The goal of STAR is to help make your transition from the military to the workforce as successful as possible. There are four components to the program: STAR dinners, job shadow opportunities, LinkedIn support, and local career transition support. Each component targets a specific skill that Operators need to master before entering the civilian sector. The core of STAR, however, is the network – the extended web of friends and connections that is made available to help Operators find and secure their next career path. STAR Operators must be willing to learn, grow, and push outside of established comfort zones. STAR Business Partners must be willing to mentor, guide, and connect Operators in their transition journey. Together, the connections formed by the STAR program are the key to unlocking opportunity.
Our Program
Our Goals
STAR Dinners
The STAR network gathers once per month for a dinner hosted by one of our Business Partners. These dinner events allow operators and business partners to not only meet and socialize, but listed to notable transition speakers, refine personal “elevator pitches,” practice civilian communication and interaction, understand different career paths and business opportunities, and (most importantly) build network connections.
Tampa Bay Job Links
The STAR Network is partnered with Tampa Bay Job Links (TBJL), which is a non-profit organization that provides professionals with career guidance and job-search coaching. TBJL offers veterans a comprehensive career transition program at a nominal cost. In this program you will work on:
- Résumé Building
- Informational Meetings
- Interview practice
- Salary Negotiations
- Networking
- Communication styles
- 30-Second elevator pitch
- Business / networking cards
Job Shadowing
STAR Operators are invited to shadow any of our 25+ civilian Business Partners in their places of business for a day. Opportunities include manufacturing, consulting, finance, real estate, and many others. This aspect of the STAR program is exceptionally valuable not only in helping Operators understand a day-in-the-life, but also to see if they suited for a particular career, as well as explore others first-hand.
Project Transition USA
Project Transition USA (ProjectTransitionUSA.com) provides a free monthly LinkedIn course at MacDill Air Force Base. The START Network is a proud partner of this organization, and can provide additional help for Operators in establishing an essential presence on the business networking tool LinkedIn.
