Cox Communications is pleased to partner with Hiring our Heroes to provide help and support to veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses as they find meaningful employment opportunities outside of their military careers. Through the Corporate Fellowship Program, Cox is providing on–the–job training and helping our service members bridge the gap between their military service and civilian careers. Here, we’re learning about January 2021 fellow Tony Ho.
Before being accepted to Cox’s Hiring Our Heroes program, Tony Ho spent six years of active duty as a Surface Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy.
“I served onboard USS McFaul (stationed in Norfolk, VA) as the Main Propulsion Officer and was forward deployed to Mine Countermeasures Squadron Seven (stationed in Sasebo, Japan) as the Assistant Operation Officer and Force Protection Officer,” Tony said.
Like many veterans adapting to civilian jobs, Tony believes one of the biggest challenges is differences in corporate versus military communication styles, as well as getting adjusted to better work-life balance.
“We have gotten so used to our jargon that others may not understand in the civilian workforce, and life has been so highly structured over the years that we now have to step back from it,” he said.
Tony, who resides in Norfolk and will continue to serve in the reserves, is working in field operations at Cox Communications during his January 2021 Hiring Our Heroes fellowship. He said that his favorite part about being a Cox employee is the company culture.
“From day one, I have felt like I was a part of the team and ultimately a part of the family,” Tony said, “In the military, the mission was important, but taking care of your sailors was even more important to me. Finding a company that truly cares for their employees can be hard to come by, and it has been refreshing to find at Cox.”
If he could give advice to other transitioning military members, Tony said that he would recommend networking, staying humble and knowing their value.
“If you don’t know something, don’t be afraid to ask for help,” he said. “You will be amazed at the amount of people that will go out their way to help you understand something when you are up front about things. Know your value, but also be humble enough to know that you may have to work your way back up into a leadership position. Listen, learn, adjust and make your actions do the talking.”
Click here to learn more about Cox’s support of the military community.
Cox Communications is pleased to partner with Hiring our Heroes to provide help and support to veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses as they find meaningful employment opportunities outside of their military careers. Through the Corporate Fellowship Program, Cox is providing on–the–job training and helping our service members bridge the gap between their military service and civilian careers. Here, we’re learning about January 2021 fellow Erich Braasch.
Erich Braasch’s military service began 20 years ago, when he became an F-16 fighter aircraft mechanic.
The first half of his military career was largely technical, as he learned about the F-16 aircraft and how to maintain it.
“As I began to go up in rank, I was put in more managerial type roles, supervising lower ranking team members,” Erich said.
This unity of technical and managerial expertise makes Erich a great fit for Cox’s Hiring Our Heroes program. As one of the January 2021 fellows, Erich is a Service Assurance Technician and works remotely from Charleston, SC.
“I really enjoy meeting all the new people in the company and learning from them,” he said. “They genuinely want to help you and for you to be successful at what you do. If someone can’t help you, they will make sure to find someone that can help. Also, just learning about the Cox family and all the opportunities they have to offer has been interesting to me. I’m really excited to learn that Cox has been named a Top Workplace for 2021!”
Erich said that one of his challenges in shifting to a civilian job has been learning a whole new set of skills.
“I’m making a big decision to shift gears and do something totally different from what I’ve been doing in the military for the past 20 years, as an aircraft mechanic, and stepping into a communications/IT field. I’ve realized that I’m becoming more and more interested in the IT realm as technology is advancing at such a rapid pace now. Cox has taken the time and given me the opportunity to learn something totally new with quality training, which is building my confidence with this new experience.”
Erich has two pieces of advice for transitioning veterans.
“My advice would be to be open to new ways of thinking outside of a military setting,” he said. “You won’t be in the military anymore after you finish your service, but don’t forget all the lessons and soft skills learned throughout your military career as those will help you be successful. Also, to network, network, network. Networking is vital when trying to navigate civilian jobs, in my opinion.”
Click here to learn more about Cox’s support of the military community.
