Project Manager

Northeast
US Navy, O-5

I retired from the Navy in the summer of 2012 and immediately started law school.  Although I really enjoyed law school, I realized that I had no desire to practice law for the rest of my life, so I began searching for jobs in early 2014. I was a Surface Warfare Officer in the Navy, retiring as an O-5 after commanding a Guided Missile Destroyer.  Nearly every aspect of my two decades of shipboard experience prepared me this new career, from the practical engineering and project management I subconsciously did on a daily basis to the leadership and budget management.  Additionally, my experience in managing contracts and coordinating with contractors has also been helpful.

My recruiter, Bob Berkholz, was exceptional.  He navigated me through the entire process, even though I was a late signup for the Houston Distinguished Candidate Conference. He tailored my interviews to my level of experience.  As a result, I found that each of the jobs for which I interviewed was a good fit for my skill set and addressed my desires for job type, company size, compensation, and geographic location.

While there are many differences between my military and civilian career, my current position managing capital projects in the chemical industry requires the use of many of the skills that I developed throughout my time in the Navy.  Although I am learning a new industry and the associated language and procedures, the work itself reminds me of planning and executing a large shipboard maintenance availability or a complex operation.

As a retired O-5 who did not desire to enter government service as a civilian or work as a defense contractor but instead wanted his second career to be in industry, Orion provided one of the few, or perhaps the only way, to introduce me to a large number of potential employers.  Their screening process ensured I only interviewed for jobs that met my needs and desires and for which I was a good fit based on my experience and skills.  My recruiter's personal interaction with me made this possible and was definitely preferable to blindly submitting hundreds of resumes online or attending numerous job fairs.

Orion's business model of using Distinguished Candidate Conferences to connect candidates to potential employers definitely works, and, although they are touted as a Junior Military Officer recruiting firm, their methods are no less effective for those of us who are a bit more senior, as well. Orion's guidance and feedback throughout the process were instrumental in making my experience a success.