Former Marine Connects to Civilian Success at Networking Event
U.S. Marine veteran Jacob Coronado transitioned into the civilian sector five years ago. Ready for his next right-fit career opportunity, he attended the Hiring Our Heroes career summit at Joint Base San Antonio last August with a plan to connect with civilian employers looking for military talent.
Understanding the value of networking, Jacob made sure to attend the summit’s networking event the evening before the hiring fair to make initial connections with some of the hiring fair employers. Coronado, who highlighted the networking reception as a favorite part of the two-day summit, noted that the reception offered a relaxed environment to connect with military-ready employers. At the event, he spent time speaking with representatives from Kiewit to learn about the culture and opportunities with the organization.
That connection proved pivotal. Coronado, now a field engineer with Kiewit, credits Hiring Our Heroes with opening the door to this opportunity. “Without the event that Hiring Our Heroes put on, I don’t think I would have been afforded this opportunity,” he said.
“Don’t undervalue your skills that you gained in the service. Once you realize how to translate your experience to the civilian world, so many new opportunities are out there for you.” Jacob Coronado, U.S. Marine Veteran
After meeting representatives from Kiewit at the networking reception, he visited their booth at the hiring fair the following day. He recalls, “I knew they were going to be a right fit for me, and they knew I would be a right fit for them as well. I literally handed him my resume, applied right then, and received my offer letter about two weeks later.”
Reflecting on his transition journey, Coronado identified the multifaceted impact of military service on civilian job searching. His Marine Corps experience delivered significant value, but he acknowledged the challenge of finding his place in the civilian world. “When you’re in the military, you can lose your sense of individual identity, and it can be difficult to find it again,” he explained. For Coronado, finding the right team and work environment was a top priority—and Kiewit delivered on both.
Kiewit recognized Coronado’s military background as a valuable asset, and he takes great pride in transitioning from a blue-collar role to a white-collar career without a college degree. His advice for other transitioning service members? “Don’t undervalue your skills that you gained in the service. Once you realize how to translate your experience to the civilian world, so many new opportunities are out there for you.”
