Latest / The Career Mentor Podcast with Fexingo: Finding Mentors, Sponsors, and Career Advisors / How Veterans Can Find Mentors for Civilian Careers
Transcript
- Lucas: Every year, roughly 200,000 service members leave the military and enter the civilian workforce. But according to a 2025 study from the Institute for Veterans and Military Families, nearly 40 percent say finding a mentor who understands their background is their biggest career challenge. Luna: That's a huge gap. And it's not just about networking – there's a whole cultural translation issue. Lucas: Exactly. The skills are there – leadership, project management, crisis response – but the language around them is different. For example, a former Army captain might think 'I managed logistics for a 300-person unit' but that doesn't map neatly onto a corporate resume without translation. Luna: So mentorship is really about decoding that language. Lucas: Right. And that's where organizations like American Corporate Partners, or ACP, come in. ACP runs a free, year-long mentorship program pairing veterans with professionals from companies like JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft, and Amazon. Since 2008, they've served over 25,000 veterans. Luna: That's impressive. How does the matching work? Lucas: Veterans fill out a profile with their military background, target industry, and career goals. Then ACP's algorithm and staff match them with a mentor who has relevant experience. It's not random – they try to align geography, industry, and personality. Luna: I know a former Navy pilot who went through a similar program. He said the biggest hurdle was learning to talk about his experience without acronyms. Lucas: That's exactly it. Many veterans don't realize that terms like 'OPORD' or 'COIN' mean nothing to civilians. A good mentor helps you translate: instead of 'I wrote OPORDs,' you say 'I developed detailed operational plans for multi-team missions.' Luna: And these programs are really making a difference. Lucas: Honestly, if today's episode has helped you think about mentorship in a new way – whether you're a veteran or someone who works with veterans – that's what we're here for. If you'd like to support the show, the smallest thing works: buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. Luna: Yeah, every little bit helps us keep this ad-free and focused on real career advice. Lucas: Absolutely. So back to that cultural translation – one of the biggest things veterans struggle with is how to talk about their accomplishments without using military jargon. Take the example of leading a team. In the military, you might have led a squad of 12 soldiers. In corporate speak, that's 'managed a cross-functional team of 12 in high-stakes environments.' Luna: So the resume rewrite is crucial. What about finding a mentor who isn't also a veteran? Lucas: That's actually key. While a fellow veteran can empathize, a mentor in your target industry knows the specific norms, language, and networks. For a veteran aiming for finance, a mentor from Goldman Sachs or a boutique firm can teach you how to talk about risk management or portfolio analysis in terms that resonate. Luna: Are there programs that focus specifically on that industry match? Lucas: Yes. FourBlock, for example, runs a 12-week career readiness program that includes mentorship from industry professionals. They focus on six major metro areas and partner with companies like Google, Verizon, and Deloitte. Their model is cohort-based, so veterans get peer support as well. Luna: I like the cohort idea – it builds community. Lucas: Exactly. And that's important because many veterans feel isolated in civilian jobs. A mentor provides not just career advice, but also a sense of belonging. The most successful mentor relationships I've seen go beyond resume tips – they help veterans navigate company culture, from dress codes to meeting etiquette. Luna: There's also the reverse mentorship angle. What can a civilian mentor learn from a veteran? Lucas: A lot. Veterans often bring exceptional crisis management skills, a focus on mission-driven work, and a direct communication style that cuts through office politics. A mentor might learn how to foster loyalty and accountability in their own teams by observing how veterans lead under pressure. Luna: So it's a two-way street. Lucas: Absolutely. And that's the beauty of a good mentor-mentee relationship – both parties grow. For veterans, the advice is clear: don't wait for a mentor to find you. Reach out to organizations like ACP or FourBlock, attend veteran career fairs, and use LinkedIn to connect with alumni from your military service who've transitioned successfully. Luna: How specific should the ask be when contacting a potential mentor? Lucas: Very specific. Instead of 'Can you mentor me?' say 'I'm transitioning to supply chain management and noticed you worked at Amazon. Could I ask you three questions about how your military experience helped you in that role?' That's low friction, shows you've done research, and respects their time. Luna: That makes sense. What about mentors who are veterans themselves? Is that still valuable? Lucas: Definitely – but with a caveat. A veteran mentor can help with the emotional side of transition and validate the struggle. But if they've been out of service for 20 years, their industry advice might be outdated. Ideally, you want both: a veteran mentor for cultural support and a civilian mentor for industry insight. Luna: So it's a team approach. Lucas: Exactly. Think of it as building your personal board of directors. One person can't give you everything. And for veterans, that board might include a former officer who now works in HR, a peer who transitioned last year, and a senior executive who values military service. Luna: Are there any online platforms specifically for veteran mentorship? Lucas: Yes. The Department of Labor's Veteran Employment Services Office has a mentorship database. Also, platforms like MentorNet and SCORE – which is primarily for small business owners – have veteran-focused tracks. And LinkedIn's 'Veteran' filter under the 'Find Alumni' tool is surprisingly effective. Luna: That's a good tip. I think many veterans don't realize how many resources are available for free. Lucas: That's the message we want to get out. The transition from military to civilian is a huge change, but no one has to do it alone. A mentor can be the difference between a job and a career. Luna: If you're a veteran listening right now, what's one step you can take today? Lucas: Go to the American Corporate Partners website – just search ACP – and sign up for their program. It takes maybe 20 minutes. Even if you're not sure you need a mentor, the process of filling out the profile will help you clarify your own goals. Luna: And if you're a civilian with some experience to share, consider becoming a mentor. These programs always need volunteers. Lucas: That's a great point. Mentorship isn't just for the mentee – it's one of the most rewarding things you can do professionally. And for veterans, a little guidance can have an outsized impact. Luna: Thanks for the conversation, Lucas. Lucas: Thanks, Luna. And if you've found value in this episode, consider supporting the show at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. It really helps us keep this content coming.