“My Transition” #42: Patrick Weeks — USMC Logistics Officer to Operations Manager
Patrick balances an MBA, job, and family. He’s living proof that life is not always easy, but hard work pays off in the long run.
The speed of my transition was discombobulating, as within a six month period, I returned from deployment, was (re)introduced to life as a new father, left the military, joined a civilian company, and moved… I would strongly urge other transitioning service members to plan as far ahead as possible.
Alexandria, VA — Sometimes, life seems to move at a daunting pace. Patrick has learned that in the midst of chaos, it’s important to remind yourself to focus on what matters most. Transitioning from Marine Officer to MBA student, father, and full-time Operations Manager has been difficult… but well worth it in the long-run. Plan ahead, network, and pay it forward.
DJS: What was your favorite part about being a Marine?
PW:
The Marine Corps appealed to me as a prospective recruit in the way it contrasted with the other branches. I found the challenge, pride, and strong culture to be more than just marketing. Working and living with a team of Marines, especially on deployment or in basic training, can be such a transformational experience. Almost nowhere else have I been able to be surrounded by people so motivated to improve themselves, embrace challenges, and keep their peers accountable.
Almost nowhere else have I been able to be surrounded by people so motivated to improve themselves, embrace challenges, and keep their peers accountable.
DJS: Did you know what you were going to do when you left the Marines?
PW:
As a business undergrad and a father, I had strong inclinations to rejoin the civilian corporate world after my 4-year tour. I loved serving as an advisor to the Afghan military, and thought that consulting was a similar civilian job. From what I knew about my skills, interests, and resume, I hoped to get a consulting job in finance in the New York City area. That being said, I saw myself filling entry-level business or finance roles at any Fortune 500 company. Most important was a paycheck!
DJS: Did you face any struggles during transition?
PW:
I faced a lot of anxiety about the unknown. Without prior experience, I wondered how favorably companies would look upon my military service. The speed of my transition was discombobulating, as within a six month period, I returned from deployment, was (re)introduced to life as a new father, left the military, joined a civilian company, and moved. Losing friends, familiar surroundings, and military benefits made for social, personal, and financial stresses like many others. That being said, my advance planning and good luck enabled a much smoother transition than many. If I could share any advice, I would strongly urge other transitioning service members to plan as far ahead as possible.
Without prior experience, I wondered how favorably companies would look upon my military service… If I could share any advice, I would strongly urge other transitioning service members to plan as far ahead as possible.
DJS: Tell me about your initial job search process?
PW:
Almost a year out from my transition, I heavily researched both MBA and recruiting agency routes. Getting an MBA has been a goal since my undergrad days, but the timing and financial difficulties made me put it on the backburner in 2013. My major route to job transition success was simply working with recruiting firms who specialized with military and especially officer placement. The way I thought about my transition was that the more expert advice I could get, the better off I’d be.
My major route to job transition success was simply working with recruiting firms who specialized with military and especially officer placement.
DJS: What was most challenging about going from military to civilian life?
PW:
I think the most difficult part was losing the natural and easy social connections that the military gives you. It was an enormous culture shock to go from living on a Marine Corps base and working with Marines to living in Brooklyn and working in New York City, where there is not a tradition of or familiarity with the military culture. I found it very hard to connect with most of my co-workers and neighbors. You really take for granted the ease with which you can get to know people and socialize in the military. The most beneficial places to start for me were my Veterans Network at work and my church community in my neighborhood.
I found it very hard to connect with most of my co-workers and neighbors.. The most beneficial places to start for me were my Veterans Network at work and my church community in my neighborhood.
DJS: You’re balancing an MBA, family, and job. How do you manage this and what advice would you give to other service members about education?
PW:
I have to be extremely efficient with and protective of my time. Combining these different facets was definitely a joint decision and a joint burden for my family. I make sure to make time for my health and for my family and close friends, even though school and work are always demanding my time. Honestly one of the best things I’ve learned is to simply embrace imperfection. Knowing when something is “good enough” enables me to turn my attention elsewhere with a clean conscience. Not easily said for a perfectionist!
Honestly one of the best things I’ve learned is to simply embrace imperfection.
DJS: Did you use any veteran networking strategy to land any of your previous positions? If so, how did you make those connections?
PW:
My first job out of military, I used as Junior military officer recruiting firm. Unless you have a very good options elsewhere in your natural Network, I think that is a great way to get started. My friends I know who have used those firms tend to have higher salaries and better that works right out of the gate. Jobs since then have been purely through personal networking.
My socializing outside of work and my blog have opened doors for me that I never would have reached if I had simply put my head down and focused on my small circle through work. I definitely recommend veterans network and explore outside their current job, industry, and even geography.
My socializing outside of work and my blog have opened doors for me that I never would have reached…
DJS: Are there other veterans in your workplace? If so, how is that dynamic?
PW:
I work with a variety of veterans, and spouses or children to veterans. It’s not part of the core of what we do, but it does increase our understanding and definitely leads to some good inter-service rivalry and teasing. I highly recommend veterans try to focus on work places with a veteran presence or some appreciation for military culture. I have found that it definitely improves communication and I think helps your growth potential, especially for those recently transitioned veterans.
I highly recommend veterans try to focus on work places with a veteran presence or some appreciation for military culture.
DJS: What one piece of advice do you have for anyone reading this?
PW:
Get out of your comfort zone early and often in increasing your networking. If there’s some taboo around the word networking, you get over it! Think about it more as exploring how you can help and meet others. Also don’t sell yourself short and assume that you can not get some job or get on a career path that would really make you happy. Keep experimenting and learning how to get closer to the career that is the best fit for you.
Get out of your comfort zone early and often in increasing your networking…Also don’t sell yourself short…
Background
Patrick is a proud Marine Corps veteran who has transitioned to his life’s new mission of growing startups. A big believer in mentorship, he is happy to talk with transitioning veterans, and can be booked through Veterati.
While a Marine officer from 2009–2014, Patrick launched and grew a family of online communities for the military including www.officercandidatesschool.com, the #1 site mentoring future Marine officers, and www.armstrongpullupprogram.com, which shares free pullup-focused workouts.
Since returning to the civilian sector, he has worked as a management consultant in NYC and a business operations manager for startups in the Washington, DC area. Currently he has returned to school as an executive MBA student with the University of Virginia.
Recommended veteran resources
American Corporate Partners — American Corporate Partners (ACP) is a national nonprofit organization focused on helping returning veterans find their next careers through one-on-one mentoring, networking and online career advice.
Veterati — Veterati is an innovative mentorship platform that makes being a mentor and finding mentors effortless.
Institute for Veterans and Military Families — The IVMF is higher education’s first interdisciplinary academic institute, singularly focused on advancing the lives of the nation’s military veterans and their families. Veterans can access incredible amounts of training programs and advice for free through IVMF.
Lynda.com by LinkedIn — Sign-up for your FREE year of learning on Lynda.com. This incredible resource includes unlimited access to 4,000 courses in business, creative and technology skills all taught by industry experts.
Are you interested in sharing your story of transition? Or are you a military transition specialist who would like to share some tips? Send me an email at MilitaryTransitionStories@gmail.com
The goal of this series is to bridge the military-civilian divide in three ways: 1) Highlight the incredible skills and value that military veterans of all generations and backgrounds bring into the workplace. 2) Help transitioning veterans understand their true value and therefore aim as high as possible in their employment and educational goals. 3) Discuss the common struggles, pitfalls and indicators of success in veteran transition, in order to provide better transition assistance from both military and civilian sides.
