Many of the skills that veterans gain during service can be transferred into any civilian career. However, for some careers, what you do while on active duty can further prepare you for life outside the military. This is especially true for Marine Corps Communications Officer Carly Donner, who combined her love for STEM with a military career in cybersecurity. We had the privilege of speaking with Donner to discuss cybersecurity and transitioning and how they complement each other.
Tell us about your military service.
I was commissioned from the Naval Academy in 2018 and became a Marine Corps Communications Officer. At my first two units in Okinawa, Japan, I held several different communications billets, ending with being a battalion S-6 and supporting voice, data and radio communications for command elements in Japan while supporting countries up to the Top Secret level.
Currently, I am the Executive Officer for Recruiting Station Salt Lake City. We have one of the largest geographical recruiting areas in Marine Corps Recruiting Command, covering 265,000 square miles and six states. I supervise a broad range of programs, including the NROTC Scholarship, facilities, budget, marketing and community outreach, school relations, admin and more. Given my current billet and my crazy travel schedule, I needed a master’s program with flexibility. Western Governors University had one of the few master’s programs that was entirely adaptable to my schedule while offering IT certificate vouchers embedded within the program. It allowed me to stay relevant in my primary MOS even with an impacted schedule.
What inspired you to work in cybersecurity?
I have always been interested in STEM fields and majored in systems engineering (now called robotics and control systems engineering) in college. When I became a Marine Corps officer, I chose communications because I enjoyed understanding the technical side of how IT actually worked. It is a versatile MOS that everyone relies on and needs.
How did the military prepare you for a successful career in your industry?
While I am still on active duty, I think the Marine Corps has provided me with a great baseline to be successful in cybersecurity and IT both in the military and once I leave the service, especially if I decide to stay in the same field. I have been through several MOS-related courses through the Marines and received vouchers to obtain my Security+ and Network+ certificates.
As a Communications Officer, I gained on-the-job experience by leading dozens of Marines, managing numerous networks and operating and maintaining hundreds of expensive and sensitive equipment pieces. In addition, without having to touch my GI Bill, I used tuition assistance military benefits to pay for my cybersecurity master’s with Western Governors University.
Finally, the networking and coordination skills I have developed by working with numerous organizations, commands and agencies are well developed from my diverse military experiences. If I leave the service tomorrow, I have no worries about being well-prepared to succeed in the civilian sector.
Cybersecurity remains one of the most popular fields for military veterans. What makes it a natural fit?
I have seen many Marines with and without prior IT experience choose that career path once they separate. I think many veterans like cybersecurity and IT because they developed skills in fixing things and making things work in the military, which translates well to troubleshooting similar problems outside the military. The military also stresses the importance of not only physical security but also electronic and cybersecurity, which applies to any business or operation on the civilian side.
Why should veterans consider cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity is a very dynamic job field. The technology, practices and equipment are constantly changing, so you will never get bored, and you will continually learn new things and find better ways to get things done.
What advice would you give to a transitioning veteran?
For transitioning veterans interested in cybersecurity and IT, in order to get the best opportunities, aim to obtain industry-recognized IT certificates, on-the-job experience and higher education in the field before you transition. It is an extremely technical field, so having all three of those things will ensure that you are the most competitive.
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