The time veterans spend in the military equips them with valuable skills essential for today’s in-demand tech roles. They develop key soft skills such as leadership, teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving, all of which can be easily transferred to roles within the tech industry. Combined with their ability to succeed in environments that promote upskilling and reskilling, veterans are strong candidates for positions in software development, cybersecurity, system engineering, and data science.
Why hire veterans in tech?
Each year, approximately 200,000+ service members transition to civilian life, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. This provides many tech and IT companies with an advantageous talent pool that is “a powerful combination of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and unwavering dedication” (SSi Veterans in Tech Whitepaper).
Additionally, veterans are also known for outperforming their peers in environments that demand discipline and resilience, which are widely considered essential skills in the fast-paced tech world, according to TechVets. Not to mention the attitude of many veterans to constantly develop and improve, which is highly valued in an industry characterized by ongoing advancements and innovations.
What skills can veterans translate to careers in tech?
As the worldwide shortage of tech and IT skills persists, it is essential for tech employers to hire talent that is adaptable, resilient, collaborative, and influential to drive growth. Fortunately, veterans entering the civilian workforce already possess these qualities:
Adaptability: Veterans are trained to adjust when plans change or fail, especially in high-pressure situations, making them agile in an industry that’s constantly evolving.
Problem-solving and resilience: Veterans know how to quickly troubleshoot and resolve issues using critical thinking and instincts. Combined with their resilience, veterans are excellent tech hires as hardware problems, bugs, and cyberattacks all require efficient problem-solving skills.
Collaboration: The success of the military depends on quick, precise, and effective teamwork to achieve desired results. Similarly, tech and IT teams rely on clear communication and meaningful collaboration to deliver impactful results on schedule.
Leadership: Many veterans have experience in leading teams and taking charge during service, which transfer seamlessly to IT and engineering projects. Their leadership skills and ability to influence others are highly valued by organizations seeking to innovate and grow.
The value of developing veteran skills
Veterans excel in environments that focus on upskilling and reskilling, especially where formal training and certifications are involved. They have a unique opportunity to learn new tangible skills, such as programming languages, cloud-management principles, and cybersecurity protocols, while also contributing to the organization with their solution-driven soft skills gained during military service.
Research shows that retention rates skew higher for veterans compared to non-veterans when the right supportive environment is in place, meaning that employers who support the developing skills of veterans see a greater return on their investment. (SSi Veterans in Tech Whitepaper)
While some veterans may lack specific technical skills, their ability to leverage online training courses and employer-provided programs to continuously improve themselves is what will propel them toward a successful career in tech.
Top tech roles that match veteran skills
Veterans are poised for many roles in tech; however, the skills they’ve learned during their time in the military make them especially suited for careers in these tech disciplines.
- Cybersecurity/IT Security – many veterans already possess various levels of security clearance and have a strong passion for working in defense, security, and data protection fields.
- Cloud Technology- the military already uses it, and many veterans have been trained on these systems.
- Software Development—this discipline requires exceptional attention to detail, critical thinking, and patience, which are skills that veterans learn through their real-world experience and training programs.
- Data Scientists/Analysts – veterans are skilled problem-solvers who know how to interpret accurate information efficiently.
- Network/System Engineering—troubleshooting and adapting under pressure are essential for this discipline, and fortunately, veterans excel at operating in high-pressure situations.
As technology keeps advancing, there is a high demand for disciplined, adaptable, and dedicated professionals. Veterans transitioning into the civilian workforce bring a perfect combination of technical and soft skills, driving meaningful results that keep the tech industry moving forward.
At SSi People, we recognize the value and expertise that veterans contribute to any organization and stand ready to support them as they take the next step in their careers. Contact us to learn more about how we are partnering with veterans in their career journeys through our ServiceStrong Veteran Program.