Navigating the Shift: Amanda’s Veteran Journey

What inspired you to serve in the military, and how has your service shaped the person you are today?

My call to service had been building for a while and was shaped by several influences. Both of my grandfathers served—one in the Marine Corps and one in the Navy—and they were incredibly proud of their time in uniform. In high school, I joined JROTC and really enjoyed it. Although I didn’t enlist right away, choosing instead to attend university, I eventually lost my scholarship due to some poor decisions. After a few years of working full-time in a restaurant and taking community college courses part-time, I realized I needed a new path if I wanted to finish my education. That’s when I began speaking with local recruiters and ultimately decided to join the Navy. My six years of service turned out to be an amazing experience and being a Veteran remains one of my proudest accomplishments.

What would you tell transitioning service members about building confidence in their abilities to succeed in a civilian role?

My call to service had been building for a while and was shaped by several influences. Both of my grandfathers served—one in the Marine Corps and one in the Navy—and they were incredibly proud of their time in uniform. In high school, I joined JROTC and really enjoyed it. Although I didn’t enlist right away, choosing instead to attend university, I eventually lost my scholarship due to some poor decisions. After a few years of working full-time in a restaurant and taking community college courses part-time, I realized I needed a new path if I wanted to finish my education. That’s when I began speaking with local recruiters and ultimately decided to join the Navy. My six years of service turned out to be an amazing experience and being a Veteran remains one of my proudest accomplishments.

What would you tell transitioning service members about building confidence in their abilities to succeed in a civilian role?

Remember to use your voice and advocate for yourself. Confidence is essential to standing out in any situation, regardless of your specific skills or experience. One practical way to build that confidence is by practicing a 30- to 60-second elevator pitch. Say it out loud in front of a mirror or rehearse with someone you trust who can give you honest, constructive feedback.

How did you decide what career path to pursue after leaving the military?

My post-military career chose me more than me choosing it! In the Navy, I was an Intelligence Analyst which is a very lucrative and exciting field but unfortunately, I struggled to find work for almost a year after I separated. My resume was posted just about everywhere and one day I got an email from a small company that was looking for a subject matter expert in maritime operations to assist with an opportunity they were pursuing. They asked me to come in for an interview to see if I might be able to provide them with consultation on the effort and we hit it off so well that they ended up offering me a full time position the same day! I knew absolutely nothing about government contracting, business development or proposals but I got to work and started to learn the ropes. Fast forward 17 years and I’ve worked in BD/proposals for companies large and small with a broad range of focus areas.

How does GovCIO’s mission of transformation and innovation align with the work you performed during your military career?

Although it’s been a while since my active-duty career, my role focused on identifying potential threats and protecting national security- work that required the best personnel, training and tools. I see that same commitment reflected at GovCIO. The company prioritizes employee development through a breadth of training and certifications, while continuously enhancing the tools and technologies we use and deliver to our customers.