In our latest Employer Spotlight, we had the pleasure of speaking with Nathaneal Young, a senior HR recruiter for Leidos QTC Health Services. Nathaneal shared insights into his role, his military background, and valuable advice for veterans transitioning into civilian careers.

Nathaneal is a senior HR recruiter specializing in recruiting nurse practitioners and audiologists and handling some corporate recruitment. Leidos QTC Health Services, the nation's largest disability and occupational examiner, primarily serves the federal government, including the VA, FBI, CIA, Secret Service, and Military Reserves. With over 76 practices nationwide, they focus on providing high-quality healthcare services to military veterans and reservists.

Military Background
Nathaneal's military career as a Navy corpsman spanned nearly nine years, including hospital tours and deployments with the Marine infantry. His experiences in medical and administrative roles, particularly during the COVID-19 response, have significantly influenced his current work at Leidos.

Recruiting Veterans at Leidos
Leidos places a strong emphasis on recruiting veterans, believing that veterans provide the best service to fellow veterans due to shared experiences and understanding. Nathaneal estimates that around 25% of their staff are veterans, helping bridge the gap between military and civilian healthcare.

Top Tips for Veterans Transitioning to Civilian Jobs
Nathaneal offered three key tips for veterans seeking civilian employment:

1. **Upskilling**: Veterans should pursue industry-relevant certifications and learn the terminology of their desired field. This helps in tailoring resumes and speaking the language of the industry during job applications.

2. **Utilize Resume Services**: Services like Hire Heroes USA provide tailored resumes, which can be great foundations for job applications.

3. **View Interviews as Conversations**: Interviews should be seen as two-way conversations, not interrogations. Veterans should ask questions and engage actively, understanding that they have control over the interview process as well.

Networking and Informational Interviews
Nathaneal emphasized the importance of networking and conducting informational interviews. He shared his own experience of networking extensively, which led to multiple job offers in various fields. He encouraged veterans to reach out and build connections within their desired industries.

Further Education and Internships
Nathaneal recommended gaining real-world experience alongside academic studies for those pursuing further education. Combining education with practical experience through internships, part-time jobs, and freelance work can significantly enhance employability.

Final Thoughts
Nathaneal concluded with a call to action for veterans to engage in networking and seek out internships to build their experience. He also invited interested students to connect with him on LinkedIn and explore opportunities at Leidos through their company website.

This conversation with Nathaneal Young provides invaluable insights for veterans navigating the transition to civilian careers. It emphasizes the importance of upskilling, networking, and viewing interviews as collaborative conversations.