are paid properly and on time. Accountants and auditors assess financial operations and work to help ensure that organizations run efficiently. Median Annual Salary:
$69,350 Job Outlook: 10% growth through 2026 Education/Training: Bachelor’s degree Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
insurance underwriters. But like most industries, there’s a need for a variety of professionals in less-thanobvious career fields such as IT, cyber security, human resources, sales and training specialists. “Based on my own transition from the post9/11 military into the financial services sector, I am confident that other veterans can and should consider this sector for employment post-military,” says John Tien, a retired Army colonel now serving as a managing director in Citi Retail Services. “Financial services is a sector that has a broad and deep range of opportunities both in terms of substance and geography. At Citi, we employ U.S. military veterans in every one of our major operations centers, and they are thriving.”
Hot Jobs in Financial Services 1 Accountant/Auditor 2 Computer Information System Manager 3 Customer Service Representative 4 Software Applications Developer 5 First-line Supervisor: Office & Administrative Workers 6 Software Systems Developer 7 Operations Manager 8 Cyber Security Analyst 9 Personal Financial Advisor 10 Web Developer
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The Hot Jobs list was determined by the 2018 Military Friendly® Employers operating in this industry.
HOT INDUSTRY
4
HEALTH CARE
T
here are 25 Military Friendly® Employers from the class of 2018 operating in health care services or pharmaceuticals. That means one of every 10 Military Friendly® Employers is categorized in this industry. That’s reason enough to consider pursuing a career path in health care. But there are plenty of other reasons to get into the hottest industry in the U.S. Job security, for one. Six of the top 10 fastest-growing industries listed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) are in health care, as well as five of the 10 fastestgrowing occupations. An estimated 2.4 million new jobs will be added by 2026, the BLS predicts, which translates to job security and the ability to choose the region where you want to work and live. Pay is another reason. The median annual wage for health care practitioners and technical occupations such as registered nurses, physicians and surgeons, and dental hygienists was $64,770 in May 2017. Given the aging population, the high demand for health care professionals is unlikely to change any time soon. By 2030, all baby boomers will be older than age 65, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. “The aging of baby boomers means that within just a couple decades, older people are projected to outnumber children for the first time in U.S. history,” said Jonathan Vespa, a demographer with the U.S. Census Bureau. “By 2035, there will be 78 million people 65 years and older compared to 76.4 million under the age of 18.”
Occupation Snapshot: RN What They Do: Registered nurses provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their families. Median Annual Salary:
$68,450 Job Outlook: 15% growth through 2026 Education/Training: Diploma or bachelor’s degree; must be licensed Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Hot Jobs in Health Care 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Registered Nurse Medical & Health Services Manager Nurse Practitioner Biomedical Technician Customer Service Representative Accountant/Auditor Operations Manager Computer Information System Manager Medical Assistant The Hot Jobs list was determined by the 2018 Military Friendly Medical & Nursing Secretary Employers operating in this industry. ®
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Hot Jobs in Manufacturing 1 Operations Manager 2 First-line Supervisor: Mechanics, Installers & Repairers
HOT INDUSTRY
5
MANUFACTURING
T
here are 21 Military Friendly® Employers in manufacturing. While this industry may not be experiencing explosive growth, manufacturing is still making slow and steady employment gains. The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) reported that manufacturers have increased employment by an average of nearly 19,000 per month since the end of 2016. Since the end of the Great Recession, manufacturing employment has risen by 1.1 million workers, with 12.6 million employees in March – the highest level of manufacturing employment since December 2008. Recent tax reforms are predicted to have a positive impact on the industry as well. Chad Moutray, chief economist for the NAM, testified before the congressional Joint Economic Committee in April 2018 that recent tax reforms would accelerate GDP and job growth. “Based on my estimates, tax reform should lead to
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Occupation Snapshot: Operations Manager What They Do: Plan, direct or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, including creating policies, managing daily operations, planning material needs, overseeing human resources, and performing general administrative duties. Median Annual Salary:
$99,310 Job Outlook: 9% growth through 2026 Education/Training: Bachelor’s degree Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
G.I. JOBS | JULY 2018 | GIJOBS.COM
3 Electrician a $55 billion increase in private investment in fixed assets in manufacturing in 2018,” Moutray testified. “That would represent an 11 percent increase over 2017 levels, with manufacturing employment rising by more than 100,000 as a result.” Manufacturing employers struggle to find qualified workers, says Becky Frankiewicz, president of ManpowerGroup North America, which released an employment outlook survey in December. “We’re seeing a renaissance in industries like … manufacturing in the U.S. These are not jobs of the past; many are highly skilled roles that will build America’s future. Strong hiring intentions tell us employers have positions to fill, yet we know they’re struggling to find people with the right skills to fill them.” The 21 Military Friendly® Employers in manufacturing have a proven track record of recruiting, hiring and retaining America’s veterans.
