Blazing a Trail

Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, “Do not go where there is a path, go instead where there is no path and blaze a trail.”

Oftentimes, the easiest way forward is along an already established path. For many unemployed veterans, it’s the path created by their past military experience and training that is the most established. Medics or corpsmen become EMTs. Military police become civilian law enforcement officers. Infantrymen become flight attendants or morticians. At least for this infantryman, that’s what the MOS translator said I should do. And, if I had done so, I would have been blazing a completely new trail than the one I am on today.

But, sometimes that is what we need to do. For many combat arms soldiers and marines, the leadership skills, the confidence and discipline, and the experience do not easily translate into a civilian career. We have to explore new paths to create a career after serving. For many, this involves using the GI Bill, going to school, and getting an education. For others, it’s about learning a new trade or skill at a technical institution. And for some, trail blazing requires hours of writing and re-writing a resume to fit the job description attached to a career that we know would be a perfect fit, but for which we just don’t have all the blocks checked.

At Veterans Green Jobs, checking all the blocks is what we do. We help translate those soft skills into something an employer would appreciate. We’ll work with you to refine your resume for the job you want. We’ll even help you discover or narrow down which green career options could be a good fit for you. We’ll help you get started on that new path and blaze a trail. Call one of our counselors and get started today.

– John Toth, Veterans Green Jobs