An Unconsidered Job: Civilian positions with the US Military

An Unconsidered Job Area That’s Taking Flight

Spotlight Online for Career Services Professionals, February 3, 2010

When it comes to college students seeking “hidden job opportunities,” the United States military is a good place to look, according to Pat Stokes, marketing specialist with the U.S. Air Force. Still, it remains largely unconsidered as a landing place for college graduates. Why?

“Most people are under the impression that to work for the Air Force you have to join the Air Force,” Stokes says. “As a civilian employee, you can serve your country without committing to military service.”

Stokes explains that the Air Force is one of the nation’s largest employers, with more than 143,000 civil service positions. And, at a time when many employers have frozen or cut their hiring, the Air Force is growing.

“In contrast to most employers, the [economy’s] impact on the Air Force has been minimal,” Stokes points out. “In fact, over the next five years, the Air Force plans to hire an additional 24,000 civilians into its work force.”

Career opportunities include positions in auditing, civil engineering, communications, contracting, education/training, financial management, intelligence, international affairs, history, logistics, medical, personnel/manpower, program management, public affairs, scientists/engineers, security, social services, and more.

Each career has its own unique requirements. To best determine what each career requires, career services practitioners should direct students to www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/afcivilianjobs and have them click on their desired career fields for specific qualifications, frequently asked questions, and directions on how to request more information. There are also instructions on how to apply for civil service jobs; information about career fields, benefits, and job searches; and other resources.

The web site includes a tab for entry-level opportunities for college graduates. Under this tab, Stokes points out, there are two Air Force internship programs for college graduates: the Palace Acquire Intern Program, for a variety of career fields, and the COPPER CAP Program, for contracting specialists only.

“These intern programs provide civilian employment opportunities for personal and professional growth in more than 20 different career fields,” Stokes says. “The intern programs offer full-time employment with a structured two- to three-year training program, putting employees on the fast track with performance-based promotions. Benefits include eligibility for $20,000 in student loan reimbursements and some locations include recruitment bonuses.”

Those students who are not interested in an intern program or who do not meet the eligibilities can click on “Search Student Jobs” to discover other educational employment opportunities, including the Student Educational Employment Program, Student Career Experience Program, apprenticeships, felowships, grants, and scholarships.

“These opportunities are available to eligible students from high school through the doctorate level,” Stokes says.

Looking for a job?

I wish each of you a happy spring break! We're taking a break from the blog until you return, but here's some important information in the meantime:

I’m sure you are aware of the economy and may be apprehensive as you prepare to graduate and think of future plans. Please know that positions are still available, especially in certain sectors. As you think about your future over the break, please let me know if CAFNR Career Services can assist you. We are glad to help with brainstorming possible employers, preparing marketing tools like résumés and interview strategies, and launching an effective job search that includes networking with alumni and friends. If you have chosen to pursue graduate school, we also have materials to help with personal statements and are glad to offer a review of statements.

Following are a couple of clips about the current economy—and what you can do about it:

No Jobs for the Class of 2009?http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/29178929#29178929

(Be sure to watch the entire video…you'll find some very good advice at the end.)

Please let me know if I can help.

-Stephanie Chipman
Director of CAFNR Career Services
chipmans@missouri.edu
573-882-0088

The Thirst for Talent

As the economy creates questions for job-hunting students and alums, we bring you another perspective on the situation. Marketing yourself is key, according to recruiter Michele Holton.

Today companies and individuals grapple with the impact of our current economic conditions. Companies are trying to balance their short term interests against their strategic, long term plans. They are making challenging decisions about their businesses and their people that they may not have had to reconcile in the previous boom times.

At the same time, individuals are struggling financially, rethinking their career choices and their expectations for the future. Added to this complexity are increasing talent shortages. The impending retirement of the Baby Boom Generation (if they can still afford to) is giving way to a new generation in the workplace that have varying expectations for their careers, their development and their relationship with their company.

For most companies, talent is the true differentiator in realizing business results. Having the right talent at the right time in the right role is imperative to success. Companies with the foresight, initiative and resources to invest in talent now, will prevail in the long term.

So what can you do now to find the right opportunity? Today, being clear about what your interests are, taking the initiative to seek out and review available opportunities, preparing for interactions with company representatives and being able to articulate your interest are all extremely important. I would also strongly suggest you pursue an internship or co-op either during or after your college career.

After a careful review, Monsanto made the decision to offer fewer of our intern/co-op and entry level roles for the upcoming year yet we still had nearly 350 openings across the US alone. Internships and co-ops are an important resource for building our pipeline of future talent. Students who access these opportunities have a first hand, realistic job preview and an opportunity to show their skills and experience the company’s culture. In our case, many of the students are converted to full time opportunities contingent upon strong performance.

When considering an internship, having a positive attitude with the flexibility to try a new location, engage diverse viewpoints along with a thirst for learning and exploration will greatly aid your success. As you begin working, an open dialog with your manager, along with a willingness to accept constructive criticism, can help ensure you fulfill your project and overall expectations. One simple behavior that can be overlooked in the quest to network and secure a full time opportunity is simply performing well in your current position by meeting the job expectations.

