Tips to Help Veterans Build a Career in Tourism

As tourism recovers after the COVID-19 pandemic, it offers an excellent career opportunity for veterans aiming to get back to civilian life.

Twenty-seven percent of veterans find it difficult to readjust to civilian life once their military career is over, according to a study by the Pew Research Center.

Service-related injuries, psychological trauma, and lack of college education are some of the main reasons why so many veterans are struggling to rejoin society. One way to make it easier for yourself is by finding a good job. Not only does working provide a source of income, but it also gives you a sense of purpose and something to dedicate your physical and mental capabilities to.

One of the best industries for veterans to work in is the tourism industry, which directly supports more than 8.9 million jobs. The following are four tips to help you land a good job in the tourism industry as a veteran and truly thrive. 

Look for translatable skills 

After years of military service, there are many skills you may possess that could be valuable to various professions within the tourism industry. For example, if you were a linguist or a high-ranking official in the army, you can probably make an excellent tour guide since you can easily communicate with people from different parts of the world.

Similarly, if you were a corporal, you can make a good manager supervising a group of workers in the same way you used to supervise service members. Once you know which skills you have to work with, you can then find jobs in the tourism industry that align with them. 

Get firsthand experience as a tourist 

Before working in the tourism industry, you can benefit a lot from being a tourist yourself. Your experience as a tourist can teach you about the local and global tourism industry, such as the different types of jobs available, the roles of different players in the industry, the things you like or don't like as a tourist, and the things different players in the industry are doing right or wrong.

You can take trips alone or with your family to both local and international destinations, paying close attention to everything you come across. While on your adventures, be sure to prepare for any eventuality For example, always choose safe destinations to travel to and if you are traveling with a child that has any type of food allergy, have your injectors, antihistamines, or any other anti-allergic medication they need. 

Get the required education 

A lot of jobs in the tourism industry have some educational requirements that not many veterans have. If you have the time and motivation, you can get the necessary education to qualify for the job you want.

Luckily, learning is much easier and faster nowadays with many reputable universities offering online accelerated degree programs. You can also find a job that allows you to work part-time as you study. 

Don't be afraid to ask for help 

A lot of military training revolves around becoming more self-reliant. However, for a successful transition into civilian life, you will need to rely on the help of many people.

Start by using your immediate connections like friends, family members, neighbors, and other veterans who may have contacts in the tourism industry or any valuable information about it.

You can also find a reliable mentor who can guide you and help you learn the ins and outs of various jobs in the tourism industry. 

After years of service in the military, it's normal to find yourself struggling to rejoin civilian life. Luckily, the tourism industry has plenty of job opportunities that will not only help you readjust to normal life but can also be a key source of livelihood for you and your family for many years to come. 

By Lucy Wyndham

For companies interested in hiring veterans, it’s important to ensure your company's culture is veteran-friendly. Then you can confidently begin advertising jobs for veterans and recruiting the top talent your company deserves.