Walmart offers career suggestions for veterans
Published: April 3, 2012
WASHINGTON —Gary Profit remains unimpressed with the military-to-civilian skills translators available to veterans looking for jobs. So he convinced his company to build its own.
“The ones I’ve seen out there tend to focus on hard technical skills, rather than the huge investment the nation makes in developing these people into leaders,” said Profit, senior director of military programs at Walmart. “Our career path tool is designed to demonstrate to candidates some possible careers, what kinds of things would interest you.”
The Walmart skills translator is available on their “careers with a mission” website, which also includes openings at the company and advice for veterans on how to land a job.
Profit said many young veterans he speaks with about jobs haven’t thought about a long-term career path, only an immediate paycheck. “You’ll especially see it in their resumes, which are a wonderful summary of their lives but don’t tell me anything about their career aspirations,” he said.
He hopes the career path tool can change that. Profit said he’s also working with corporate managers to better educate hiring managers about the skills veterans can bring, but he said it’s a “work in progress” getting them to understand which military specialties fit best in different jobs.
Here’s a look at how military skills can translate into the retail industry, according to Walmart executives:
| Military specialty | Walmart suggestion | |
| Combat operations | Store manager, field project supervisor | |
| Communications | Information technology, technical support | |
| Intelligence | Corporate fraud examiner, asset protection | |
| Mechanic | Fleet mechanic, shop technician | |
| Supply and Logistics | Area manager, floor manager | |
| Aviation | Corporate pilot, travel coordinator |
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