Veterans are fulfilling their career ambitions with Capgemini

Transitioning to a new career after serving in the military isn’t just about a change of jobs. It's bigger than that. According to veterans, it often feels like leaving a tight-knit band of brothers for teams of colleagues working across different disciplines.

Capgemini asked its veterans about swapping service in the armed forces for civilian life with Capgemini, and how they have flourished.

Here, Capgemini UK's April Young shares her story.

Being in the military might only be the first part of your career

In the UK, April Young leads a proposal management team for Capgemini’s work with a public sector client. She joined the British Army in 1998 and served as a linguist and protective security specialist with the Royal Signals and Intelligence Corps.

“I joined the Army straight from college and after I left worked for a security assurance company,” she says. “But Capgemini is different, especially in the support you get to grow as an individual.

“I’ve had mentors who have provided fantastic support. But I’m also the kind of person who will put myself forward and say ‘I want to do this’, and it’s good to be able to take that ownership. I’ve always had that drive to want to take things on. That can-do attitude is something everyone in the military has to have.”

April has now become a mentor herself, a mental health champion and is active in giving back to various schools programs. She also volunteers with Capgemini’s Veterans Employee Resource Group (VERG). The group was founded in the US with a mission to help veterans pursue and grow their careers at Capgemini.

“We wanted to take the idea and do something over here in the UK,” says April. “The idea is to be a network of support to each other, and to raise awareness across the company of the knowledge and skills you gain when you’re in the forces. We’ve also been working on the Armed Forces Covenant, which supports serving soldiers and veterans.

“I’m passionate about giving something back, whether that’s with veterans, children in schools or with the fantastic women we have here at Capgemini. Seeing people’s confidence build, whatever their starting point, is always rewarding. And remember, being in the military might only be the first part of your career as a whole.”

Capgemini military / veterans