Afghanistan veteran Sarah Johnstone has forged a new career using her experience of moving into civvy street to help others going through similar transitions.
The former Royal Artillery officer, who served for seven years, has spent the past five years working as a money coach.
She was drawn in to the military world by the Officers’ Training Corps and joined the army because she was attracted by the opportunity of doing something unique and with a strong identity.
Her career took her to Afghanistan three times and to the Falklands. Her last posting was to the ISAF headquarters in Kabul. “There is a good chance I might have stayed a bit longer if I’d not had a life change on the personal front,” she says.
But she’d met the person she wanted to spend her life with and when the RAF posted him to France, she made the decision to go with him. When they returned to the UK she realised she needed to get stuck into a resettlement programme. Her interest was in financial services – her dad had been an accountant – and she was able to get onto a veterans’ internship through the Officers’ Association.
She now works with Octopus Money, which recently signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant, and helps people deal with budgeting and mapping out their financial futures. Some clients need help after going through dramatic life changes.
She found the firm listed on a website for working mums and decided it would suit her because she was looking for f lexibility – something many military spouses and partners seek. She also liked its ethos.
Preparing for transition
Having been through the process, Sarah has some useful advice for personnel coming to the end of their service and thinking about making the leap.
● Using your resettlement time wisely is key. When it comes to finding a new career or direction in civvy street, preparation and approach are important. “It’s very easy to come out of a long stint in the forces and think it’s up to companies to come to you,” she says.
● Think about how your experience and skills will translate to a new environment. She suggests: “Ask yourself what you valued in the forces – what’s pulling you in or pushing you out?”
● Don’t be shy about networking before you leave. Contact people you know who have left and moved into an industry you’re interested in joining. Find out how they’ve fared and pick up tips from them. Exposure to as many options and people who might be able to help you is valuable, whether family, friends or someone you went to school with.
● One way to find out what your future career might be is to try work experience or an internship. There’s no substitute for getting a feel for a job. Afterwards, if you realise a role is not for you, don’t be afraid to say so.
Sarah believes the biggest barrier for many is simply the change – not knowing what is out there in the civilian world, especially if you’ve never worked in it.
Dealing with personal finances after leaving the military can also be difficult. You can find out about the cost of living and what sort of things you’re going to need to pay for by asking family or friends who have already left.
Where to go for help
There are a range of resources for those leaving the military to move into civilian employment and training.
The Career Transition Partnership is the official resettlement service for the UK armed forces, offering courses, employment fairs and advice. Go to modctp.co.uk for details.
Discover My Benefits has information about eligibility, grants and programmes. Visit tinyurl.com/DiscoverMB
Help and signposting is also available from the Royal British Legion at tinyurl.com/ RBLsupport The Forces Employment Charity is another organisation offering service leavers career support at forcesemployment.org.uk
You can find out more about Octopus Money at octopusmoney.com