Cameron-brooks

E225: Avoid the Career Do-Over - Transition Rule #5 When it comes to transitioning from the military to the business world, you want to avoid the career do-over. Many officers define a successful transition by landing that first post-military job. At Cameron-Brooks, we define the transition not by accepting a job. We define a successful transition as 3-4 years down the road when you’ve transitioned from a military leader into a business leader with a track record of results. That’s why Rule #5 in our Career Transition Playbook is: Avoid the Career Do-Over. Joining me is Lauren Kordzik, one of our Principals on the client side of our business, joined me to discuss the Career Do-Overs as she spends her time working with JMOs in our program at the Conference and in the Follow-Up Process. Lauren works closely with our client companies and has deep insight into what companies are looking for in high-performing JMOs. She also spends most of her time between conferences working with our Alumni who have successfull

Beau Hughes – HF Sinclair: Corporate Procurement Leader It was an absolute pleasure to have my good friend, Beau Hughes, join me on the PCS to Corporate America Podcast. Beau works for HF Sinclair as a Procurement Supervisor in their Corporate Procurement team.  Find out how Beau went from JMO to Corporate Procurement Leader in our latest podcast. Beau was one of the first JMOs I had the opportunity to work with when I joined Cameron-Brooks in 2023. Since then, we’ve grown close, and I’ve enjoyed watching him build a successful life and career after the Army. A former U.S. Army Logistics Officer, Beau launched his corporate career in November 2023 with HF Sinclair in Tulsa, OK. Right after accepting the offer through the November 2023 Career Conference, Beau and his wife welcomed their son into the world. Since then, things haven’t slowed down. Within his first year, Beau earned a promotion and returned to a Career Conference as a hiring manager, where he hired another Cameron-Brooks Alumnus. Beau’s transitio

E223: Transition Rule #4 – Past Success ≠ Future Success Why do we say, "Past success does not equal future success?" This episode is for those transitioning JMOs who have experienced past success in the military and are working towards business leadership careers. Also, it is for those who have tasted success in the military and who want to avoid missteps in the transition. I teamed up with Tim Kirchner, and together we cover the following topics: Ego vs. Authentic-Self The ways past success can create a sense of comfort, control, and security. How it can make us feel like we've "arrived". How it can cloud our judgment and decision-making skills. Different ways we naturally tend to lose focus and get caught up in urgent and daily tasks, and how those things can get in the way of our goals. I share my experience and how I struggled with an unhealthy belief of "being owed" something in my next chapter. Being clear about your desired result and the value of seeking guidance and adopting a grow

April 2025 Post-Conference Review: Leadership in an Uncertain Market Our April 2025 Post-Conference Review is live! The officers who attended the Career Conference have officially completed the follow-up process and made important career decisions. Over the last four weeks, they met with hiring managers from companies across the country, both virtually and in person. These meetings gave them a deeper look at company cultures, job responsibilities, and long-term opportunities. We are incredibly proud of how each candidate showed up with strong preparation, professionalism, and leadership. Despite ongoing economic challenges, including inflation, tariffs, and supply chain issues, companies continue to invest in top leadership talent. Every company at the conference came ready to hire. The strong pursuit rate and average number of interviews per candidate reflect the high level of preparation and performance shown by our JMOs. Their ability to communicate clearly, think critically, and adapt quickly helped them

Transitioning from the military to business brings immense opportunities and new challenges. While you bring valuable skills from your service, focusing on personal well-being and the importance of self-care is crucial for effective leadership in your next career. In this podcast, I interview Sarah Draper about how learning to pause, meditate, and spending time in silence are tools for self-care.  Dr. Adrian Popa, podcast guest from Episode 213, introduced me to Sarah through her 2024 TEDx talk. Sarah is a former FBI agent, a graduate of West Point, and an Army veteran. Today, she operates her own leadership and consulting practice.  Sarah emphasizes that truly serving others as a leader requires taking care of yourself first. She notes a past belief in service-oriented cultures that self-care is selfish, but this leads to a cumulative negative impact of burnout. Burnout, characterized by exhaustion, lack of professional efficacy, and sometimes cynicism, is a real risk. When leaders neglect themselves, the

