Getting out of the military can be a daunting experience if you don’t have a plan for what comes next. You’ll face many challenges along the way, and some of them will be even more difficult to get through if you didn’t play your cards right while you were in the military. But as long as you’re in a position to continue working, you shouldn’t worry – you’re already better off than the large majority of people in your situation!
Freelancing is a good option for those with particular sets of skills who don’t want to tie themselves down to a single employer. It’s also relatively easy to get started as a freelancer nowadays, thanks to the internet. It’s in your best interest to explore what this field has to offer for you.
Choosing the Right Niche
As a freelancer, your niche is going to be the most important thing about your business, so you should take the time to pick it carefully. Not every field is the same in terms of earning potential – far from it, in fact. A writer can have a relatively easy time starting out, but it can be very difficult to stand out in the long run and make a name for yourself. On the other hand, as a software developer, your competition will be much more limited, but you’ll also have a much higher barrier of entry to overcome before you can even get started. Go with the skills you’ve acquired and try to stay within those bounds.
Military Aid Programs
The government can also make it easier to improve yourself for the needs of your business. If you need extra education, take a look at some NEC military friendly programs – there are lots of those available nowadays, and they can easily help you bridge the gap of knowledge that you may have. Don’t underestimate the importance of good education though. This is one of the biggest problems that up-and-coming entrepreneurs tend to make, especially in the freelancing field.
The Importance of Networking in the Military
Another major mistake you can make is to exit the military with no contacts. Much like college, this is a great place to develop new relationships with people and set yourself up for later on in this regard. The ones that see the most success after getting out are usually those that know how important it is to develop a network of contacts and use it to its full potential once they’re out. If you do this right, you’re going to have people who can assist you with pretty much every aspect of your freelancing business.
Remember that this will take time as well. You’ll have to be patient, and keep paying attention to what you’re doing. The freelancing market can move at a very rapid pace, and it’s crucial that you have the ability to follow it properly. Otherwise, you’re going to find your business swept away before you can even realize what’s going on – and you’ll be far from the first this has happened to.
