Former U.S. Navy Surface Warfare Officer, Kristen Alexander, shares how outreach and dialogue can create multiple post-military career opportunities.
Summary
Retired U.S. Navy Surface Warfare Officer Kristen Alexander served on the USS Sampson and USS Pearl Harbor before becoming the first experimentation officer at the Surface and Mine Warfare Development Center in San Diego.
Her duties included developing a course of study to train surface warfare officers in tactics proficiency. Kristen was also responsible for collaborating with industry and academia to identify new technologies and tactics to help close warfighting capability gaps.
Kristen had been exposed to various organizations and networks throughout her military career, which ultimately led to career opportunities in civilian life. Her plan to transition out of the Navy was public, and companies interested in Kristen’s skills reached out. She received multiple job offers and ultimately accepted a position as a researcher at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab.
She also discusses why having a timeline going into transition can assist with post-military career planning.
Episode Highlights
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02:14 – 09:13 Kristen’s US Navy active-duty career.
09:15 – 36:25 The decision to transition out of the military and how connections and networks lead to opportunities.
36:26 – 39:19 Lessons learned and finding balance.
Your Move
Have you ordered your copy of Make Your Move?
“Make Your Move is a pure joy to read! Gene Moran writes in a simple educational way that is both entertaining storytelling and mentoring wrapped up in one. His book helps set the stage to prepare anyone separating from the service no matter how long they were on active duty. His stories enlighten and spark a sense of, “Oh, that’s what I need to do! My only advice for future readers, don’t wait until you are preparing to get out of the service to buy this book. Instead, buy it while you are still in and heed the advice along the rest of your journey. Thus, setting yourself up for success well in advance. I wish I had a book like this much earlier in my career!” – Jeffrey H.
All proceeds for the book go to Freedom Fighter Outdoors.
- Ready to chart your post-military career? Order your copy of Make Your Move here.
- Connect with Kristen Alexander on LinkedIn here.
