Wondering what field you should go into once you retire from the military? Maybe you have heard great things about a career in Information Technology (IT) and you are considering going into the IT field once you leave the service? Today’s guest on The Morning Formation Podcast is Mario Simon. Mario shares his advice for transitioning service members who want to start a career in this industry.
KP’s guest, Mario Simon, is a US Army Veteran who now works as an Information Technology Security Specialist. Mario has a Master degree in Business, a Master degree in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance, as well as a long list of other certifications.
In the interview, Mario shares how he planned well in advance, before he transitioned out of the military. This planning helped him to avoid pitfalls that many transitioning members experience when retiring from the service. Mario explains that after benefitting from the many resources from the military nonprofit, Act Now Education, he decided to join the organization and become a volunteer himself. He has been a part of Act Now Education for almost two years, offering his time and expertise to help the nonprofit continue to serve more people. Mario believes the IT field can be a great option for those transitioning out of the military, and shares some pieces of advice that one should take into consideration before making this move. Mario explains the difference between obtaining a degree versus obtaining certifications, when going into the IT industry. He also shares the obstacles he faced when transitioning out of the military and into his first IT role in the civilian world. Finally, Mario describes the leadership skills he has taken from the military into his current professional role.
To hear Mario’s advice for those making the transition into the IT field, make sure to listen to the whole episode!
Click here for the full interview.
Blog post written by Lina Gomez
