Military to Education Career Path Plan and Goals

Mission and Purpose

My purpose in life is to serve others by applying my training, experience, knowledge, skills, and talents in ways that help others achieve their goals. This perception is grounded in my experience as a leader in the military, where I have devoted a great deal of my life to service. For me, there is no better calling than to serve others — to put oneself at the service of a country, an organization, a group, a family, friends, or a community.

My beliefs about myself, people, and work are that we are all here to work. I do not sit around dreaming of holidays or watching the clock until I can go home and turn on the TV. My thoughts are focused on work, and my work focuses on supporting the people around me in the mission and aims of the military we all serve in together. It is not a job that we do alone, nor one we can disappear into. I communicate with my colleagues, my superiors, and my subordinates, and they communicate back. There is a constant flow of information that keeps us linked together and on the same page. I believe that being on that page is critically important, and I cannot think of anywhere else I would rather be.

Personal Philosophy of Work

At some point, the page will turn and a new chapter will begin — likely outside the military. But it will be a chapter full of new people and new responsibilities, a fresh pursuit and a new opportunity to put myself and my skills to good use.

My work ethic is rooted in my desire to succeed no matter the task. I am self-motivated, hardworking, and capable of managing multiple responsibilities simultaneously. I finish work promptly and never leave a job half-done. My philosophy is that every person must do their part, and that together a team can achieve far more than any individual working alone.

I believe the military is an exceptional environment for molding minds and building discipline. Military structure, hierarchy, camaraderie, and a spirit of shared mission all help to instill a sense of purpose and an appreciation for the work others contribute — and for the importance of lending a helping hand at all times. These beliefs will carry over into the field I intend to enter once I leave the military: education.

My philosophy as a worker is that when duty calls, it is all hands on deck. There is no room for procrastination or unpreparedness. If one is caught off guard through no fault of one's own, one should quickly seek assistance from a supervisor or colleague. As a supervisor, my philosophy is that my role is to guide, lead, support, and communicate — to help those I oversee put their talents to use in service of the mission. As a colleague, I believe I must be ever-ready to fulfill my own role so that my peers can fulfill theirs. Whether in the military or in civilian life, everyone has a role, and every role feeds into a much larger picture. If one piece of the puzzle cannot fall into place, the picture cannot take shape — which is why I value being a dependable colleague and assisting peers in fulfilling their roles whenever I can.

My career plan is to transition from the military into the education field, serving either as a professor or an administrator. In my current career I am satisfied with my progress: I am putting in the time and will be able to retire with a strong pension. However, I want to apply my skills in the civilian world, and given my disposition and desire to serve others, I believe I would be best suited for a position in education.

Career Path Goals

My two-year goal is to remain in the military while strengthening my skill set. My four-year goal is to be preparing for retirement as a Lieutenant Colonel. My eight-year goal is to retire and transition into higher education as a professor or administrator. My ten-year goal is to be actively working at a university.

The career paths that interest me most are all within higher education. My aim is to leverage my military résumé and leadership background to pursue one of two directions: becoming a professor or becoming an administrator at a university.

To become a professor, I will need to complete my master's degree, which I am currently pursuing and intend to finish within the next two years. I would also like to earn a second master's degree or a PhD in a subject area of personal interest — potentially history or military history, given my background. A master's or PhD in Education would provide an excellent credential for obtaining the professorship I desire. To strengthen this path, I plan to seek out teaching roles within the military over the next six to eight years, building a record of experience as an educator while also confirming that this is the direction I want to pursue.

To become an administrator, I could take a different approach: rather than pursuing a degree in an educative discipline, I could pursue a degree in Human Resources or Management — and potentially a PhD in one of those fields. This would provide the credentials needed for a strong administrative position at a university. I also plan to gain administrative experience within the military over the same six-to-eight-year window, so that I can assess whether I prefer the administrative side or whether I would rather be in front of a classroom, building direct relationships with students.