Cox Communications is pleased to partner with Hiring our Heroes to provide help and support to veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses as they find meaningful employment opportunities outside of their military careers. Through the Corporate Fellowship Program, Cox is providing on–the–job training and helping our service members bridge the gap between their military service and civilian careers. Here, we’re learning about January 2021 fellow Lee Crawford.
Lee Crawford served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years. During his service he was an aircraft mechanic, working on multiple aircraft while stationed at Aviano, Italy, Louisiana, Virginia, South Korea and Florida.
“After that I switched jobs to become an aircrew member on two different types of remotely piloted aircraft and on the KC-10 tanker refueler at Nevada and Northern California,” Lee said.
Lee became a part of Cox’s Hiring Our Heroes corporate fellowship in January 2021 and is currently a Network Operations Center Technician in Suwanee, GA.
Lee loves the process of problem-solving alongside his Cox coworkers.
“Aside from working and interacting with very smart and amazing people every day, I would say learning how to clear or escalate a ticket with the help or fellow co-worker as we problem solve together has been my favorite part about working at Cox so far,” Lee said.
He has found the process of trying a different career path to be rewarding and encourages other transitioning military service members to try something new too.
“One piece of advice I like to give is to not be afraid to do something completely different from your military jobs, because you will never know, it could become an amazing path to a wonderful new career,” Lee said.
Transitioning to a civilian life has a lot of hurdles. Even having good work-life balance is something to get used to (in a good way!), since military service limited him from participating in major events and milestones in his family members’ lives.
“Hiring Our Heroes has helped us by setting up good resources and networking opportunities and guest speakers to kind of tell us what to expect and how to navigate out in the civilian sector,” Lee said. “Cox has helped with the transition by training us with dedicated trainers and mentors, daily and weekly check-ups and just making us feel welcomed and comfortable.”
Click here to learn more about Cox’s support of the military community.
Cox Communications is pleased to partner with Hiring our Heroes to provide help and support to veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses as they find meaningful employment opportunities outside of their military careers. Through the Corporate Fellowship Program, Cox is providing on–the–job training and helping our service members bridge the gap between their military service and civilian careers. Here, we’re learning about January 2021 fellow Tony Grandprey.
Military service is a tradition in Tony Grandprey’s family.
When Tony decided to enlist in the Marine reserves as an infantryman, he was following in the footsteps of three older brothers who also served.
Tony committed to a commissioning program and spent more than seven years on active duty as an infantry officer. After two deployments, he was assigned to the Marine school of infantry, where he spent another three years managing curriculum development for the Marine Corps’ entry-level population and leading instructors in student training operations.
“It’s funny how diverse a career can be in the military,” Tony said. “Looking back at my experiences outside of the hours and hours of training exercises and planning sessions, there are some pretty unique moments. Fortunately, I was never called to combat but I’ve become quite appreciative of what a single sentence rolling across the bottom of the screen on CNN or Fox News could really mean. Regardless, I am thankful for these experiences because they’ve given me years of experience leading cross–functional teams in dynamic and constantly changing environments.”
Now a January 2021 member of Cox’s Hiring Our Heroes program, Tony resides in Boise, ID and works in field technical project management at Cox Communications.
“Hiring Our Heroes is flooding me with resources and connections for those who’ve been in my shoes recently and are willing to help,” Tony said. “The Engineering Management Office (EMO) of Cox first started helping by identifying my skillset and experience as a possible solution to some of their current challenges. It also allowed me to immerse myself into another culture and increase my overall skills by learning from a larger pool of diverse talent.”
Tony has found networking to be a valuable exercise during his transition to a civilian career.
“If someone is willing to share their story with you over a cup of coffee (or similar event), take the opportunity,” he advises fellow veterans. “I’ve spoken to a lot of vets and learned something new every time. It’s also how I found out about Hiring Our Heroes and contributed to my decision to pursue the program and accept a fellowship opportunity with Cox.”
He added that team camaraderie has made for a pleasant experience as a new employee.
“Although we are virtual, I feel incredibly welcomed to the team and am quickly developing personal connections with the group.”
Click here to learn more about Cox’s support of the military community.