4 Welder 5 CNC Operator 6 Software Applications Developer 7 Sales Account Representative 8 Chemical Engineer 9 Aircraft/Aviation Technician 10 Human Resources Manager The Hot Jobs list was determined by the 2018 Military Friendly® Employers operating in this industry.
SUCCESS SPOTLIGHT: MANUFACTURING
ON THE FAST TRACK WITH HYUNDAI’S VET PROGRAM BY COREY WYLDE
Platinum Master Sean Easton builds a short block at Peacock Hyundai of Savannah.
WHEN SEAN EASTON STARTED out from his hometown of Duke Center, Pa., he wasn’t sure where his Army career as a wheeled vehicle mechanic (91B) would take him. After four tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, he settled in at Fort Stewart in Georgia. While waiting for a medical discharge, Easton contemplated what was next after military life. He learned about a local job fair online and there he met Robert Kortje, who heads up Hyundai Motor America’s Veteran Employment Transition program (VET).
Kortje was attending the on-base job fair with a representative from nearby Peacock Hyundai of Savannah. As they talked it became clear to Easton that with the right training, he could have a job waiting for him upon his separation. He shared his thoughts with Kortje and Hyundai’s VET program went into action on Easton’s behalf.
Kortje registered Easton into the Hyundai Learning Portal (HLP) and enrolled him in the instructor-led Technician Orientation class. In the meantime, with access to HLP Easton took advantage of all the online courses he could. In fact, by the time he walked into Peacock Hyundai of Savannah to follow up on a potential job, Easton was Bronze Level and had completed all courses required to transfer to the new Hyundai Service Technician designation. In addition, he also had most of the courses needed to pursue Certified Technician status. When Peacock Service Manager Dan Cook saw Easton’s drive, motivation, training and certification it was a matter of filling out the employment paperwork. Another successful transition was underway. Easton describes the help the VET program offered. “What you guys are doing is excellent,” he said. “Now that I am in the industry I can see the value of bringing military education and training into a shop.” He added that there are many similarities between shop or parts policies and proce-
dures within the military environment. Easton offered insight as a transitioning veteran. “There are many unknowns at the end of your duty. Having someone there who shows interest in your abilities eases the impact of some of the unknowns.” Robert Kortje and Dan Cook filled that role for Sean. It has been almost three years since Easton joined Hyundai. Thanks to his accelerated start through the VET program, he just recently attained Platinum Master Technician status. The VET program let him show his desire to advance and actually compress the time required to reach full certification. More than a uniform patch, Easton desired to add information that could help him in the workplace. “The instructors have all been to National Skills or World Skills. Their experience and training can be put to good use,” he said. With so many openings at shops in the industry, the military offers a source of new talent. Hyundai’s VET program and HyundaiCareers.com provide a gateway for transition to veterans.
“Now that I am in the industry I can see the value of bringing military education and training into a shop.”
