Resettlement success

Mark J - Chief Technician

"Despite what you think, a lot of your basic military training skills can be transferred to any teaching role, even if you were not in a training/teaching role within the military."

Background
Mark J left the RAF in late 2012, having reached a point in his career at which he felt ready to move on to a new civilian role. During his 26 year RAF career, Mark says that he most enjoyed ‘sport and interaction with my fellow peers and team’; he also gained extensive experience in management, organisation and planning, along with a level 4 qualification in Management & Organisation, and planned to use these skills in a teaching role.

Resettlement
Mark attended a three day Career Transition Workshop prior to leaving the Service, and says it was, ‘a well balanced course, that all should attend.’ Using the job-finding advice given on the course, Mark researched job vacancies online, and also used the CTP’s job-finding website RightJob. He eventually found a position advertised on the England Hockey website. Having already undertaken previous hockey coaching roles, Mark felt confident that he would be able to transfer these skills into the new role.

Mark applied for the job with two CV’s, one work-based and another hockey-based. Although not initially shortlisted for the position, Mark received a call two days after the main interviews took place and was asked to attend an interview. He says the process was extensive: ‘The interview lasted five hours, inclusive of interviews with Head Teacher, Deputy Head Teacher and Heads of Department, and two one-hour practical sessions with pupils of under 8 years old and under 17 years old.’

Outcome
Mark was successful in the process, and now works as Master of Hockey at Wisbech Grammar School in Cambridgeshire. The role includes ‘lesson planning, match and event organisation, advice and individual fitness and skill-based planning.’ Mark says, ‘alongside my main role, I act as part of a support team for Duke of Edinburgh Awards, organising and attending outdoor events.’

Although Mark says he initially faced obstacles understanding and integrating into the school environment, he is now well settled, and uses many of his military skills on a daily basis, including, ‘organisation and planning skills, time management, appraisal writing, feedback and interview techniques, discipline and respect.’ Mark plans to enhance his teaching skills further as he progresses in the role.

Mark’s advice to other Service leavers looking to develop a career in teaching is: ‘Despite what you think, a lot of your basic military training skills can be transferred to any teaching role, even if you were not in a training/teaching role within the military.’