Laying the Groundwork

There’s no getting around it: The job market is tumultuous these days, and candidates are struggling to stand out. If it feels like the only set of eyes on your résumé belongs to an automated system, consider taking a cue from US Air Force Veteran Gene Popovych and use preparation and old-school networking to give yourself a boost.

When he started his ACP mentorship in September of 2024, then-Staff Sergeant Popovych had already worked hard to position himself for a successful transition the following January. He’d been working in military IT roles for almost a decade and had already completed his Bachelor’s in Information Technology Management, along with a handful of IT and cybersecurity certifications.

With the technical know-how to thrive in the private sector, all Popovych needed was a little help with “military-to-civilian” translation. There’s not an app for that (yet), but his ACP Mentor, Mindy Ogles, came close. Ogles, a Director of Project Management at The Standard, came to ACP through her work with the company’s employee resource group for Veterans. At the start of their year-long mentorship, Popovych says he had “zero experience” with corporate roles or terminology.

Ogles’ 15+ years of experience, her dedication to helping others, and her deep connections within IT and management made her the ideal Mentor.

Just three months into his mentorship, Popovych landed a great role as a Cloud Engineer at one of the country’s top tech companies, and he’s already on track to work his way up to his long-term goal of a director position.

Here’s how Popovych made his mentorship work for him:

• Lay the groundwork. Popovych took the proactive step of earning certifications and pursuing educational coursework that supplemented his military experience, letting him more easily show his value to civilian employers. Organizations like ACT Now Education and Onward to Opportunity connect Veterans and Military Spouses with free and low-cost continuing education opportunities.
• Know your worth.You might serve as a trusted military leader for 10 or 20 years, only to realize that you have no idea how to express that experience to civilians. Popovych compared himself to “a baby bird” when it came to learning about the civilian employment landscape and its intersection with his Air Force background. His most important takeaway from working with Ogles? A stronger understanding of how prepared he really was to take on new roles and challenges. “Mindy encouraged me to hold out for what I was worth,” says Popovych of Ogle’s help in finding and securing the right opportunity. For her part, Ogles credits her Protégé’s logical approach.

• Make your Mentor’s network your own. An ACP mentorship isn’t just one professional relationship – it’s a whole web of potential contacts. Ogles was happy to connect Popovych with colleagues who had niche expertise. “Gene was able to meet with at least three other people at my company and ask them questions and get advice on his career path,” she says. Popovych adds that without the mentorship program, he “never would have had those connections.”Your ACP associate can also connect you with other professionals for networking and informational calls. A little preparation goes a long way – don’t forget to prepare your questions ahead of an informational interview or to send a quick thank-you afterwards!
• Think long-term. You might need a job now, but don’t neglect longer-term planning. Ogles, who has helped many friends and colleagues get to the next level in their careers, helped Popovych stay focused on future goals and accept a role with room for growth. Once Popovych started receiving offers, Ogles says, “our conversations changed from discussing next steps in securing a role to strategizing which role made the best sense for the long game.”

Finding a Mentor is one of the most important steps a transitioning Service Member can take, and it’s completely free through ACP’s year-long, one-on-one mentorships. Active-Duty Military Spouses can take advantage of the program, too: “My wife also has a wonderful Mentor,” Popovych says. Don’t put off what could be one of the most consequential steps in your professional success!