Issue link: http://gijobsdigimag.epubxp.com/i/728631
80 G.I. JOBS | OCTOBER 2016 | GIJOBS.COM Age: 28 Military Service: Specialist (E-4), Army (2012-2016) MOS: Signals Intelligence Analyst (35N) What is your typical day like? I attend meetings to work out how to improve products, work with other developers to create or edit functionality in applications, and try to simultaneously improve myself and help others improve technically. I make use of available time to assist the newest VetFIT cohort in learning and understanding programming concepts and logic. Why did you choose this career path? A lifelong passion for IT-related hobbies. How did you get your job? I used a veteran friend as a referral when I applied for a different position. When he saw that I applied, he reached out to me to let me know about VetFIT and encouraged me to apply, so I did. Four months later, they extended an offer for me to join VetFIT, a veteran cohort program designed to provide comprehensive software development training and an internship. Best advice for transiāĻoning service members? First: Try to find something that you really enjoy doing. Many veterans change jobs a couple times after separating before they settle in somewhere. Second: Don't procrastinate or talk yourself out of applying. Even if you haven't made up your mind about where you want to work or if you think you'll get the job you apply for, apply anyway. The way I see it, you can't find that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity if you aren't available when it arrives. TIMOTHY KESSLER Software Developer & Integrator III, USAA, San Antonio, Texas SPECIALIST