Public service is more than a career—it is a calling grounded in integrity and a commitment to protecting others. Yet, every service journey reaches a point of transition, opening the door to a new chapter. Successfully navigating this transition requires strategy, adaptability, and the ability to translate years of dedicated service into civilian opportunities.
Through Operation Career Change (OCC), ASIS International acknowledges the complexity and potential of both military-to-civilian and law enforcement-to-civilian career transitions. OCC offers a comprehensive suite of career transition resources designed to empower military and law enforcement professionals as they enter the civilian security marketplace. These tools provide strategic guidance, mentorship opportunities, and practical frameworks that bridge military experience with private sector requirements.
OCC is hosting a free three-part webinar offering expert guidance on building a strong career-transition strategy. Whether you’re more than a year from your transition or gearing up for interviews, these sessions will equip you with the tools to expand your network, build your personal brand, and secure your next opportunity.
Part 1 of the webinar series, Transforming Your Career: Laying the Foundation for Success, took place in April and is available via ASIS International’s YouTube Channel. Part 2, Elevate Your Transition—Strategic Decision-Making, Professional Associations and Certifications, and Powerful Personal Branding, is coming up on 17 June at 12 PM EST. Part 3, Mastering Your Application and Interview Success – The Art, Science, and Strategy Behind a Successful Transition will be on 12 August at 12 PM EST.
You can register for the upcoming 17 June session here, and the 12 August session here. All three sessions will be available via ASIS International’s YouTube Channel.
We sat down with Chief McKim, CPP, Theresa Bentch, CPP, Dr. Jeffrey Schwartz, Terry Owens, CPP, and Eric Kready, CPP to discuss how these sessions will set you up for long-term success.
Part 1 of the webinar series, Transforming Your Career: Laying the Foundation for Success, emphasized the importance of preparing for your transition as far in advance as possible. Terry, are there hidden advantages to early preparation?
Terry Owens, CPP: “There is a hidden advantage during the law enforcement transition that is often overlooked. It is similar to the advice that you would get from a financial advisor. Steady investment in relationships, consistent investment in yourself, and good diversification across multiple fields can give you an amazing advantage. However, you must invest time consistently just like a financial portfolio. Over the long term, it is an investment in yourself and your future success. You may not see the gains up front, but over time it will really add up.”
Theresa, when it comes to leveraging your professional network ahead of a transition, what are the first steps you recommend to building confidence and momentum?
Theresa Bentch, CPP: “Building confidence and momentum comes from exposure, relationships, and consistent engagement. For me, one of the first steps was intentionally joining professional organizations like ASIS International, ISC2, and local Women in Security groups. I didn’t just attend meetings — I volunteered to support committees and made sure I was an active participant in the community. I also made it a point to ask seasoned professionals to coffee or lunch. I approached those conversations with genuine curiosity and a desire to learn, not with the expectation that someone would hand me a job or do me a favor. I think people can tell the difference when you are sincerely interested in their experiences, perspectives, and advice versus simply trying to network transactionally. Those personal relationships became incredibly valuable because they gave me insight into private-sector culture, hiring expectations, and career paths that aren’t always obvious from the outside. They also helped me better understand how my experience and skill set translated into the corporate environment.
I believe confidence and momentum grow naturally when you focus on building authentic relationships, staying engaged, and being willing to learn. Networking is about creating trust and community over time. When you consistently show up, contribute, and remain curious, opportunities often follow.”
Dr. Schwartz, how can Operation Career Change support this momentum and other topics discussed during session 1?
Dr. Jeffrey Schwartz: “The first session reinforced landmark times for quality networking and researching what the next chapter is. We also talked about the free resources from ASIS International supporting Veteran and Law Enforcement career transitions. Perhaps most importantly, Operation Career Change and this webinar series highlights the ongoing sense of mission and purpose, and provides resources to support a successful transition into the private sector.”
Chief, you are a senior law enforcement official currently in your career transition timeline. Do you have any advice or lessons learned when it comes to preparing for the transition?
Chief McKim, CPP: “For confidence building, audit your existing network for valuable perspectives. Specifically, identify "two-hat" connections - those who have made the transition from police/military service into the private sector. These contacts speak both languages and can serve as interpreters for your journey. If I may be so bold, I'd suggest a guy like Terry Owens, who has transitioned from policing to private protection rather successfully.
Next, assess other assets in your network. You're not starting from scratch. You've had interactions with security types along your way. These people are familiar with your work ethic and learning capabilities. With them there is no pressure of a "first impression."
To maintain momentum, I'll start with a DON'T.
DON'T lead with a job request. Instead, consider information gathering over job-seeking. (And P.S. - it's never too soon).
DO reach out to your network with a clear and low-pressure goal: the informational interview. Ask them for 15 minutes to share their perspective on the corporate landscape, and how you might fit in. You can learn a lot in a focused interview.
Ask the right questions. "What's keeping corporate security leaders awake at night?" or “What nomenclature or KPI's might a public safety professional overlook in the private sector?" And my personal favorite: "What should I be asking that I have not asked?"
Gain momentum with a couple of pro tips. First, lose the jargon. Many in the corporate world don't follow "cop-talk," and when they don't understand what you're trying to communicate, it's off-putting. Learn their language! Second, identify the gap. Listen for specific pain points your private-security-leader contacts mention. Use your experience in threat assessment, crisis management, and leadership to mentally map how you might address the problem.
Leveraging one's network is not about asking for favors; it’s market research. Security and public safety have a lot in common. You must listen and translate your skills to build the professional confidence you'll need in the corporate boardroom.”
Coming up in Part 2 of the webinar series on 17 June, you will discuss the value of professional certifications and association memberships. Eric, how has your ASIS membership been of value to you in your own career journey or opened doors that might not have been available otherwise?
Eric Kready, CPP: I made the fundamental mistake of not getting involved in civilian professional organizations until I had already retired from military service. This put me way behind the proverbial 8-ball. Seeing the endless benefits of being involved in a professional organization is what inspired me to do everything I can to educate the military and first responders serving today who will all eventually make their journey to “Chapter 2”. I’m very happy to say that I see far more actively serving military and law enforcement professionals in ASIS than I did 10+ years ago when I set my new beginning. And let’s not sugar-coat the situation… the job market is brutal. There are hundreds, nay, thousands of qualified professionals for every opportunity. How can you differentiate yourself from the masses? By being board-certified in your chosen profession! If you want to show that you’re at the top of your career field in experience and expertise, prove it by having that designation.
As we look ahead, what can participants expect in Part 3 of this series, and how does the full three-part program come together to provide a holistic guide to career transition, whether someone is moving from the military and law enforcement, or navigating a career shift more generally?
Eric Kready, CPP: Part 3 of this series will zero in on the most crucial phase of the career transition timeline. Our entire series discusses the integral components of a sound career transition strategy overlayed with how Operation Career Change supports this process. Delivering these sessions with discussions by experts in various topics yields a presentation that is second to none. The third and final session will include a world-renown leader of the premier executive search firm in the security and intelligence vertical, a seasoned talent acquisition professional for a global tech company, and the winner of the People’s Choice Award for “World’s Best Resume Writer.” All three sessions are a must-see for anyone serious about planning for a successful career transition journey.
