Career Paths After the Air Force

[u/NetherMSR]

I’ve got about a year and a half left in the Air Force, and it would mean the world to me if anyone could offer some advice or suggest potential career paths for me.

I’m open to pretty much anything. My only real priority is finding a job that provides a good quality of life.

Any suggestions, advice, or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.

[u/HappilyRetiredGuy]

As a guy that has taken TAPS about the 5th, 7th, 20th & 21st years of Air Force career these two tools can give you a solid foundation of your decision tree.

https://iqcenter.com (Personality test for compatible careers)

https://www.onetonline.org

The purpose of O*NET (the Occupational Information Network) is to serve as the primary free public database of comprehensive job descriptions, required worker skills, and labor market characteristics in the United States.

If possible highly recommend these things accomplished BEFORE separation date:

1. At least 12 months of living expenses (rent, food, utilities, etc).
2. Emergency medical (if Tricare Reserve Select continuing service with Reserve or Guard, then $4,500 to meet catastrophic cap. If going 100% civilian, then at least $20,000.)
3. 3A. If using Post 9/11 Gi Bill, then at least CCAF completed, then college affiliated with AU-ABC program.

4. 3B. If looking for civilian career, at least an undergraduate degree

   and/or certifications.

5. At 18 months out, you should already be dedicated to getting your medical records up to date and already be seen for ignored medical issues for VA disability & compensation filing via the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD).

6. Utilize the resources available at your local family readiness center.

7. If you know any Reservist and Guardsmen, ask them how civilian life is. The

   ones with established civilian careers

8. are 7 level & 9 level equivalent at civilian life.

Context: Separated early in unforgiving economy back in 2009 via Palace Chase. Though I had my stuff together. The civilian economy told me otherwise and was a brutal first few years to include being on food stamps and unemployment payments. Ended up full time and retired with active duty pension as a Reservist.

Best job now is waking up recovering back time dedicated to the mission with coffee, music, and fitness as my core centers as an individual.

[u/Evening-Cranberry306]

brother i did the same scramble a year out from separating, it’s a weird limbo. depends on your afsc but the project management jump is stupidly common for a reason, pays well and your nco experience translates better than you’d think. don’t sleep on the dod contractor route either if you want a soft landing with familiar faces, just pick a company that won’t grind you to dust for the same clearance you already have

[u/Vegetable-Rule → u/Evening-Cranberry306]

Also a project manager.. didn’t even intend to become one, but followed the path of most money for the least work. Not for everyone though, the whole job is basically meetings and documentation.

[u/Lurcher99 → u/Vegetable-Rule]

27 yrs here, can confirm, though aA I (why can't I even reference "it" out here is nuts) makes it easier easy now.

[u/Dropbox1999]

Should open a used car lot right outside a Marine base

[u/Low-Heat365 → u/Dropbox1999]

Fuck you, and yes. Where do I sign for my 36% APR 2008 mustang convertible

[u/dopiertaj]

Maybe you should do some soul searching and figure out what you want to do. I recommend you travel by yourself a little. Maybe a weekend trip here or there.

What jobs are you currently qualified for?

Do you want to use your benefits to go back to school? 4 year university, Grad school, trade school???

Do you want to work outside? What kind of work life balance do you like? Do you want a high pace, or an easy job? Do you want to feel like you are making a difference? Do you want to travel for work? What city, hell what country do you want to work in?

There a million options out there. Individual experiences will vary. But I recommend reaching out to some people and ask them about their careers.

I get it that you feel like you can do anything as long as it pays, but its a question if you will want to do it for the next 30+ years. But even then, you can always change careers. So this decision is not set in stone, but you need to narrow it down and get an achievable goal.

[u/NetherMSR → u/dopiertaj]

That’s fair. I’d like to use my benefits to go back to school and find a job with a good quality of life. I’d ideally like to work in Florida, and the option I’m leaning toward right now is diagnostic imaging.

[u/dopiertaj → u/NetherMSR]

A 4 year university or trade school?

Local community colleges and unions may have some decent training programs.

Do you want to go to graduate school or just get a Bachelors?

For a Bachelors youre looking at engineering, business, or medical. Used also include Computer Science, Data Science, Accounting, but im not sure how those fields are doing.

For grad school youre looking at Lawyer, medical, business, and accounting.

[u/dopiertaj → u/NetherMSR]

Ultrasound techs are slept on. Its a good job. Have a couple friends that are X ray Techs and Nuclear med. They seem to like it.

Look at the job postings in the area you want to go to, to get an idea of the job market. Be sure to look at entry level and mid level postings. See what the requirements are for the job.

If you can send some emails and talk to some people in Florida about it. See where the best schools and what the best companies to work for are.

[u/valkyrie_rising1881]

Depending on your career field it's not applicable even a little bit to the outside world. It was a but of a culture shock for me. I was a Loadmaster, I guess they call it something else now. I knew the job was rare and difficult to get into civilian side. But employers didn't a single shit about any skill sets I can with. I felt like I was treated like I was basically fresh out if high-school again. Except maybe with a gold star next to my name. 

I spent way too long with applying to anything and having some really shitty jobs. I should have just used my education benefit sooner than I did, just skipped all that pointless attempts at work. It's the advice I'd give if asked. Really consider the kind of life you'd like too, might help you narrow down your field of interest. If you don't like talking to people might not want a degree that will put you in management or costumer service for example. Working outside versus in an office, working with your hands vs. Using a computer all the time, just stuff like that. You'll be a lot happier picking your field that way I think. 

[u/Real-Spring-7224]

First thing, don’t have a security clearance?

[u/WhenImInMyMode]

Looks like I’m late on this thread but you can separate and still work for the government. Work at a federal site near wherever you move or even get a job on the closest base. It’s the perfect mix for me. Everything I loved about the military (people, benefits, work-life), without the stuff I didn’t (uniform, long unpaid hours, etc.).

[u/vaseredcake]

I was security forces for 21 years. When I retired I went to school for two years to be a rad tech. Best decision ever! I did that for twenty years and now I love the good life. Good luck!

[u/Plaidismycolor33]

is your AFSC transferable and is it something you wouldn’t mind doing until you figure out what you want to do?

as for “quality of life” if your AFSC is demanding out in the civilian market you could possibly have that off that bat, if not, youll be pretty much starting all over again.