Mar 30, 2020
This week we welcome non-governmental organization leader and former U.S. Army intelligence analyst Cassy L. Cox. Cassy transitioned from active service to a role in the private sector as a corporate recruiter, first with a small start-up headhunting firm and then with a large accounting firm. Feeling a bit unfulfilled, she decided to take an 80% pay cut to join an American international non-profit, called the International Rescue Committee (IRC), whose work began with and remains focused on refugees and displaced persons.
Between 2009 and 2015, Cassy worked for the IRC on refugee and IDP programming in the United States, Liberia, Kenya and South Sudan. Cassy then transitioned to be the Programmes Director in Somalia for Concern Worldwide, an Irish international non-profit organization that works to reach the most vulnerable populations across the globe. In this role, Cassy covered all humanitarian sectors including education, cash assistance, women’s empowerment, and internally displaced persons.
Cassy is currently the Strategy Lead for DataKind, a non-profit organization based in New York City, that harnesses the power of the world’s most talented volunteer data scientists to solve some of the world’s largest problems.
In this episode, Lindsey and Cassy discuss finding meaning and purpose in one’s career, the non-governmental organization industry as a career option, and some of the challenges Cassy faced as a transitioning female veteran.
ABOUT US
Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace.
General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat.
But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.
FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.
Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, FourBlock founder, director of the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration, and author of two military transition books. He’ll be representing the military transition perspective.
Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey will be representing the civilian perspective of this issue.
Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/
Over 77% of FourBlock alumni stay at their first jobs over 12 months. Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate.
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