This episode is for JMOs who are ready to transition and don’t want to take a step back in their next business career. In it, we: Define who this is for: JMOs aiming to lead and take on greater responsibility in a Business Leadership Career. Explain the "Traditional Career Search": Glassdoor, LinkedIn, Indeed, USAJOBS, etc. Define the "Non-Traditional Career Search." Explore why JMOs often default to the traditional approach. Share key takeaways and closing thoughts. JMOs are traditional candidates for defense-sector roles, but in the private sector, they are seen as non-traditional candidates. That is why Transition Rule #3 is: Throw Out the Traditional Career Search if you are aiming for upward mobility in business leadership. What is the "Traditional Career Search"? Searching based on past experience: “I have this experience in this industry,” or “I have this degree.” This focuses on what you have done, not your potential for leadership growth. Narrowing your options by w

Develop an Investment Mindset: Why This Tip Matters As a Junior Military Officer, your military experience has shaped how you think, lead, and solve problems. But when it comes to your next step, developing an investment mindset for a military transition can be just as important as your skill set. That’s why Transition Tip #2 is: Develop an Investment Mindset. At Cameron-Brooks, we’ve seen this mindset make all the difference. It’s about shifting your focus from the short-term to the long-term, from immediate comfort to future growth. In our recent episode, I sat down with Joel Junker and Tim Kirchner to dig into this idea and explain why it’s so valuable. What Is an Investment Mindset? Joel explains that an investment mindset means viewing your career the same way you’d approach a financial investment. You wouldn’t expect instant results from your retirement savings. Instead, you plan, stay patient, and make steady progress toward long-term returns. The same thinking applies to your career. You may need to

Why Is Transition Rule #1 - Don't Do It Alone? When talking about the transition, why did we make Transition Rule #1 -Don't Do It Alone?  At Cameron-Brooks, we’ve spent nearly 50 years helping Junior Military Officers (JMOs) make this transition successfully. A lot has changed in 50 years, and there is one thing for certain: There is so much information out there. There are a lot of resources and people out there who want to help you. We’ve developed 6 Rules for the JMO Military to Business Transition to help break through the vast amounts of information and organize it for you. These rules provide a framework and a structure to help you gather information, plan, prepare and help educate you on your options outside of the military. In this episode, we’re joined by Tim Kirchner, who has spent 20+ years in the recruiting Industry. He’s a key team member and leader at Cameron-Brooks. What is unique about Tim is that he’s seen both sides. He’s been at Cameron-Brooks for the last six years and has helped thousands

Our January 2025 Post Conference Review is live, and I always look forward to the weeks following a Career Conference and visiting with our recent alumni. It’s the culmination of an incredible amount of effort both from the candidates and our team. Seeing these talented JMOs, some having spent over two years in the Cameron-Brooks Development and Preparation Program, receive offers and make career decisions is nothing short of inspiring. It’s not just about the job offers; it’s about the journey. The relationships built. The challenges overcome. The lessons learned. Watching LinkedIn light up with posts from our alumni celebrating their new careers, surrounded by the support of their community, is one of the best parts of my job. To all the JMOs, client companies, and the entire Cameron-Brooks team—thank you for making another Career Conference a success! And most importantly, congratulations to the January 2025 Candidates and Companies! The Panel In this episode, I sat down with three recent Cameron-Brooks a

Leaving the structured world of the military for the uncertainty of civilian life can be a daunting task. In this episode of the PCS to Corporate America Podcast, I speak with Mike Sweeney, a former Army junior military officer (JMO) who successfully navigated this transition over 20 years ago. Mike shares his insights and experiences on how defining goals, embracing preparation, and learning lead to career success.  He offers invaluable advice to those currently preparing for their own transition. The Importance of Preparation Mike emphasizes the importance of preparation, particularly when it comes to interviewing. Drawing parallels to the meticulous practice routine of comedian Jerry Seinfeld, Mike stresses the need for JMOs to practice and rehearse their interview responses and specifically highlights the need to master the answer to "Tell me about yourself.” This preparation helps build confidence and allows one to be authentic in the interview. Defining Your "Good Employment Offer" Beyond acing int

