We’ve Pivoted: Veterans Edition

On December 3, 2025, Pete Brennan (Career Growth & Employee Engagement Advisor,  ReLAUNCH Advisors), Brendan Stickles (Vice President, Government Affairs, O2X Human Performance), and Christopher White (Regional Director, Africa, Spirit of America) spoke to the Pivot with Purpose community to discuss their career transitions and offer tips and tricks for veterans seeking to transform their careers. Olivia McQuail moderated the event, and Carla Koppell provided additional commentary.

This session was the second of a two-part, two-day mini series dedicated to all veterans in our community. It was also the This session was the fourth in our “We’ve Pivoted!” seminar series, designed to offer attendees insights and tangible advice concerning the experiences of those among us who have transitioned into new careers successfully.

All of the panelists are veterans who have pivoted into meaningful roles beyond the armed forces. They also all agreed that veterans have the skills, background, and expertise needed to thrive in a variety or roles.

Whether you are eager to pursue opportunities in the private sector, pay it forward with a philanthropic nonprofit, continue to serve within the public sphere, or compelled to continue your education, there are numerous options to consider!

Unfortunately, all the panelists stressed the career transitions were easier said than done. Many companies do not have a firm understanding of veteran experience and how it can translate to their work. Likewise, many veterans lack the support and training needed to translate their skills to different sectors. Considering those issues and pairing them with what is, undeniably, a tough job market and the recipe for a difficult career pivot is set.

Indeed, Brendan Stickles spoke at length about his preparedness for a career transition, admitting that he underestimated how challenging changing careers can be. Though he—as well as his fellow panelists—discussed his experience to help prepare others for their own job searching journeys, he stressed that the primary point of this remarks was to offer tangible, evidence-based tips and tricks to better identify and pursue new job opportunities.

One tip that all featured speakers highlighted was to expand your network and leverage it to your advantage. At this point, it is a cliché, but the importance of networking cannot be underestimated. The majority of job-seekers who successfully find new career opportunities do so through their personal and professional connections.

Here, Pete Brennan’s story is especially insightful. Upon completing his military service, he admitted to feeling “lost” and “unsure of what how to find his next career.” Without a clear direction or identified passion, he did what he knew best: he met with people who could help. Whether it was old friends, “weak” ties, or complete strangers, the networking he did after his service was critical to him finding work with Walmart in their supply chain department.

Through his network, he was able to find a new career path, better identify his skills and values, and prepare himself for future career pivots—all of which he is using today as he navigates his next career change.

Second, the panelists were unified in their belief that it is crucial to identify your core skills and lean on your passions to direct your job searching efforts. For Stickles, leaning on his skills and passion were central to his success forging a new career at O2X Human Performance.

What started as a “side-hustle” offering leadership and stress management training to employees became a true vocation: to lean on his natural inclination to provide public service, but in a private sector context. In other words, it is important to leverage your skills, lean on your passion, and use your network to reinvent your career while staying true to yourself. When you pursue your most genuine interests, you will come across to potential employers in a positive light.

Finally, according to Christopher White, there is an element of risk-taking that is natural in this process. For him, it was not only a pivot away from public service to the private sector, but a shift into an entirely new professional sector: the nonprofit space. In his experience—especially as he transitioned into a new career space—maintaining a strong focus on networking was paramount.

Especially under challenging circumstances across the job market, growing and leveraging your networks to identify and pursue new opportunities—and, at times, to take novel risks into new career fields—is vital to your success.

He also stated that as you transform your career and pivot away from military service, it is important to remember how huge this change may be. It is not only a pivot away from one career to another, it may also be one that shifts your focus from public service to an entirely new mission.

You have all served with honor and integrity. While transitioning out of the armed services can be daunting, it is not impossible. You all have the skills and background needed to thrive in a variety of career fields. It’s now time to explore where your skills and experience can take you next!

Other Previous Sessions

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