Cox Communications is pleased to partner with Hiring our Heroes to provide help and support to veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses as they find meaningful employment opportunities outside of their military careers. Through the Corporate Fellowship Program, Cox is providing on–the–job training and helping our service members bridge the gap between their military service and civilian careers. Here, we’re learning about January 2021 fellow Daryl Porter.
Daryl Porter has a long and decorated history with the U.S. Marine Corps.
In his almost 24 years in the military, Daryl was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three gold stars, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with three gold stars, and more. With special expertise and experience in Avionics, Daryl most recently served as the VMFA-323 Avionics Chief and as well as the MALS-11 Lean Six Sigma AIRSpeed Chief.
Now he’s transitioning to civilian life in San Diego, CA and is part of Cox’s first class of Hiring Our Heroes fellows for 2021.
Daryl, who is working in field technical project management at Cox Communications, said that transitioning to a civilian job is not easy and cited the interview process as one of the more challenging aspects for veterans.
“Often, being from the military, we can be somewhat rigid in our communication,” Daryl said. “We just don’t know what to expect and we don’t know how we will be perceived or received. When we joined the military, we sat and listened to a recruiter. The recruiter did a lot of the talking and asked screening questions. When we interview for a civilian position, we must take the challenge head on but be ourselves at the same time.”
Daryl added that Cox’s corporate fellowship program through Hiring Our Heroes has helped make the transition easier.
“Cox Communications has welcomed us fellows with open arms,” he said “We have been given a lot of freedom to express our thoughts and to display our professional and technical abilities. Several managers within Cox Communications have provided guidance for how to manage as a civilian as well as how we can fit in potential jobs across Cox Enterprises.”
His favorite part about working at Cox? The people.
“Cox employees are extremely helpful, polite, straightforward and encouraging,” Daryl said. “I cannot thank the people within the Engineering Management Office at Cox Communications enough for the help and support that they have provided us.”
Click here to learn more about Cox’s support of the military community.
This summer, Cox Communications is pleased to partner with Hiring our Heroes to provide help and support to veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses as they find meaningful employment opportunities outside of their military careers. Through the Corporate Fellowship Program, Cox is providing on the job training and helping our service members bridge the gap between their military service and civilian careers.
We sat down, virtually of course, with some of those participants to see how their time at Cox is going and what advice they have for others in the military who are looking to begin their civilian careers. Today, hear from Petty Officer First Class Torrance C. Boniface.
Q: Can you tell me a little bit about your military careers?
T: I served on Active Duty in the Navy for 22 years as a Damage Controlman. I’ve been on 10 deployments having explored various parts of the world.
Q: What are some of the challenges you and other members of the military face when trying to get civilian jobs?
T: One challenge I faced, and most members will face, is the adjustment to the civilian workforce culture. It can be hard to separate from the military way of operating when we work with civilians.
Q: How are Hiring Our Heroes and Cox helping to solve some of those challenges?
T: Hiring our Heroes have been great, they provided me with resources for mentoring and pairing me with someone that could help guide me in the manner. With Cox Enterprises, I love it. Every employee I’ve done a side by side with have been wonderful, they make you feel welcome, and a part of the family and seems to love it very much and it helps ease the communication battle from military to civilian.
Q: Is there any advice you would like to give to other military professionals who are looking for civilian jobs?
T: Success does not fall into anyone’s lap, you must set your goals, plan and strategize, and execute your plan to accomplish those goals. In the most encouraging words of Dr. Martin L King Jr. “If you can’t fly-run, if you can’t run-walk, if you walk-crawl, but by all means keep moving.”
Q: How has your experience been with Cox so far?
T: My experience with Cox so far has been good. I love the environment and culture even though we haven’t been to the office yet, but it feels like family. I can tell you that I have been treated well with a lot of support since arriving to the Cox family.
Thanks to Petty Officer Torrance C. Boniface for his time and sharing his story. Click here to read more stories about life at Cox or visit our Veterans page to learn more.
