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16 G.I. JOBS | SEPTEMBER 2017 | GIJOBS.COM INDUSTRY INTEL TELECOMMUNICATIONS The thriving telecom sector wants veterans to join its ranks no matter their education level. "As part of our New Collar initiative, we are really focused on a candidate's skills, not the degree they might have obtained," Laurie Friedman, a member of corporate communications at IBM, explains. "And earning digital credentials, such as our IBM Open Badge program, is a great way to continue to keep skills fresh and help build your qualifications." Cisco Systems takes a similar approach, noting that if a vet has a Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA) cert, he/she will be considered for hire. Then, Michael Veysey, director of Veterans Programs at Cisco, explains, "Once a vet has his/her CCNA cert and gets a job at Cisco, there is really no limit to advancing within the company." COMMITTED TO YOU AND YOUR FUTURE Need more proof that this is the right industry for you? All the companies we interviewed pledged a deep commitment to hiring and supporting veterans. "The values, beliefs and the technical skills instilled in military personnel shape them into the types of people we want to hire, and we take our commitment to their futures seriously," remarks Scott Morris, senior advisor at Windstream Communications. Martin Pisciotti, VP of employee careers at T-Mobile, adds, "We've found the military prepares you to lead and be a good leader of yourself—and we love that quality!" Now that you've learned more about this dynamic industry, check out the following pages for stories of real vets just like you who scored telecom careers with top companies. NO DEGREE? NO PROBLEM! BY ANDREA LOVAS WE LIVE IN AN INCREASINGLY MOBILE, tech-hungry world – and that's great news for new veterans looking to parlay their military experience into careers in the telecommunications industry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the wireless industry – whose explosive growth signals key opportunities for the entire telecom sector – will see a 14 percent increase in employment through 2024. Even better, many of these in-demand roles don't require a four-year degree. For example, Gary Brown, talent acquisition recruiter for Sprint, reports the company will accept relevant "life experience," even for positions where a college degree is typically preferred. And who has more valuable life experience than our nation's military veterans? OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND What's also great about this industry is that so many of the players have locations across the U.S., so if you're planning a move, chances are good you can change locations without changing companies. These larger companies are also more likely to offer a host of benefits you might not find elsewhere. Tommy Jones, leader of military programs at Verizon, reports the company offers a best-in-class 401(k) plan as well as a tuition assistance program, performance-based incentives, adoption expense assistance, a matching gifts program and military discounts. LIFELONG LEARNING Since technology is so quickly evolving, many companies offer their employees plenty of opportunities for continuing education, with many employers offering on-the-job training and a host of professional development tools. So not only do you not need a degree to get in the door in many cases, but once you're working at the company, you can count on career advancement opps even without formal post- secondary education.