Learn how Fran Lawler went from JMO to C-Suite. This former officer is an incredibly successful leader. She is a 1995 West Point Graduate, served six successful years in the Army as a Medical Service Corps Officer, and transitioned to a business career in 2001 through Cameron-Brooks. She earned her MBA at Harvard and has held high-level human resources roles, including several Chief Human Resources Officer positions. She recently founded her own leadership consulting and coaching company, Harvest Cove Talent Partners. Fran is also the first officer I recruited to participate in the Cameron-Brooks program. I met her in Leesville, LA, just outside Fort Polk, LA (now Fort Johnson) in May 2000. She agreed to be a podcast guest to share her experience and leadership lessons. She shares her incredible story, filled with lessons on resilience, adaptability, and the pursuit of personal growth. Fran’s insights shed light on what it takes to lead with authenticity and impact. Identify Personal Purpose A pivotal moment

Welcome back to another Post-Conference Recap. For the November 2024 Career Conference, we had three of our most recent alumni on a webcast to share their experiences about the Cameron-Brooks process and where they chose to launch their careers. Aine Armstrong – LT, Navy Supply Officer Maria Blom – CPT, Army Engineer Officer Haadi Elsaawy – LT, Navy Surface Warfare Officer They each offered great advice and perspective to other military officers who are preparing to transition. In this conversation, we cover many topics around some of the following questions: November 2024 Conference Statistics Economy Update Developmental opportunities at the November 2025 Career Conference Interview preparation tips and techniques Did the opportunities at the Career Conference meet your salary expectations? Why did you choose a partnership with Cameron-Brooks? What were the conversations like with these Hiring Managers? Study Groups Tips to Ace the Interview! And much more! I think these Career Con

Welcome to another episode of the PCS to Corporate America Podcast. This is a special episode for me. I recently completed my MA in Organizational Leadership at Gonzaga University. I significantly changed as a leader and person as a result of this program. The Leadership and Hardiness class co-taught by Dr. Adrian Popa and Kelsey Solberg, which I took this past summer, particularly impacted me. Dr. Popa and Kelsey graciously allowed me to interview them for this podcast. In a world of constant change and challenges, resilience, and hardiness are critical qualities for leaders navigating transitions. Dr. Popa, Kelsey, and I dive deep into these themes.   This episode is packed with insights for those transitioning from military service to civilian careers or simply seeking greater purpose in their work. Below are key highlights from this enlightening conversation.   Exploring the Foundations of Resilience Dr. Popa opens the podcast with a personal reflection on his childhood in Eastern Europe under a co

Happy Holidays from the Cameron-Brooks Team! In this podcast, Cameron-Brooks team members from our company's candidate and client sides share lessons from 2024 and what we look forward to in 2025. As usual, you will hear from Transition Coaches Brock Dudley and me (Joel Junker), as well as two new voices from our client side, Lauren Kordzik and Megan Miller. We will feature them more in our 2025 podcasts.   Below are some highlights from the podcast. Learning and Preparation Extends Beyond the Transition One of the key takeaways from the discussion is the importance of preparation—not just for the interviews but for the entire journey. We emphasize that understanding the business landscape is just as crucial as understanding your strengths and interests. Your path might have been clearly defined in the military, but in business, you need to proactively shape your career. This shift requires continuous learning and growth, and we provide practical tips to help you to do so. These tips include: Be curiou

In July of this year, I climbed Mount Adams in southern Washington, just across the Columbia River from Hood River, OR. I did this climb as a part of my Leadership and Hardiness class at Gonzaga University for a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership. I complete my degree four days after this podcast publishes! I learned much from my classmates, Team Denali, whom I prepared and climbed with, and my instructors. While climbing posed a significant physical challenge, I discovered the most profound life and leadership lessons during this climb. My colleague Brock Dudley interviewed me to draw out those lessons and share them in this podcast. We cover the following lessons: Beyond Goal Setting: The Value of Presence We often get caught up in pursuing goals, striving to reach the next milestone or achievement. I struggle with this tendency, prioritizing tasks and objectives over personal connections. However, my experience at Mount Adams and my studies in Organizational Leadership at Gonzaga University re

