Military Mondays: Transitioning from the Military into a Civilian Job

For the very first Military Monday column, we have Emma from Smile as it Happens, to talk about job opportunities post-military life.

Starting Your Second Career: How to Transition from the Military


Adjusting to civilian life after a career in the military can be a challenge no matter how long you served. You want to find great employment, but you might be overwhelmed especially given the recovering economy. Rest assured that you can find your dream job in the civilian workforce. It will take time, but many employers value the skills and attributes that you learned and developed while in the military. I'm here to debunk four common myths associated with the job hunt so that you enter the civilian workforce with confidence.

Myth #1: I won't be able to get a job doing what I did in the service.
Truth: You have many desirable qualities for employers all over the country. Your dedication, commitment and leadership skills will be valuable assets during your job hunt. If you want to find jobs that specifically speak to your role in the military, then there are tools designed just for that purpose. The Skills Translator feature on Military.com allows you to enter specific career information like rank, branch and pay grade to determine your corresponding civilian career.

Myth #2: It's hard to apply for a job and takes too long.
Truth: Technology has streamlined the job application process. Top employers around the country rely on digital application services to make applying easier and much more convenient. Some companies have even partnered with services like JIBE, a mobile recruiting company that lets you upload resumes and supporting documents from your smartphone and connect directly with a company's social media site. You'll be able to find a great job in no time with technology at your side.


Myth #3: Asking questions during an interview is a waste of time.
Truth: At the end of an interview, most interviewers will ask if you have any questions for them. It isn't a trick, and it isn't a waste of time. Keep in mind that you're in control of the situation: You should find out what you can about the company just as they're asking about you. Spend some time researching the company, and ask what you really want to know. Your interviewers will be impressed if they feel that you're genuinely interested in their company.


Myth #4: If I want to start and maintain a successful business, then I'm on my own because there aren't any resources available to me.

Truth: Many veterans choose to start their civilian careers as entrepreneurs, and if you want to branch out and start a business, then you have many options. Inc.com offers business advice specifically for military veterans. You can find information on financing, marketing, legal forms and a full list of resources on starting and maintaining a successful business. You're not alone when it comes to getting great business advice, and this valuable resource provides comprehensive information.

Emma is a mid 20-something year old with a passion for life, love, fitness, and helping others. She loves to be active and get involved in as many sport and community activities as possible. Emma is currently studying to become a Career & Life Coach, and loves to network with people from around the world! Check out Emma’s blog at http://smileasithappens.blogspot.com/!

If you'd like to contribute a post to the Military Mondays column, e-mail me at erskine.kimberly@gmail.com

Semi-Charmed Summer 2013 Book Challenge

From Megan's Blog:

The Semi-Charmed Book Challenge is back for summer 2013! The challenge will follow the same rules as the winter 2013 challenge, and it will run from July 1 to September 30. See below for the full list of rules and categories, and thanks to all my readers who submitted category ideas!

Rules:

• The challenge will run from July 1, 2013, to September 30, 2013. No books that are started before 12 a.m. on July 1 or finished after 11:59 p.m. on September 30 will count.
• No re-reads (unless specifically stated)! I want you to experience new books with this challenge.
• Each book must be at least 200 pages long. Audiobooks are fine, as long as the print versions meet the page requirements.
• A book can only be used for one category. If you want to switch the category later, that's fine, just be sure to account for that in your point total.
• The highest possible total is 200 points, and the first five people who finish the challenge will win a featured/guest post on Semi-Charmed Kind of Life. Good luck!

The Challenge:

