Articles
In-depth guides and resources for your military-to-civilian career transition
5 Things Every Veteran Should Do Before MBA Applications Open
Prepare strategically for MBA admissions — GMAT prep, recommenders, school research, finances, and building your narrative.
Read Article →A Step-by-Step Military Transition Guide
A comprehensive guide for military veterans transitioning to the private sector — act like a startup to land your next career.
Read Article →An Enlisted Marine's Story of Transition: From Fallujah to the Ivy League
An enlisted Marine's path from a decade in law enforcement to two graduate degrees and a senior role — without a commission or an officer pedigree.
Read Article →Army Reserve & National Guard Basics
Self-advocacy tips for navigating the Reserve Component.
Read Article →Asset Management
Understanding the buy-side — roles, skills, and career paths in investment management.
Read Article →Business Casual
Building your civilian wardrobe after the military — what business casual actually means and how to nail it.
Read Article →Career Exploration Programs for Veterans
HHUSA, BreakLine, VIP, COMMIT — the corporate transition programs that bridge military to civilian careers.
Read Article →Career Switching
How to pivot into a new career field after the military.
Read Article →Career Toolkits
Elevator pitches, LinkedIn profiles, networking templates, and more.
Read Article →Compensation Negotiations
How to negotiate your tech compensation — base salary, equity, bonuses, and total comp.
Read Article →Confessions of a Defense Tech Veteran
Four years at a startup after an M7 MBA - the unfiltered reality of working in defense tech.
Read Article →Consulting Professional Reading List
Essential books and resources for aspiring management consultants.
Read Article →Corporate Finance
An overview of corporate finance careers — FP&A, treasury, investor relations, and more.
Read Article →Dealing with Corporate Recruiters
How corporate recruiters work and how to navigate the process effectively during your job search.
Read Article →Defense Tech Career Paths for Veterans
The fastest-growing sector for veteran employment — roles, companies, salaries, and how to break in.
Read Article →Doing an MBA in Europe
A guide to pursuing your MBA at a European business school — INSEAD, LBS, and more.
Read Article →Essay Prep
Guidance on writing compelling application essays.
Read Article →Finance Professional Reading List
Must-read books for anyone looking to break into finance.
Read Article →From E-5 to VP: Real Transition Stories
Five real stories of veterans who transitioned from enlisted and officer ranks to leadership roles in tech, finance, consulting, and more.
Read Article →Full-Time MBA vs Part-Time MBA
Comparing full-time, part-time, and online MBA formats for veteran students.
Read Article →GI Bill
Maximizing your GI Bill benefits for education.
Read Article →Government-Facing Tech Roles
Tech careers in defense contracting and government-facing organizations.
Read Article →How I Got Into M7 Programs
A veteran's firsthand account of getting admitted to M7 MBA programs.
Read Article →How to Ask for PTO Without Guilt — and Actually Use It
In uniform, leave required command approval. In the civilian world, the friction is psychological. How to ask, hand off cleanly, and actually disconnect.
Read Article →How to Dress for Civilian Work
Decode civilian dress codes and build a professional wardrobe.
Read Article →How to Get Out of the Military
Guidance on timing, paperwork, and planning your exit from military service.
Read Article →How to Handle a Counteroffer (And Why Most People Get It Wrong)
Most people who accept counteroffers leave within 12 months. The five questions to ask before responding, when to accept, and how to decline professionally.
Read Article →How to Negotiate a Job Offer (Before You Sign)
The military set your pay by rank. The private sector expects you to negotiate. How to research, anchor, and counter — and why your clearance is a negotiating asset.
Read Article →How to Negotiate Your Salary When You're Already Employed
Your salary is negotiable after you are hired — not just at annual reviews. How to build the case, time the ask, and frame the conversation.
Read Article →How to Network
Networking strategies for veterans entering the civilian job market — informational interviews, follow-ups, and real connections.
Read Article →How to Pay for an MBA
Funding options for your MBA — GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon, scholarships, and loans.
Read Article →How to Prepare for a Job Interview (The Real Stuff)
Veterans can brief under pressure — but civilian interviews require translation. How to research, build STAR stories, and land in the 2% who get hired.
Read Article →How to Tell Your Company You're Leaving (Without Burning It Down)
The civilian resignation is immediate, personal, and easy to mishandle. How to give notice, run the transition, and protect your reputation.
Read Article →How to Use Your GI Bill for Maximum Impact
Strategic approaches to maximize your Post-9/11 GI Bill — Yellow Ribbon, VR&E, housing allowance, and transfer benefits.
Read Article →Interview Prep
Prep for behavioral, technical, and case interviews.
Read Article →Intro to Tech & Questions to Ask Yourself
Starting your tech career exploration — key questions to help you find the right path.
Read Article →Investment Banking
A comprehensive guide to investment banking — roles, compensation, recruiting, and what to expect.
Read Article →JMO Headhunters
Junior Military Officer recruiting firms — how they work, what to watch out for, and whether this path is right for you.
Read Article →JMO Recruiter Transition Stories: Two Veterans Share What Actually Happened
Two officers share their JMO-recruiter experiences — what worked, what didn't, and how to use these placement firms effectively in your transition.
Read Article →Job Hopping in Tech
Understanding when and why job-hopping makes sense in the tech industry.
Read Article →Law School Playbook
A starting guide for veterans considering law school.
