British Military Veteran and MBA transitioning to USA in March 2016
Hello Gentlemen and/or Gentlechimps,
Having just joined WSO I thought it wise to introduce myself, and outline my aims and aspirations for joining your group.
I am a UK citizen, and a veteran of 17 years service in the British Army as an Infantry Officer. After graduating from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst I have been fortunate to have served on multiple operational tours in Kosovo, Iraq, Sierra Leone and Afghanistan working alongside the brightest and best servicemen from my own nation as well as the USA, Denmark, Holland, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
Having tested my leadership and capabilities in some pretty extreme situations in the military, I am now beginning the equally challenging task of transitioning to civilian life. My wife is a US citizen, and we aim to move our family to Atlanta, GE, in March 2016. I have recently received my MBA, with Distinction, and also hold an MA in International Relations, and an MSc in Leadership and Management, and have qualified as both a Project and Program Manager. I have also been lucky enough to be awarded an MBE (Member of the British Empire) award from HM Queen Elizabeth II for service on operations in Afghanistan, planning multi-national SF operations.
But.....I now face the challenge of translating these academic qualifications, and military experience, into job opportunities in the demanding financial sector in the USA, or alternatively within the world of Management Consultancy....
I would be very grateful if any member of WSO were able to offer any advice, networking support or other encouragement as I make this major transition.
Simon Doyle
Hi Simon,
There are a tonne of Veteran's who work in the city. Try and leverage those networks (they are picking up real momentum).
Additionally, the financial services mostly have independent routes for ex-service personnel.
Perhaps the best bet would be too target a general area of finance that doesn't require a specialist skill set.
I'm also spent four years in the Army and served on Herrick - It's a good background and will serve you extremely well.
Happy to help further if needed.
Thanks for the offer of help - greatly appreciated. Any help in identifying network contacts would be grand. I have some ins with Goldman Sachs that I am pursuing to build knowledge, and have seen some of the military specific entry programmes too from GS as well as Morgan Stanley. I have also sought contact within Deloitte USA. Do you think networking in London would have much impact seeking work in the USA? I have the complication of launching resettlement from Germany...
Simon,
I'm guessing you're about 37 and that you were a Major. Is that accurate?
The civi workplace will undoubtedly be frustrating for you at first - you'll have had boatloads more responsibility and leadership experience than your peers, but few will understand or value your experience. I think you'll have more luck in management consulting than you would in finance. I think your skills and knowledge would be exceptionally useful on operations, HR and public policy type mandates.
May I ask where you did your MBA? Feel free to be vague about it.
Double Doubler, Quite right with your estimation - I'm 38 and a Major. Top marks! MBA studied while serving via Northampton, not top 10 business school, but my MSc is from Cranfield School of Leadership and Management, which is very well regarded, and the MA is from Kings. Definitely pursuing both Finance and Management Consulting at the moment to keep options open. From some of the forums on WSO it would seem Private Wealth Management may be more open to a mature entrant, although it does seem to incur significant risk to earnings if you can't generate a book quickly. My qualifications do seem to fit Management Consultancy. I would be very interested in the reality of the travel / work life balance of that industry vs Finance posts, at the experienced hire level. Thanks for taking the time to answer - greatly appreciated. Would you mind saying whether you are UK or US based? Simon
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