A Service person’s ongoing journey with the CTP
Category: Success Stories
Publish date: 05/01/2021
I am tired of the question ‘what are you going to do?’ I hate it; it both bores me and stresses me out in equal measure, and the answer (if the real question is what job are you going to do), is I don’t know. The question is normally followed by some ‘helpful’ careers advice suggesting a load of things that I may be qualified for, but I am not at all interested in doing because I am ready for a change. For me, my resettlement and the transition I am about to make, is about much more than finding a job; it’s about preparing for a whole life style change after 30+ years of military institutionalisation, and this is something that I think needs closer consideration!
After some brutal years, a voice in my head is shouting loudly at me to 'step off the roller coaster, learn how to breathe and take time to smell the roses'. But another voice is advising me that 'if I step off, no one will let me back on when I am ready for the next ride’. And, I am wondering if I take a break, will it be like going on a beach holiday and longing to just lie there all day, when in reality after 10 minutes I would be thinking, right I have done that, what’s next? These are just a few of the questions that have been buzzing around my head for some time.
The question remains, however it is interpreted and whether I like it or not, what am I going to do? I can tell you what I am not going to do and that is worry about any of this; and in fact I am prepared to go as far as saying I am completely comfortable and excited about what lies ahead, but why is that? It may be a bit of naivety, but I hope it’s because I started this transition over two years out and plan to remain fully engaged with that journey until I leave, and for the two years’ post-discharge (because that is what the offer includes). But I didn’t start my journey with this confidence. This has developed as a result of the resettlement activities I’ve undertaken with Career Transition Partnership (CTP). So here are some of my personal tips.
Get yourself a Career Consultant and consult!
This has been the most truly valuable part of my resettlement journey so far. On my second visit to my CTP career consultant (and there has been much more communication since), I remember her asking me what do you want to talk about today? My answer was that I had no idea and that was the trigger for an incredible journey of exploration (that is still continuing) to discover who I am, what I liked and what I want out of the next chapter of my life. My career consultant has been my handrail.
On my first visit, which was really exploratory and from my perspective, was about me working out what this service was all about, I found myself just talking non-stop. I talked about things that I didn’t even know I felt like talking about. I talked about the worries, concerns and thoughts I had about leaving the Army; it felt liberating, exhausting, but good. I came away having given myself permission to step off the roller coaster, knowing that like any fairground ride, the opportunity to climb aboard again will be back. Career consultants are trained to listen, and listen non-judgementally, and there aren’t many occasions when someone affords you that luxury, so I suggest you make the most of it; articulating and explaining out loud your thoughts on your future may help give you clarity.
Start your preparation early
Had I not engaged early I think I might have wasted a lot of time going down the wrong rabbit holes, and my transition would be more of a worry and chore than the exciting exploration that mine has become. To go on such an exploitative journey, you have to start early. If I only had months or weeks to go, I expect my conversation would be much more focussed, desperate and task/job based. But most of us have at least two years to sort ourselves out, so use all the time you have (much can be done remotely as I am finding whilst locked up in self-isolation). Giving yourself time will help stop the final panic.
To get to you career consultant you need to engage with the process, and for me this involved an interview/briefing with my IERO. My advice would be to just do it - it doesn’t take long and once it’s out of the way you can start planning the rest of your life. So START YOUR RESETTLEMENT EARLY. The value I have found by having a burst of engagement 2 years out; my IERO brief, the Career Transition Workshop and career consultant consultation is that it changed my mindset and the lens through which I now consider everything. In all I now do at work, in leisure, on holidays, following chats with friends, I find myself looking through 'my future’ lens. My my eyes are open and I am always surprised at what I find, so I advise you to GET YOUR HEAD AROUND THE FACT YOU ARE LEAVING EARLY; I think about my resettlement and future every day.
Look outside the Armed Forces
I’m lucky as I have my house sorted. Admittedly, the thought of everything changing at once would be a bit overwhelming, but there are many things you can do to make your transition smoother. For me this has included getting involved in hobbies, activities and external groups that will endure beyond my Service – meaning that not everything is going to change on 12 Jul 2021; I now have friends and interests which will carry over. You could also volunteer in your ‘home’ area. It doesn’t have to be much, but it’ll get you engaged and involved and help build up your network and the local picture.
The best analogy for my journey so far is like opening a RUSSIAN DOLL - every time I do an activity; it prompts or shows me another to explore. Now, some of these doors lead to nowhere, or I haven't liked what I found behind them, but it’s all been useful. What I haven’t enjoyed has also occasionally still opened other doors. As an example, I recently achieved CIPD membership through the ‘Experience Assessment’ route. I don’t know if this will help me, but I was given the opportunity to do it so took it. I resented every step of the journey; articulating my previous experience and being interrogated about it, I found it tiresome. However, regardless of what doors those letters after my name may open, I have already benefitted from the experience.
Having registered with CIPD at my permanent/resettlement home address, I have been invited to networking events and conferences in that area. I get sent job opportunities and this has given me a business insight into my county and I’ve done some great networking off the back of it. I would also use the RUSSIAN DOLL analogy for my career consultant. I now keep a resettlement diary to map my thoughts/actions etc, but find myself writing to my career consultant quite regularly to update her on what I am doing (more for my benefit than hers). My emails never end there and I have gotten used to questions flying back, suggesting I explore what I liked or didn’t like about an experience and why. At times, it has driven me crazy, but it’s been truly invaluable.
Network
My penultimate tip is start NETWORKING - it doesn’t have to be anything too organised, just start speaking to people around you about stuff and exciting things might happen. Read the newspaper and see what catches your eye and then write to that organisation and see if you can find out more. Try a few courses either locally or online. Be curious, be interested and see what you learn about yourself and what doors open around you.
Utilise the CTP
And my final piece of advice is MAKE CTP WORK FOR YOU, it took me a while, but I have found CTP to be much more than just courses (which I have now booked 12 months out - because I am really comfortable with where I am heading), my CTP consultant is my secret gem, but brochures, videos, online resources, courses, and attachments are all sitting there waiting to be investigated and used. Make the most of what really is a fabulous service and opportunity!
Ultimately, I still don’t know ‘what I am going to do’, but I am thoroughly enjoying the journey and I know that I am in the best possible place to do so, with the ongoing support from the CTP.
I wish you luck (but if you plan early you shouldn’t need it!)