Feature Article:
Ken Grant - A Success Story
Repetition was key to Ken Grant’s success and advancement throughout his
two decade-long Air Force career. Out of the military since 2005, Grant
just accomplished something he hasn’t been able to for a very long time.
He started a new job. Recently hired by a Pittsburg, PA-based consulting
firm, Grant’s new work will utilize his array of skills, not only the
focus and discipline he applied to his military assignments, but the
upgrades he attained on his own since he was discharged.
“I am a Logistics Coordinator; I coordinate trouble tickets to assure
solutions are handled swiftly.” Grant’s military orientation reinforced
his ability to problem-solve, think on his feet, and adapt quickly. With
tours of duty in Korea,
Germany, and Hawaii, in addition to
domestic assignments, Grant is bringing to his new job the global
perspective many employers seek. But making that connection with an
organization that demanded what he could supply took quite a while.
Advancements in technology since 1985, when the Mississippi native began
administrative work in the military on a Selectric II typewriter, made
upgrades necessary. “Of course, I had worked with computers for much of
my military career.”Unable to transfer skills that made him a good
Master Sgt. into a civilian sector job when he first came out of the Air
Force, Grant returned to school. “At
Webster
University I got a degree
in Information Technology Management.” The degree did not immediately
open doors to employment.
One short-run job Grant held after his retirement from the military
helped him make the transition into private sector employment. “It took
me a year, and then my first job after the Air Force was with the South
Carolina Film Commission.” Grant explained his year-long contract
involved helping manage a group of employees update the visual library
from hard-copy to digital. That contract ended, but he tapped other
resources available
“When I went through Voc Rehab, Lori Ehlers sold me on the importance of
becoming A-plus Certified,” Grant said from his Blythewood home, “and
through a Creating Futures grant, I was able to take the training that
prepared me for the qualifying test.”
A-Plus Certification is an internationally validated credential that
demonstrates to prospective information technology employers a candidate
has expert knowledge of both hardware and software technologies.“I
thought it would be to my advantage, especially to be considered for
federal jobs, to have the A-Plus certification,” so Grant set himself on
a self-paced course to prepare for the certifying exams. Then, surgery
and rehabilitation after it interrupted his timeline, but he continued
studying on his own at home.
Finally, his patience and persistence paid off and he was given an
opportunity to interview with the Pittsburg company. “The preliminaries were all
handled remotely,” Grant said. “Then I was asked to come to Pittsburg to complete the
paperwork Human Resources needed. I started my new job right before
Thanksgiving."
To learn more about Ken's transition, click
here
for a webcast featuring his story.