As we reflect on what makes Cameron-Brooks not just a company, but a community, one word comes to mind: gratitude. Every day, we are reminded of the extraordinary individuals who make our mission possible, and today, we pause to acknowledge the contributions that drive our success. We’re grateful for the dedication of our team. At Cameron-Brooks, every role is crucial, and the commitment our team members bring to empowering leaders is nothing short of inspiring. From preparing candidates for their transition to connecting companies with top-tier talent, your efforts make an immeasurable impact. We’re grateful for the trust and partnership of our candidates. Transitioning from the military to the corporate world is a significant journey, and we’re honored to guide each individual through this process. Your courage, ambition, and openness to growth are what make our work so meaningful. We’re grateful for the companies with whom we partner. Your confidence in our ability to provide exceptional tale

What does a post-military career in Operations look like? In today’s fast-paced and competitive business landscape, companies must find ways to optimize their operations, minimize costs, and meet customer expectations more effectively. The competitive advantage for any company is getting the right product, to the right customer, for the right price, at the right time by using the most cost-effective means. In this episode, we're fortunate to enough to bring back four former JMO's and Cameron-Brooks Alumni who are leading in the Operations and Supply Chain Management Career Fields to discuss their experiences, common misconceptions, and concepts like the integrated supply chain and why it is essential for sustainable growth and gaining the competitive advantage. What is Operations and Supply Chain Management? The Operations Career Field encompasses all activities in Supply Chain Management and involves leading teams of people in: Inventory Management, Warehousing, Distribution Management, Logistics, Transporta

Roughly half of the military officers who attend a Cameron-Brooks Career Conference are married when they are PCS'ing to Corporate America. Though we do not measure it, my guess is another 25% of the unmarried officers are in a serious relationship where their significant other plays a major role in the transition. Making the move is a team effort and a big deal. We know that firsthand because every former military officer who works at Cameron-Brook was married when we made the move from the military to the business world.  That is why Cameron-Brooks puts a significant premium on inviting spouses and significant others to participate in the process and create pathways to ensure that can happen. In this episode, you will meet Richard and Shelby Snyder. Richard is a former Army Field Artillery officer. He graduated from West Point in 2014 and spent 10 years in the Army. He recently attended the June 2024 Cameron-Brooks Career Conference and launched his career at Corning, Inc. I really enjoyed working with Ric

Welcome back to another Post-Conference Review. For the August 2024 Career Conference, we had three of our most recent alumni on a webcast to share their experiences about the Cameron-Brook process and where they chose to launch their careers. Marina Muenster - LT, Navy Nuclear Surface Warfare Officer Ryan De Franco  - LT, Naval Aviator David Lara - CPT, Army Air Defense Artillery I started the webcast by asking one question, then went for the questions that the attendees on the webcast asked of the panelists. My question to the group was, "What was your biggest surprise from the Career Conference?" They each offered great advice and perspective to other military officers who are preparing to transition. Prepare Ryan said he put so much time into preparing to interview that when the time came, he spent less time thinking about the tactical nature of answering interview questions and more time listening, reflecting and delivering specific answers. This allowed him to focus his answer on the unique aspects

Joel and I teamed up to talk about one of our favorite topics: Leadership! As some may know, Joel is currently a graduate student in the Gonzaga Master of Organizational Leadership program. He’s taken a couple of classes in heartiness and resiliency and read the book Leading at the Edge by Dennis Perkins, so I gave it a read! In this episode, we discuss a couple of key leadership strategies that Shackleton exemplified, and Perkins identifies in his book through extensive research and a life dedicated to learning about leadership. Dennis Perkins has spent a major part of his life trying to understand what it really means to be a leader – particularly under conditions of adversity, ambiguity, and change. His passion to understand the art of leadership began at the United States Naval Academy. He went on to commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and serve as a Company Commander in Vietnam. His leadership “post-graduate” education continued well past the USMC. Perkins went onto atte