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Gi biLL - Successful

Transitioning Stories

By Dr. Julie Ducharme Synergy Learning Institute

As the president of Synergy Learning Institute, a nonprofit vocational college, I am blessed to work with our transitioning veterans. We serve many students looking for professional development and key skillsets necessary for everything from career transition to work/life balance.

I am most excited to share our latest in a new series of interviews spotlighting each one of our successful veterans that have transitioned out of the military. Our audience is captivated by each veteran’s unique story, but it is truly wonderful to see the underlying themes emerging from their success within the entire speaker series itself. Today, I will be sharing with you the

success story of Randy Rozzell, retired Navy Seal:

Randy what are some key tips you can give us on how you made sure your transition from the Navy Seals was most successful?

1. “I will always be a Seal that was a very important part of my life that I am very proud of but don’t assume you are special or deserve special treatment because you were in the military. You have to work just as hard in your transition and new job as you would the military”. 2. “When you decide to get out you want to start planning this early. I started planning well over a year out. I did lots of research to see what industry I wanted to go into. I started taking classes before I was out. Applying and studying for the test and practicing interviews all before I was out and I started my second career the next day after I left. It may sound like a lot of work but it’s worth it.” 3. “Networking is so important! When you find the industry, you want to go into start networking. For me it was fire, so I started visiting fire stations, practicing interviews, building those relationships before I ever interviewed for those jobs.”

4. “For some reason there is this myth that companies will be lining up to hire vets because they are mission focused and good team workers. That is far from the truth I have heard many stories of vets who went an entire year without jobs, if you want to get hired you have to put in the work, don’t rely on your vet status to get you the job.”

Randy, should Vets take advantage of their GI Bill?

“Absolutely, you can get paid to go to school where you get a housing allowance and as well school paid for. This is a great opportunity I have taken advantage of mine as I am finishing up my Masters.” Randy, besides being a Firefighter, you are also an entrepreneur, any tips on Vets thinking of going out on their own and starting a business?

“I started my business while working as a Firefighter, so I didn’t have to rely on that income and that allowed me to build my business without pressure. IF starting your own business make sure to evaluate where you are financially. Where is the money coming in from? The last thing you want to do is start a business and have no income coming in.”

Randy, any pitfalls you want to share from starting your business that should be avoided.?

“Yes, make sure you have the contract signed, in hand and the money is in. I made the mistake of thinking I had a contract and then spending $20,000 dollars on equipment and now its in storage and its been 3 years and this contract has not come through. So make sure not to jump the gun on those types of deals.”

It is my pleasure to host these amazing veterans from all different branches of the Armed Forces. Please continue to join us for more amazing men and women as they share their journey of navigation from military to civilian work life balance.

If you are interested in being a part of the Synergy Learning Institute Veteran Speaker Series, please go to our website www.synergylearninginstitute.org or email us directly synergylearninginstitute@gmail.com

GI Bill benefits help you pay for college, graduate school, and training programs. Since 1944, the GI Bill has helped qualifying Veterans and their family members get money to cover all or some of the costs for school or training.

Learn more about GI Bill benefits below—and how to apply for them.

www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits

The Post-9/11 GI Bill is a generous education benefit for the latest generation of service members and veterans.