5 points: Freebie! Read any book you'd like, as long as it follows the above rules. :)
5:  Read a book that is less than 150 pages long. (Yes, this is an exception to the general rules! You're welcome haha.)
10: Read a book with a color in the title. Submitted by Erinn of it's the journey on Twitter.
10: Read a book that is not the first in its series. (And yes, it must be in a series.)
15: Read a book it seems everyone but you has read! Submitted by Brighton of Dear Brighton on Twitter.
15: Read a banned book. (For consistency's sake, the book must be found on one of these lists. See the links in the first paragraph for book lists.)
20: Read a book written by a celebrity. This can be a memoir or a fiction book published by someone who was already famous by another means (e.g. James Franco). Submitted by Brighton of Dear Brighton on Twitter.
20: Read a non-fiction book that is not a memoir. It can be pure non-fiction or narrative non-fiction. Submitted by Blair's Head Band on Twitter.
20: Read a book that takes place in a state you have never been in. If you have been to all 50 states, choose a book that takes place in a country you have never been in. Also do the latter option if you are not American.
25: Read a book that is at least 400 pages long.
25: Read a book with a main character who shares your first name. If you have an uncommon name and really can't find a book, let me know and we can come up with an alternative. :) Submitted by Erinn of it's the journey on Twitter.**
30: Read a book written by an author who was born in or died in your birth year.****

**Edited to add: I've decided to amend this category to allow nicknames of your first name and alternate spellings of your first name. I recognize this category is difficult and I don't want anyone to give up looking! :)
****This category was also amended after the original posting when I discovered too many participants were unable to find an author born in their birth year. This website will help you find authors who were born in or died in a specific year.

How to keep track: Megan will post a check-in on the first day of every month, on which you can comment with your progress. She will also include the scoreboard from the previous month on each check-in post. The first check-in post will be Thursday, August 1. Megan will also host a link-up on Monday, July 1, if anyone wants to share their preliminary reading list for the challenge (see an example post from one of my previous challenges here).



I'll be sure to write up how I'll participate in the challenge very soon!

The Lightbearers Book Review

This book review is my own personal opinion and one that I was not paid for, instead I was allowed a free copy of the book for the review.  I am by no means a professional book reviewer, I just enjoy a good read.

The Lightbearers by Nora M. Garcia is a captivating novel that brings the reader into the plot right away.  The action starts with a sinister plot that the reader doesn't quite have a full grasp on, except that we know that an evil scientist, Dr. Natas is involved.  The protagonist, Jean Crystal and her husband George are determined to foil Dr. Natas' evil plans but Garcia's story works within the difficult circumstances of society.  Dr. Natas has created a cyber school run completely by robots and with a target of elementary school children.  Promising parents that their children will not only develop faster than other children their age but be certified geniuses, Dr. Natas' test schools thrive, much to the dismay of Jean and her husband.  What's not quite explained right away is that Jean is able to transcend from her body through extreme meditation.  Instead, the reader is introduced through various descriptions of Jean leaving her physical state, which is an interesting and incredibly curious concept within itself.  Within a few chapters in, the background story is covered where King Akhenaton and Nefertiti, Egyptian royalty, are invited to be Lightbearers.  Lightbearers are guardians of the human race and to enlighten any whose path they cross. Through reincarnation, during each of their lifetimes, they strive to overcome violence, greed and injustice and in each lifetime they leave  individuals with whom they have shared their secrets of life and death and to carry on the mission (from the Goodreads synopsis).  It's quite good stuff.  Readers will cheer on Jean and George as they figure out how to save the world from the dark plans of Dr. Natas.

I liked this book right away and the thing about book reviews of lesser known books is that it can always be a toss up.  However, Garcia has an incredible imagination and a power for storytelling.  One of my critiques with this is that sometimes she tried to tell too much in too little of space.  Jean's ability to transcend her physical state wasn't explained much later and so the reader is left to question if Jean is a spy or a government work, etc.  Jean is a teacher who cares about human compassion and understanding human needs.  She's also a Lightbearer.  I think it was an interesting format for the story to start right away and then give some background to it, but I also think it would have been great to have those chapters serve as a prologue.  Garcia spent a lot of time explaining that concept, which as the reader, was much appreciated.  The aspect of Lightbearers being able to meditate so deeply that they could leave their physical bodies to reincarnate was pretty cool and added such dimension to the story.  I felt like I was watching a movie as I read through the book.

Some of the characters were introduced really quickly and then cut out a little too soon.  In order to get to the next major concept, I felt like Garcia rushed certain aspects and relationships with characters.  In one chapter, there was a focus on Jean and George's previous life in which they were a French family and it provided more background information on being a Lightbearer but had little to do with the plot.  Dr. Natas' bond with his new son was also an important relationship but I also felt that his marriage was awkwardly intertwined throughout the last chapters.  I could see the importance of covering how unsociable this man was and how negative that can impact a society, especially when it comes to creating schools based on this mentality, however it just felt awkward to me.

