Supporting Victoria MacBrayne on her resettlement journey
Category: Success Stories
Publish date: 03/03/2023
Victoria left the RAF after serving for more than 20 years, having decided it was time for a new challenge and a change of pace. The CTP were all too happy to step in with resettlement support.
“I joined straight after university as an Air traffic Controller in 2003 and I leave this year as a Strategy Staff Officer, Army wife, mother of 2, and budding artist. I’m very proud to have been a part of our country’s rich history and heritage, and enjoyed seeing the world during my time with NATO-HQ.
"I feel my exposure to the strategic levels of decision making has helped increase my self-awareness and make me a much more well-rounded person. I’ve also benefitted from a variety of leadership styles – some of which I hope to replicate, others I know to avoid – both equally valuable as I make my transition to the civilian world.”
Resettlement
Once registered for her support, Victoria attended a 3-day Career Transition Workshop (CTW) and a number of CTP workshops to support her next steps in securing a new role while starting her own art business:
“I found the CV writing segment of the CTW really helpful, as I didn’t have a clue where to start. Breaking it down into my key skills and learning to tailor it to the job adverts ultimately helped me secure a new job. Then, the CTP’s self-employment awareness, CV writing and financial aspects of resettlement workshops all provided me with handy hints and tips to prepare for my future.
"I also undertook the CTP’s ‘start your own online business’ vocational training course. Not only was it a good course filled with excellent advice on building and getting the most out of a website, but it also gave me the confidence to believe in starting my art business, and introduced me to some lovely likeminded friends who I’m still in contact with today.”
Thanks to her attendance at the CTW, Victoria was able to establish a good relationship with her CTP Career Consultant, and familiarise herself with our online job portal, RightJob, to support with her transition:
“Rob’s support has been really good and it’s comforting to know you have help and someone to talk with about each element of resettlement. For me this was setting up my LinkedIn profile, job applications, interviews, and contract and salary negotiations.
"RightJob has then been great in helping me understand what’s out there. The filters mean you can focus on roles near you and even find WFH/flexible working options. Plus, it makes putting applications together much easier!”
Successful Outcome
Victoria is now a Strategy Analyst at SSE, as well as an up and coming artist, with an exhibition at Brick Lane Gallery already under her belt:
“Getting the job was a surprise as it was only the 2nd application I’d submitted and I had to tell them I couldn’t start for 5 months due to still being in Service. Leaving the military hasn’t phased me though, and I’m treating my new job as just another posting. Plus, I think our Service experience really helps when integrating into new teams and environments – so there’s no worries there!
"The CTP’s support, especially the CTW, helped me to translate my military experience into key skills and knowledge that civilian employers can understand and, more importantly, value. I may not know much about the energy sector as of now, but the CTP have given me the confidence to know that I’ll be able to add real value in my new job thanks to my wealth of transferable skills.
"Efficiency, adaptability, self-motivation, dedication, attention to detail, being a team player, mentoring and inspiring others. You can take some of these things for granted in the military, but my resettlement has taught me just how sought after these skills are – as well as how they can help me in my new career.
"Finally, a change of pace into a civilian job has meant that I can now dedicate more time and energy to my art, and have used my resettlement leave to prepare for my first exhibition at the Brick Lane Gallery in London.”
Advice
As a final piece of advice to fellow Service leavers, Victoria says:
“Don’t be scared, take it one step at a time and make a book/folder where you can keep all your resettlement notes in one place.
"It’s never too early to start, even if it is just to practise. I wrote my CV to “practise” and then applied for jobs to “practice” – it all helps in the long-run.
"And make friends and contacts on your resettlement courses. You’re all on the same journey and can probably help each other out or offer support.”
If you’d like to find out more about the wealth of training courses available through the CTP, please click here.