Find Your Calling: Career Transition Principles for Returning Veterans

The most important thing that we have learned working with veterans in transition is that if you do not think critically about who you are as a person, what you value, what your ambitions are, and discuss these things with your tribe, you will not be able to perform the basic skills of your career search very well, like resume writing and interviewing.

This course focuses first on identifying the character strengths that veterans need to exhibit in order to make a successful career transition. As we explored the latest research and best practices in career transitions, we discovered that the most effective strategies are similar for all people seeking to change careers, not just veterans.

These similarities transcend generations. There was a book written in 1945 called Good-Bye to G.I. that provided career transition advice to returning WWII veterans. We also read Marcus Aurelius’ personal writings called Meditations and explored the formation of character through Greek and Roman teachings. We found direct similarities between the virtues that Aurelius wrote about and the behaviors that veterans need to exhibit today to make a successful transition.

Each character strength has the Latin and English translation. This emphasizes that these are timeless principles that have guided dozens of generations to live purpose driven lives. The character strengths are:

• Pietas (Citizenship)
• Prudentia (Critical Thinking)
• Veritas (Authenticity)
• Gravitas (Passion)
• Humanitas (Choice and Creativity)
• Nosce Te Ipsum (Emotional Intelligence)

The curriculum does not need to be completed from start to finish. The material can be used continuously to reflect upon as you progress in your transition. The character strengths are blended together and not independent of one another.

Each lesson has four sections: getting started, core concepts, action items, and wrapping up. There is a digital workbook that you can download that provides space to take notes and then reflect upon them later.

Also, added throughout are:

• polls so you can see where you stand in relation to other students;
• discussion threads so that other students can learn from your input and experiences;
• feedback surveys so that we can continue to refine and improve the curriculum;
• and voices from real life industry experts and veterans in transition.

We hope you find this course meaningful and we look forward to working with you as you transition into a new phase of your life.