ACP Mentorship Success Story; Translating Military Skills to the Civilian Workforce

One of the most daunting challenges Veterans face when leaving the military is understanding, and explaining to employers, how their experience in service translates to the civilian workforce. As US Navy Veteran Marissa Carbajal found, working one-on-one with someone who’s been in your shoes is one of the best ways to gain confidence in your own value.

Carbajal, an Electrician’s Mate who served for eight years aboard ship and as a recruiter, wanted to continue using her technical expertise outside of the Navy. “I was so lost when I got out, and uncertain of how to even start the job hunting process,” Carbajal says. Hoping to learn better ways to market herself and find promising job opportunities, she signed up for an American Corporate Partners mentorship a few months out from her final separation date. 

Carbajal found a great guide in Tim Host, a US Army Veteran and Systems Team Leader with

Johnson Controls (JCI). A longtime ACP Mentor, Host describes the military-to-civilian transition as daunting, “often accompanied by uncertainty and anxiety.” For Veterans, Host says, a Mentor can act as “a trusted advisor who can offer guidance, support, and reassurance.”

After eight years in uniform, Carbajal wasn’t sure how her experience would stack up against her peers with degrees and corporate experience. “Tim helped me to break down my skills and really use them to show employers how I could really contribute to their business,” says Carbajal. “After he helped me to get my resume right and [removed] the military lingo… employers started calling for interviews left and right.”

While the mentorship helped Carbajal capitalize on her technical expertise, she also gained confidence in other realms. Before working with Host, she says, “I never really thought about my other skills… like leadership, organizational skills, [or] time management.” In their monthly meetings, the pair identified Carbajal’s holistic strengths and workshopped the best ways to synthesize her experience into a strong application package. 

Carbajal, who moved from Florida to Seattle during the mentorship, was able to secure an Electrician position with Delta Marine and hit the ground running in her new location. She says that Host’s empathy, encouragement, and practical advice kept her focused throughout the chaos of moving and job-searching, and she encourages other separating Veterans to connect with a Mentor. 

“Even if you feel like you have everything figured out,” she says,  “once you get out [of the military], it may all change in an instant.” That’s where having a second set of eyes on your future plans is tremendously helpful. Host adds that a Mentor can help Proteges identify and address any blind spots or gaps in their experience in order to maximize their chances of success, and notes that ACP supports Proteges with additional resources, webinars, and networking opportunities.

Host describes his mentoring experience as rewarding on multiple levels. “It's been a privilege to support [Carbajal’s] journey and witness her growth and success,” says Host. “[Becoming a Mentor] has sharpened my leadership and communication skills, as guiding someone through such a significant transition requires clear, empathetic, and effective communication.” 

If you are a service member or Veteran with at least six months of post-9/11 service, don’t pass up your chance to work with a dedicated Mentor for a full year at no cost. Your future self will thank you!