A Successful Transition To A Civilian Career

Jon Mocan spent five years as a computer Network Administrator in the U.S. Marine Corps. Jon has some great stories of keeping a computer network running in combat situations in Iraq. He tells stories of harrowing experiences in a casual almost humorous way.

In 2005, back in the States and out of the service because he wanted to provide a better life for his wife and their baby son, Jon was trying to make the transition to a civilian I.T. career.

With a wealth of I.T. experience and the ability to stay calm in a tough situation, Jon found himself begging for jobs that were far below his qualifications. No matter how hard he tried he could not get a civilian employer to take him seriously as an I.T. professional.

Jon feels that civilian employers often look down on experience gained in the military, believing it is not up to civilian standards. Most Vets know this syndrome and have fought with it before. In frustration Jon decided to get some education.

He enrolled in an on-line college degree program, but found that it was a long road to get to work. Then he found New Horizons Career Center.

Jon was impressed with the focused, intense training. As a military Vet he was used to intense focused training and he knew that he would do well in the pressurized environment in the Career Program. He was also impressed with how quickly he could get certified and employed through New Horizons’ program.

What really convinced Jon was the reputation and relationships that New Horizons has built with Portland area employers over the last 27 years. He knew that he would not only be able to get certified through the Career Center, he would be able to make valuable contact with I.T. people from a broad range of employers.

Jon was fortunate to have G.I. Bill funding for his education and the accelerated payment program helped him afford the tuition. Soon Jon was back in the fast-paced, intense I.T. environment that he loves and well on his way to a new career.

Jon, like most Marines, is able to focus intensely on his goals and he did well in the program. It was not easy, trying to support his small family and learn what he needed to learn at the same time. Strong support from his wife and a firm commitment to his goal got him through and soon he was graduating from the program as a Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA), with several other certifications under his belt.

Hitting the job market with his new certs, Jon found things were different. Now he was taken seriously as an I.T. professional and he had made good contacts in the industry. The job search was still challenging and Jon was frustrated as employers now were willing to offer him work, but often only on short term contracts.

Jon persevered and continued to build experience through contract positions until he found just the right fit for his new career. Now he is working for the largest military contracting firm in the United States and he is running computer networks for a large government agency in southern Oregon.

Jon loves his new career and is settling into a new town where he feels his son will have an opportunity to grow up in a good environment. Jon says, “By far New Horizons was the best choice for me. It not only gave me the skills and the certs, but the JOB! That is the key thing; they are so networked in the community.”

Thanks for that vote of confidence, Jon, but everyone knows it was you who did the work and you who got the job. We’re only glad we could help.