Marisol didn’t follow the traditional path in the Navy. After enlisting and then becoming an officer in the Nurse Corps she wanted a change and switched from nursing to Intel. She shares what led her to the military and how her focus helped her become an officer and then switch to the Intel career field. Today she is working to help other veterans write their resumes and find their next career through her business Secret Squirrel Consulting LLC.
From Nursing to Intel
Marisol wanted to go to college but didn’t have the money to afford it. She decided to join the Navy instead. Once in she started working toward her degree using tuition assistance with the goal of becoming a Nurse in the Navy. She applied for an ROTC scholarship and after completing a program called BOOST she was able to go to school in Jacksonville, Florida. There she got her degree in nursing and earned her military commission.
Nursing in the Navy
She started working as a surgical nurse but wanted to work in the ER so she volunteered every time they needed someone in the ER. Because of this she was able to transfer to the ER about a year after beginning her nursing career. After a few years she was burnt out and looking for something different. She applied for a new career field in the Navy and initially got a lot of resistance from the Nurse Corps, but after three tries was accepted into the Intel community.
From Nurse to Intel
She switched from nursing to intel and began her career. Even though she didn’t know all the terms for intel she was able to use the leadership skills she learned from her time in nursing. She enjoyed her time in Intel and at 20 years of service she left the military.
Transitioning out of the military
She took some time off when she left the military and got her Project Management Certification. Shortly after getting her PMP she was able to find a job. She had to leave the job after six months because her husband, who is still in the military, got a new assignment. After moving her former company reached out for the possibility of a remote career as a recruiter. She wasn’t sure about the opportunity but decided to try it. It led to her starting her own business to help veterans write their resumes and navigate the job search programs. She is a wealth of knowledge and you can set up a call with her here.