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HOT INDUSTRY
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TRANSPORTATION
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hether or not your military training and experience included driving a heavy vehicle, there has never been a better time to get into the trucking industry. Due to a growing shortage of drivers, trucking employers are increasing pay and benefits to attract and retain drivers, according to a survey conducted by the American Trucking Associations (ATA). “This latest survey, which includes data from more than 100,000 drivers, shows that fleets are reacting to an increasingly tight market for drivers by boosting pay, improving benefit packages and offering other enticements to recruit and retain safe and experienced drivers,” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. The median salary for a driver working a national, irregular route was more than $53,000, up $7,000 or 15 percent. The median salary for a private fleet driver is $86,000, up 18 percent or $13,000. “Our survey told us that carriers are offering thousands of dollars in bonuses to attract new drivers,” Costello said. “And once drivers are in the door, fleets are offering benefits like paid leave, health insurance and 401(k)s to keep them.” With 21 of the 2018 Military Friendly® Employers operating in trucking and transportation, there are ample opportunities for America’s veterans in other sectors such as the railroads. Freight rail employee compensation, including benefits, averages approximately $120,000 per year, among the highest of any major U.S. industry, according to the Association of American Railroads.
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G.I. JOBS | JULY 2018 | GIJOBS.COM
Occupation Snapshot: CDL Driver What They Do: Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers transport goods from one location to another. Most tractor-trailer drivers are long-haul drivers and operate trucks with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) capacity—that is, the combined weight of the vehicle, passengers, and cargo— exceeding 26,000 pounds. These drivers deliver goods over intercity routes, sometimes spanning several states. Median Annual Salary:
$42,480 Job Outlook: 6% growth through 2026 Education/Training: Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Hot Jobs in Transportation 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
CDL Driver & Operator Operations Manager Diesel Engine Specialist Customer Service Representative First-line Supervisor: Mechanics, Installers & Repairers First-line Supervisor: Office & Administrative Workers First-line Supervisor: Transportation, Material-Moving Machine & Vehicle Operators 8 Sales Account Representative 9 Commercial Driver 10 Automotive Technician/Mechanic The Hot Jobs list was determined by the 2018 Military Friendly® Employers operating in this industry.
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INDUSTRY INTEL
WHOLESALE TRADE
ALL ABOUT WHOLESALE Veterans work in every industry, including wholesale trade. But what is it? BY DAN SWANSON
IF YOU’RE A VETERAN LOOKING FOR EMPLOYERS who will surely appreciate your military experience, the wholesale industry is worth a look. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 6 million people worked in the U.S. wholesale sector in April 2018, an industry that racked up $5.3 trillion in sales in 2016 and accounted for 5.9 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). YEAH, BUT WHAT IS WHOLESALE TRADE? Simply put, wholesale traders are companies that buy products from manufacturers and then sell them at low prices to retail stores or other wholesalers. There are different kinds of wholesalers, but merchant wholesalers are the most common. They buy the product, store it and then sell it to other businesses or consumers. The vast majority of these companies are small businesses that employ 20 people or less. The wholesale trade industry touches every product that consumers use daily. These days, wholesalers market to their customers by telephone, in-person marketing, and more increasingly through targeted paid media ads. Repeat customers are the bread and butter of this industry, so consistently bringing in quality customers is key. Like most any business, the end goal is to get product to consumers, and make a dollar or two along the way. HOW DO WHOLESALERS MAKE A BUCK? The basic premise of wholesaling is buy low, sell high. A great example is agriculture byproducts (aka food), where wholesalers will buy direct from farmers for a bulk price, and then sell to retail stores for a higher price. This helps the farmers, as they’re able to move large quantities of
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their product in one deal, while the wholesaler has the opportunity to make a profit. The system is as old as time itself. Consumers get access to the goods they otherwise wouldn’t be able to purchase directly from the producers, and the wholesalers take their reasonable cut for the connection. It’s worth noting that a recent push to utilize RFID (Radio-Frequency
Identification) and other technologies in the space means that your technological military backgrounds are highly valuable. A REAL LIFE EXAMPLE George Davis, Army veteran and business development manager at Buffalo Supply Inc., connects manufacturers of medical supplies and equipment to the federal marketplace. Davis located
ARE THERE CERTAIN JOBS THAT STAND OUT IN THIS INDUSTRY? Like most industries, there are a wide variety of positions that are needed: 1. Office and administrative support positions 2. Sales associates 3. Transportation and material movers 4. Finance and accounting 5. Computer and technology careers
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the company through LinkedIn, and believes his hiring was a direct result of his government background. “Our company holds the government contracts for companies to get their medical device products into the DoD and VA health care systems,” he said. “We do not physically have products — the products are shipped from the manufacturers.” According to Davis, he’s focused on expos, national sales meetings and visits to other medical device companies to build business relationships, as well as attending trade shows with vendors and advertise to government buyers and end users. Davis’ job is centered on facilitating federal contracts and overseeing compliance, something that Buffalo Supply specializes in.