Overall I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars.  I really liked the story and it's one that grabs your imagination and runs with it.  I would love to see this made into a movie, but it would definitely need finetuning.  There's a lot of action and great characters, plus it will make the reader wish they were a lightbearer.

  

Saturday Morning Post: Fireworks, Fishbowls, & Goats Milk Shampoo

 

1// Went to the Crooked Tree and had a scrumptious red velvet cupcake.
2// A quote that I value, especially with my military career field.
3// We've thoroughly been enjoying nights out with friends and I can't wait to share my new outlook on this small town.
4// Fish bowls!
5// Holly and Blu are always running around like little kids. They definitely keep me on my toes and so far, everything is looking good from Blu's most recent vet visit.
6// Been working hard at the gym and building up tone and muscle.
7// Saving money this 4th by creating paper fan decor for the front porch.
8// It wouldn't be the 4th without having the opportunity to decorate my nails.  So glad to have had a few days off.
9// My recent trip to our outstanding Farmer's Market had me coming home with a 3 for $10 deal on goat's milk soap.  I've been trying the shampoo bar and I really love it.
10// The outdoor pool on base is open and I've been taking full advantage of the lap swim times.
11//  & 12// Red velvet cake and white cake with blue color from Michael's.  Look at that pigmentation- love it!
13// My plum Jelly cat bunny came in (a gift from Ryan) and I still have yet to name it.  I will forever be a kid at heart. I love stuffed animals.
14// My flag cake! The outside looked atrocious due to the frosting causing pieces of cake to crumble but the inside looked amazing!
15// Charmed life is a new swap that Jessica from Living La Vida Holoka and myself will soon have up and running.  Thursday there will be more information and the start of a 2-week registration.  The focus will be on women sharing their stories with one another and swapping a charm that represents an aspect of their life, a favorite memory, or anything significant to them.

The Badonkadonk Shorts Controversy

To give you some perspective on my body with this story

Two days ago, I went to Target and was just doing the usual exploration of aisles to see where Target could easily scoop $20 out of me, when I came across a pair of shorts for a little over $5.  $5!! The pair of cute patterned shorts, however, was significantly larger than my normal size.  I decided to try them on anyways.  I was a little reluctant because I guess I was really fixated on that number but when I tried the shorts on, they covered my butt perfectly.  I knew that right then and there, regardless of the size that was on the tag, I was going to buy them.  The interesting thing is that I can pull the waistband out over 6 inches, no joke.  What was frustrating was that I had to get a pair of shorts that were 8 sizes "too big" in order for them to fit my tush properly without them turning into apple-bottom jeans.  Which made think of all of the times I've gone shorts shopping and how much I dread it, including pants.  A size 1/2 at GAP is not the same 1/2 at Hollister.  I remember going to Target last year and finding a great rack of shorts where I tried on two different pairs from this display and they fit well and covered the butt.  So I bought several more pairs in the different patterns.  Terrible mistake!  Each pair, despite being the same "brand" and on the same display fit completely differently than the first two I had tried on and all were a size 3.  Many of the pairs felt like I was suctioning my ass in.  Technically my waist fits a size 3, but if I actually want my butt covered than I need to go up in sizes and that's just to have it covered.  If I want them to fit nicely and not painted on, then that's a few more sizes up as well.  If I want more material to hang off instead of being snug, again more sizes up.

The types of shorts that I want

The types of shorts I feel like are only available for my age category

I feel like women's clothing is an art.  There's a certain skill to create clothing that is form fitting but not overly snug and more importantly doesn't make a woman feel suffocated.  For one of my friends, her employer requires that the staff wear shorts with only a couple inches off of the knee, aka bermuda shorts.  It's really difficult to find attractive bermuda shorts and the shorts that are considered attractive have only a few inches of cloth in the front and back, yet are worth $20-$30.  They're not covering, they're overly tight, and they're expensive despite the lack of material.  A couple pairs in, and you've spent over a $100 for uncomfortable clothing.

How has shopping for summer clothing been for other bloggers and readers out there?