Read Article →LinkedIn Etiquette
Best practices for using LinkedIn during your military-to-civilian career transition.
Read Article →Making Your Application Competitive
Tips for standing out in the tech job application process.
Read Article →Management Consulting
A deep dive into the consulting industry — firm types, roles, compensation, and how to break in as a veteran.
Read Article →Master's in Public Policy / Administration
Exploring MPA and MPP degrees as post-military career options.
Read Article →MBA Admissions
A comprehensive guide to the MBA admissions process — applications, essays, and interviews.
Read Article →MBA Interview Starter Pack
Everything you need to prepare for MBA admissions interviews.
Read Article →MBA Programs Database
Top 25 MBA programs for veterans — GMAT ranges, class sizes, Yellow Ribbon status, and what to look for.
Read Article →MBA Rankings
Understanding MBA program rankings and what they mean for your career.
Read Article →MBA Transition Story
A detailed account of transitioning from the Naval Academy through a Wharton MBA to McKinsey.
Read Article →MBA vs JD vs Other Degrees
Comparing graduate degree options for veterans.
Read Article →Medical School
A guide for veterans considering medical school — postbac programs, MCAT, clinical exposure, and the timeline.
Read Article →Military-to-Civilian Resume Guide
How to translate your military experience into a civilian resume that gets results — with bullet examples.
Read Article →Navigating Office Politics: A No-BS Survival Guide
Civilian authority is informal and earned, not assigned. How to map influence, build political capital, manage visibility, and handle conflict without collateral damage.
Read Article →Phase 1: Exit Strategy
Start here. Build your exit strategy and set the foundation for a successful transition.
Read Article →Phase 2: Primary Target
Identify your primary career target and start aligning your skills and goals.
Read Article →Phase 4: Toolkit
Build your career toolkit — resumes, networking, and interview prep.
Read Article →Phase 5: Degrees & Tech
Evaluate graduate degrees and technical certifications for your path.
Read Article →Phase 6: Life Logistics & Reserve Component
Handle the logistics — housing, benefits, family, and reserve obligations.
Read Article →Post-MBA Career Options
Common career paths after completing your MBA.
Read Article →Professional Certifications
PMP, Six Sigma, and other certifications that actually move the needle in your post-military career.
Read Article →Reserves & National Guard
Navigating Reserve and National Guard service during your career transition — benefits, obligations, and what to watch out for.
Read Article →Search Funds
A guide to search funds — entrepreneurship through acquisition for MBA grads and veterans.
Read Article →Should I Stay In or Get Out?
Weighing the decision to leave at 5 years vs. 8 years of service and how the GI Bill factors in.
Read Article →Tech Career FAQs
Frequently asked questions about breaking into the tech industry.
Read Article →Tech Glossary
Key technology terms and concepts explained in plain language.
Read Article →Tech Interviewing
A comprehensive guide to the tech interview process — behavioral, technical, and case interviews.
Read Article →Technical Software Roles
Breaking into software engineering and technical roles as a veteran — learning resources, paths, and how to get hired.
Read Article →The GMAT
Deep dive into the GMAT — format, scoring, study tips, and resources.
Read Article →The GMAT and GRE
A comprehensive overview of both the GMAT and GRE — which to take and how to prepare.
Read Article →The GRE
Everything you need to know about the GRE — format, scoring, and preparation.
Read Article →The VA Loan
Everything you need to know about the VA home loan benefit — eligibility, funding fees, and more.
Read Article →Transitioned On Your Own: Six Veterans Who Made It Without an MBA
Six veterans who built strong civilian careers without an MBA — leveraging military experience, SkillBridge, certifications, and strategic timing.
Read Article →Types of Tech Roles
An overview of the different types of roles available in the technology industry.
Read Article →Understanding the Tech Landscape
A high-level overview of the tech industry landscape for career changers.
Read Article →USC Master of Business for Veterans: A Closer Look at the MBV Program
Inside the USC Marshall Master of Business for Veterans (MBV) — curriculum, cohort, career outcomes, and whether the one-year veteran-focused program is right for you.
Read Article →VA Disability
Understanding and filing for VA disability benefits.
Read Article →VA Disability Claims: What Most Veterans Get Wrong
Avoid the 7 most common mistakes veterans make when filing VA disability claims — from C&P exams to secondary conditions.
Read Article →Veteran Transition Programs
Corporate programs and fellowships designed to help veterans transition to civilian careers.
Read Article →Vocational Rehabilitation (VR&E)
A guide to using the VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program.
Read Article →What Is an MBA?
A primer on the MBA degree — what it is, what you learn, and who it's for.
Read Article →What Success Looks Like
Only YOU can define what success looks like — perspective for transitioning veterans.
Read Article →When to Ask for a Promotion — and How to Win It
Civilian promotions are relationship-driven and advocacy-dependent — not criteria-based. How to build your case, find a sponsor, and make the ask.
Read Article →Why an MBA?
The case for pursuing an MBA as a military veteran.
Read Article →Your First 60 Days at a New Job: The Field Manual
Veterans default to execution — but the first 60 days reward reconnaissance. How to map the real org chart, find your first win, and avoid washing out early.
Read Article →Your First 90 Days: How to Go From New Hire to Indispensable
Month three is when the grace period ends. The 30-60-90 framework, where veterans struggle, and the relationships that determine whether you thrive or stall.
Read Article →