'85 Alumnus Pens Book Highlighting How to Transition From Military to Civilian Work World
August 9, 2021 | John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business and Innovation News
In his new book, Military Career Transition: Insights from the Employer Side of the Desk, coach, advisor, human resources executive, U.S. Army veteran and 1985 alumnus of the John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business and Innovation, William E. “Bill” Kieffer shares over 150 insights that will help readers successfully make the critical transition from the military to the civilian work world.
Kieffer has worked with hundreds of service members, veterans and other individuals and organizations around the globe regarding career transition, leadership development, performance improvement and talent and business strategy. He is active in the Toledo community, having been twice appointed and thrice elected to public office. Kieffer was honored to present “Investing in the Middle” at TEDx Toledo in 2017.
With over 22 years of experience on “the employers’ side of the desk," Kieffer offers an invaluable perspective rarely heard in military career transition circles - the employer’s view. These exceptional insights are organized into five highly interrelated topics: General Business Insights, Culture, Transition, Networking and Talent Acquisition, Recruiting and Interviewing. These provide critical “intelligence preparation of the career battlefield” to close the culture gap between veterans and employers and help readers make the most of their transition and post-service opportunities.
"Whether one enlistment or a 30-year career, military veterans did something very few people do. They volunteered to serve our great country," said Kieffer. "They endured rigorous training, long days and for many, the difficulties of deployment. The military changed them. They learned. They grew. The world changed too — as it always does."
Having experience as a transitioned service member, an employer and as a coach/advisor himself, Kieffer shares his insights in a common-sense, relatable way that gets to the heart of the matter and focuses on action and applicability in Military Career Transition: Insights from the Employer Side of the Desk. Each insight is covered individually for easy reference. Many include stories, experiences and graphics to really drive them home.
"Whether they loved, hated, embraced or endured their time in service, one thing most veterans agree on is that the military does a pretty darn good job of preparing people to do their job," said Kieffer. "Now, on the back end of military service, veterans are facing an entirely new world with an entirely new culture, norms and expectations. For some, this transition will be a piece of cake. For most service members, however, career transition is a challenging time that may lead to extended periods of unemployment and high rates of under-employment."
To get your copy of William E. “Bill” Kieffer's book on how veterans can successfully transition from the military to the civilian work world, please click here.