Also, attend the events the company provides to help you build your knowledge of the organization and your network. Besides demonstrating appreciation for the resources the company expends putting on these programs, these can be great informal ways for the company to get to know you and for you to show yourself outside of your work.

This is a hugely exciting time to be part of agriculture given the global needs related to sustainable food and energy. At Monsanto we are thrilled to be part of this and talent remains a top priority as we go forward. Click here for more information on internships, co-ops and opportunities at Monsanto.

Michele Holton is the University Relations and Employment Branding Lead at Monsanto.

Being Competitive in a TIGHT Job Market!

Recession? A Changing Marketplace? Globalization?

Special Lecture by Rick Galbreath, President of Performance Growth Partners Inc.

7 p.m.

March 5, 2009

Monsanto Auditorium, Bond Life Sciences Center

Students graduating in the next few years will face more challenges in finding and being successful in their first job out of college than has been the case in decades. Richard “Rick” Galbreath, is an internationally published author, public speaker and consultant with 30 years of experience in helping people, and the organizations they work for, become wildly successful.

Rick will cover the following success strategies:

• Knowing what you really want
• Understanding that a change is about to happen
• Appreciating and developing those things you currently take for granted
• Specific issues you need to consider to ensure your early career is not derailed.

Sponsored by MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Sciences, Division of Animal Sciences and Career Services.

Top 10 Career Types of 2008By AgCareers.com

2008 has been a year of changes for the agricultural industry. The economy alone has led to many changes in our industry, as we watched fuel cost and commodity prices quickly reach new levels! These changes led us to wonder what jobs were in the most demand during the year. So as in previous years, we developed a listing of the Top Ten Career Types posted during 2008. With our new format that we introduced late last year, we were also able to see what areas of our industry seemed to have the most activity in regards to job openings. To develop this list, we looked back at the number of jobs posted during the year and what career type and industry type was listed with each. Below are Top Ten Career Types and Industry Types of 2008.

Top 10 Industry Types

Agronomy
Crop Protection/Chemicals
Biotechnology
Equipment/Machinery
Grain
Seed
Dairy
Food/Hospitality
Beef
Feed

Top 10 Career Types

Sales
Management/Manager
Production
Marketing
Operations
Agronomist
Engineering
Research Scientist
Financial Services
Merchandiser/Trader/Broker

In looking back two years ago at our 2006 Top Ten Career list, we see some fluctuation but the majority of the careers that were in high demand have remained, only moving one or two places on the list. There are a few new careers on the list that tell the story of an industry changing to meet the demands of the changing population. Agricultural careers in Engineering, Research, Merchandising, and Trading all demonstrate an industry competing to stay ahead in developing products that are more economical and sustainable for our planet.

By combining the two lists, one can see abundant opportunities in agronomy sales, or as a district sales manager in the agronomic areas. Management positions in production and operations were also very popular in 2008. Looking at the research scientist arena, careers in plant breeding and food science were just a few of the positions frequently posted. Each year will bring exciting new career opportunities to our industry. We hope that you will continue to turn to AgCareers.com in 2009 as a source for discovering these exciting opportunities, or as your avenue to hire the perfect person for your career opening.

Please note: The information above is based on job postings throughout North America posted on AgCareers.com during 2008. AgCareers.com is the leading online job board and human resource service provider for agriculture, food, natural resources, and biotechnology.
If you are interested in posting an open position with AgCareers.com, please contact your Account Manager or the corporate office by phone at 800.929.8975 or by e-mail at agcareers@agcareers.com.

Employers Respond to National Economy

The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) has released a special report on the Job Outlook for 2009.

The survey asked employers to share their hiring projections for the Class of 2009 as of October 17, 2008. These numbers were then compared to the same figures they had projected in August 2008.

So students, what does this mean to you? With the agriculture industry projecting a decrease of 14% for projected new hires, it's time to make sure you're at the top of your game.

Head to CAFNR Career Services to make sure you are at the top of the hiring list! Our team is here to help with resumes, interviews, and any of your professional needs!

Turn up the HEAT!

Ok, I know some of you who find yourselves engulfed in the heat wave are saying, "What?!" But seriously, this is an exciting time to be in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. CAFNR Careers are hot!

I challenge anyone to pick up a current newspaper or news magazine and NOT find at least one article related to the majors in CAFNR. From biofuels to the safety of our food to medical research to the environment, career opportunities abound. I just returned from a conference last week where employers discussed how to attract the best and brightest to their open positions.

I want to emphasize how badly we need not just employees, but true leaders in our industries. I want MU CAFNR to set the standards.

Watch the following video to get my message:
http://www.simpletruths.com/a.aspx?mo=ttwd&t=2&af=132

As we prepare for CAFNR Career Day on September 26th and a very active fall recruiting season, we need to turn up the heat.