You served your country well in the military and now you’re a civilian again. You’re preparing your resume and cover letter, and you’re trying to figure out which careers would be the best for utilizing the skills you gained while in the military. Since the military has numerous types of jobs, you’ll need to find employment that is similar to those jobs. At the same time, it’s okay to look for work that is not at all related to what you did in the past. You might need to return to school or get certification if you plan to start a different career altogether. Get help from your former supervisors and coworkers in the military and also visit your local workforce center for assistance.

Law Enforcement Careers

This is a great choice because in the military you probably had to do work that involved security and your knowledge of security issues and solutions would work well for this transition. Start by becoming a police officer and then you can advance to other law enforcement jobs such as detective, police department superintendent, private investigator or for the FBI. To become a police officer you’ll need a high school diploma and then you’ll complete physical and psychological testing as well as training.

Government Jobs

If you like the idea of being a public servant, then government jobs are right for you. If you enjoy outdoor life, consider working for the U.S. Forest Service. The goal of this agency is to protect and conduct research about the country’s national parks and there are also engineers who work for the agency. If you are interested in improving the education system, you can get an administrative position at the city school district or for your state department of education. If you have a medical background in the military, you can work for your state as a health inspector or for the department of social services as an investigator of child abuse cases.

Youth Counselor

Because you understand the importance of self-discipline and confidence from your experiences in the military, you can become a youth counselor for a local nonprofit organization, homeless shelter, correctional center or mental health facility for troubled teens. An increasing number of teens are growing up in broken homes and this leads to poor choices that result in crime, teenage pregnancy, and hopelessness and in some cases suicide. You can counsel troubled teens and help them rebuild their lives in new ways. This is especially a great job if you grew up in a broken home yourself but overcame the odds.

In conclusion, former military members are useful for diverse civilian jobs and businesses should increase their recruiting efforts so that these members can make an easier transition into civilian life. In addition, more should be done to assist disabled veterans since they often struggle to find employment and end up in dire situations such as homelessness. If you’re a former military member, it is possible for you to find your dream career with patience, confidence and help from others.