For Armed Forces Week, some of our colleagues who joined us through the armed forces pathway share some insights into the skills their military careers gave them to make the transition to a civilian role at Tetra Tech.
How did your military experience help your transition into your role here?
“This is my first role since leaving the military, and I would say that my ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively has really helped to create good working relationships amongst the team in a short amount of time.”
—Darren Clark, Senior Project Manager at Tetra Tech and former Senior Project Manager for Ministry of Defence
Have you seen any parallels between your previous army roles and life at Tetra Tech?
“I served 27 years in the Royal Engineers, 19 of which were in a technical role designing, supervising, and running concurrent projects across all the RIBA Stages. During this time, I worked alongside Tetra Tech and saw similarities in terms of ways of working and defining what ‘good’ looks like.”
—Keith Massie, Principal Project Manager at Tetra Tech, and former British Army Captain
What skills or knowledge during your time in the Armed forces have been most valuable during this transition?
“During my Army career I developed knowledge and skills as a professional engineer, project manager, and leader, all of which helped me to secure a job at Tetra Tech after my service. However, my experience working with and leading diverse teams has been most benefit as I transitioned to a civilian career.”
—Paul Johnson, Director – Project Management (DIO Account Lead) at Tetra Tech and Former Head of Defence, School of Electronic and Mechanical Engineering
How did Tetra Tech support you in your role after leaving the armed forces?
“The recruitment team have been amazing, keeping in touch regularly to provide updates on my progress and offer support when needed. My line manager, James Marr, Operations Director, and Andrew Fotherby, Managing Director, are generous with their time and knowledge, offering support and guidance when required and encouraging me to commit myself to the Army Reserve.”
—Josh Hewson, Defence Operations Coordinator, Reservist, and former British Army Senior Staff Instructor
Do you feel supported by your colleagues during this transition?
“Tetra Tech has been extremely supportive and everyone in the Project Cycle Management (PCM) team has time to help you throughout the transition process. There are also several ex-military team members who are always on hand to bounce questions off and provide reassurance when you second guess yourself.”
—Jon Taylor, Principal Project Manager at Tetra Tech, and former Royal Engineers Senior Project Manager
What advice would you give to fellow military service members looking to explore opportunities outside of the armed forces?
“Have absolute confidence in yourself. You have more transferrable skills than you realise. Having said that, be prepared to learn – the commercial world brings a whole new range of skills which you may need to get to grips with.
For many, the transition can be a big culture shock – don’t let it be so. Adapt, re-brand yourself, and enjoy your new career.”
—James Marr, Operations Director at Tetra Tech, and former British Army and New Zealand Army Logistics Major
Are you a former Armed Forces member looking to find your next career in a supportive environment that values your military experience and skillset? Explore our Armed Forces Pathway page.
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