As someone who joined the military right after high school, I can say that it was one of the best decisions I ever made. My nearly perfect score on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Test (ASVAB) qualified me for three positions, and I ended up taking the one that required a top-secret/SCI security clearance – as a Record Telecommunications Center Operator. Little did I know at the time that it was the precursor to what we now know as a secure internet.
But my military experience was about so much more than just technical skills. It taught me discipline, teamwork, and leadership. These skills have been invaluable to me throughout my career. When I left the military, I had the opportunity to work my way up in a Fortune 500 company. I got my bachelor’s and then my MBA while working full-time.
But it wasn’t until I got that break that I really had the opportunity to showcase my leadership potential and get promoted to new positions. All of the positions I held at that company were new ones created specifically for me. I was able to become a trailblazer of sorts. And I couldn’t have done it alone. I needed those breaks and opportunities as well as mentors along the way.
If I hadn’t had that military experience, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I wouldn’t have been able to get those positions, and I certainly wouldn’t have been able to recruit the talented people that I have at Worldwide Clinical Trials today. When I joined Worldwide nine years ago, IT wasn’t yet the success that it is now. But with my military background and the skills I learned there, I was able to help make it what it is today, while also setting a strategy for the future.
So to all the young people out there considering joining the military, I can’t recommend it enough. It will give you skills and experiences that will set you up for success throughout your life. And to all the hiring managers out there, don’t overlook the value of a military background when looking for new talent. It’s often the key to unlocking someone’s true potential, and the skills people gain through military experience are absolutely transferable.
