Jun 1, 2020
This week, Colonel Ted Studdard joins host Mike Abrams to talk about his personal transition experience after serving 29 years in the Marine Corps; share the three elements that should form the foundation of your job search; and discuss actionable advice for making intentional decisions about your life and career after the military.
Ted began his service as a Private and would go on to retire 29 years later as a Colonel. His Marine service included leading an artillery platoon in combat, teaching tactics and leadership at the Marine Corps University, and planning and directing combat operations for a 20,000-person multi-national force. He participated in international negotiations and worked on national security strategy in the Pentagon.
After suffering a heart attack, Ted faced new challenges—retiring and charting a new path. Post retirement, he transitioned to his second career with The Home Depot, a company whose values aligned with his own. Ted has held positions of increasing responsibility in field operations, corporate leadership training, talent acquisition and staffing, and business to business operations. These roles have given him a unique perspective on optimizing human capital in Corporate America.
Ted has appeared as a featured guest on national TV, radio, and podcasts. He is a published author; his book, Depot to Depot, hit shelves in the Fall of 2019.
As a complement to his book, Ted wrote a free military transition workbook called, “Take Time to Think” in order to help as many transitioning veterans as possible. The free workbook is available to download here.
Ted speaks to a variety of audiences about individual and organizational leadership ranging from junior leaders to executives. Ted also educates business leaders and their HR partners about the value veterans bring to the civilian workforce and how to best incorporate them into Corporate America.
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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