HOW CAN I GET HIRED? If there was ever an industry for self-starters with people skills, it’s the wholesale sector. According to a recent report by the U.S. Small Business Administration, wholesale trade is one of the single largest industry groups in terms of sales for both U.S. firms (nonveteran) and veteran-owned firms (21% of all-sector sales). “Civilian companies are looking for candidates who can relate to customer needs, speak and write well and are not afraid to keep going despite setbacks,” Davis said. “I did find that many companies are looking for a cultural fit ... I was able to convince the company that I was not rigid, cold and that I would not walk around barking orders.”
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THIS VETERAN FOUND AN AMAZING CAREER IN WHOLESALE TRADE
LIEUTENANT COLONEL
GEORGE DAVIS Business Development Manager, Buffalo Supply Inc.
What does your employer do? Buffalo Supply Inc. connects high-quality manufacturers of medical supplies and equipment to the federal marketplace. With over 30 years of experience, our team is committed to bringing value to both federal agencies and our supplier partners through professional contract management, customer service and market expertise. What makes Buffalo Supply unique? We hold federal government contracts and oversee compliance. Many companies do not want to navigate the contracting process with the U.S. government. We specialize in this business space. What do you do at the company? I spend most of my time researching potential sales and reviewing government bid boards. We attend numerous conferences every year, ensuring we remain knowledgeable in our marketplace, see our competitors products and continue to find new products to bring forward. Our biggest customers are the Department of Defense and the Veterans Health Administration.
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Military Service: Specialist (E-4), Army (1989-1992) MOS: Armor Crewman (19K), Desert Shield/Storm Military Service II: Lieutenant Colonel (O-5), Army (1996-2015) MOS: OH-58D and AH64D Pilot (15A)
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GET HIRED
OPPORTUNITY INDEX
GET HIREDâ„¢ INDEX These employers and schools are advertising in this issue and want to hear from you. Contact them today. COMPANY
PAGE
AECOM 7 www.aecom.com/careers -------------------------------------Aetna 3 www.aetna-veterans.jobs -------------------------------------Allstate 35 www.allstateveterans.com -------------------------------------BNSF Railway 36 www.bnsf.com/careers -------------------------------------Deloitte 5 http://military-veteran-jobs.deloitte.com -------------------------------------Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey 15 http://careers.horizonblue.com -------------------------------------Novartis 15 www.pharma.us.novartis.com -------------------------------------Oracle 17 www.oracle.com/careers -------------------------------------Penske 27 www.moveforward.penske.jobs -------------------------------------
Roehl Transport 33 www.roehlrefer.me/gijobs2 -------------------------------------Silgan Containers 2 www.silgancontainers.com/careers -------------------------------------Sundt Construction 27 www.sundt.com/careers -------------------------------------Travelers 29 https://careers.travelers.com/military -------------------------------------United Rentals 17 (800) UR-RENTS www.unitedrentals.com/military -------------------------------------Verizon 11 www.verizon.com/military -------------------------------------Vinnell Arabia 33 www.vinnellarabia.com -------------------------------------Windstream 29 www.windstreamtalent.com --------------------------------------
GET EDUCATED Drexel University Online 31 www.online.drexel.edu/gijobs -------------------------------------International Sports Sciences Association 33 (800) 892-4772 www.issaonline.edu/military -------------------------------------Ohio Christian University 33 (855) OCU-GRAD www.ohiochristian.edu/military -------------------------------------Stratford University 13 www.stratford.edu -------------------------------------University of Rhode Island 34 (401) 277-5212 ebozzi@uri.edu www.uri.edu/ceps -------------------------------------All institutions listed here are paid advertisers in this issue.
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