Navy veteran Shanon Raab discusses his journey from machinist’s mate to passionate recruiter, in both the Navy and civilian worlds, in our first official episode of Exit Buddy: Veteran Stories to Guide You. Shanon shares how a chance visit to the mall at 17 sparked his military career, how mentoring a shipmate led to his Navy recruiting role, and how a sudden decision to leave the service after 20 years left him facing a daunting civilian transition. He dives into being rejected for jobs as “overqualified,” landing civilian gigs through networking on LinkedIn, and helping veterans find their footing, all while emphasizing the power of TAP classes, tailored resumes, and staying true to your passion to thrive post-service.

Chapters

• 01:18 Shanon's Journey to the Navy
• 04:02 Recruiting Duty and Special Programs Path
• 07:14 Shanon's Unexpected Transition Out of the Military
• 09:23 Common Mistakes in Military Transition
• 11:22 Importance of TAP Classes
• 13:28 Job Application Challenges
• 17:13 Networking for Success
• 20:39 Finding the Right Company Culture
• 22:17 Advice for Federal Contracting Roles
• 25:10 The Importance of Passion in Your Career
• 25:58 Final Thoughts on Military Transition and Mentorship

Key Takeaways

• Check Your Ego: Senior leaders and career lifers, don’t let pride block your transition prep—embrace mentorship and guidance.
• Plan Early and Often: Start transition planning a year out, revisit TAPs, and stay open to new programs like SkillBridge.
• Tailor Your Resume: Beat AI screening by aligning your resume with job descriptions—keywords are your friend.
• Network Like You Mean It: From LinkedIn to veteran networking events, building connections is critical.
• Stay True to Your Passion: As our guest says, “If you lose your passion, you’ve lost at life.” Find what lights your fire and chase it.

Follow us for more veteran stories to guide your transition journey, and text this episode to a fellow service member who’s navigating their exit. Until next time, keep the fire in your belly burning!

Send us a text

Visit us at https://exitbuddy.buzzsprout.com to learn more about the show.

Have feedback or questions for us? Email us at ashleyjones.creative@gmail.com.

Join hosts Kathleen Smith and Rachel Bozeman for the launch of Exit Buddy: Veteran Stories to Guide You! This podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the transition from military to civilian life. Each episode features a veteran sharing their real stories, practical tips for career transitions, advice on building strong support networks, and candid lessons learned to light your path forward. Whether you're preparing for your military transition or already in the thick of it, Exit Buddy has your back. Hit follow and get ready for inspiring stories and actionable strategies to empower your next step!

Send us a text

Visit us at https://exitbuddy.buzzsprout.com to learn more about the show.

Have feedback or questions for us? Email us at ashleyjones.creative@gmail.com.