This summer, Cox Communications is pleased to partner with Hiring our Heroes to provide help and support to veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses as they find meaningful employment opportunities outside of their military careers. Through the Corporate Fellowship Program, Cox is providing on the job training and helping our service members bridge the gap between their military service and civilian careers.
We sat down, virtually of course, with some of those participants to see how their time at Cox is going and what advice they have for others in the military who are looking to begin their civilian careers. Today, hear from Master Sergeant Jamila C. Ayala.
Q: Can you tell me a little bit about your military careers?
J: I served 24 years in the Army in the enlisted corps and am retiring as a Master Sergeant. Most of that time was as a mechanic and then maintenance supervisor, but I also performed supply, training, and personnel management functions. Over the years, I have developed my organization, time efficiency, communications, problem solving, and leadership skills. Which have all assisted me during my transition. But there have still been some challenges.
Q: What are some of the challenges you and other members of the military face when trying to get civilian jobs?
J: I would say some of the biggest challenges we face are trying to decide what we actually want to do with the next chapter of our lives, how to articulate and translate what we did in the military into civilian language and adjusting our expectations because we essentially have to learn a new trade. But the partnership between Hiring Our Heroes and Cox Communications has been wonderful.
Q: How are Hiring Our Heroes and Cox helping to solve some of those challenges?
J: Hiring Our Heroes provides training on civilian employment cultures and standards and everyone at Cox has been amazing, welcoming, and patient. They have alleviated a lot of the anxieties that I had entering the civilian workforce. And I’m really impressed with the fact that almost everyone that I’ve met at Cox has been with the company for at least 15 years. That employee longevity speaks volumes about the company and their attitude toward their employees.
Q: Is there any advice you would like to give to other military professionals who are looking for civilian jobs?
J: Some advice that I’d give transitioning members is to definitely start networking, start humbling yourself, and adjust your expectations. Remember you had to learn and grow into the superstar that you are now in the military. That means you also have to give yourself some time to learn and grow in your new civilian role. Cox has been amazing, and I am truly blessed and enjoying this new chapter in my life.
Thanks to Master Sergeant Jamila C. Ayala for her time and sharing her story. Click here to read more stories about life at Cox or visit our Veterans page to learn more.
This summer, Cox Communications is pleased to partner with Hiring our Heroes to provide help and support to veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses as they find meaningful employment opportunities outside of their military careers. Through the Corporate Fellowship Program, Cox is providing on the job training and helping our service members bridge the gap between their military service and civilian careers.
We sat down, virtually of course, with some of those participants to see how their time at Cox is going and what advice they have for others in the military who are looking to begin their civilian careers. Today, hear from Sergeant Major Gregory (Gregg) Mitchell.
Q: Can you tell me a little bit about your military careers?
G: I served in the Marine Corps for 30 years. I rose through the ranks and achieved the highest rank of Sergeant Major. I joined 8 August 1990. I have been part of Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Operation Just Cause, Operation Iraq Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and the War on Terrorism. I have traveled all over Europe, South America, Africa, and the Middle East/ South West Asia. I was an Infantryman by trade and was awarded numerous awards to include a combat action ribbon.
Q: What are some of the challenges you and other members of the military face when trying to get civilian jobs?
G: Trying to adjust to a new norm. Matching and translating our skill sets to the civilian sector.
Q: How are Hiring Our Heroes and Cox helping to solve some of those challenges?
G: By allowing us to fellowship and working with individuals within organizations to work alongside, so that we can show our attributes.
Q: How has your experience been with Cox so far?
G: Awesome! The team that I’ve been working with has been very supportive and flexible. All the team members are very knowledgeable and patient with all the challenges that we’ve faced. They have been welcoming and eager to spin and train us up on processes and procedures. They have welcomed the veterans with open arms and been very appreciative of our service.
Thanks to Sergeant Major Gregg Mitchell for his time and sharing his story. Click here to read more stories about life at Cox or visit our Veterans page to learn more.
This summer, Cox Communications is pleased to partner with Hiring our Heroes to provide help and support to veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses as they find meaningful employment opportunities outside of their military careers. Through the Corporate Fellowship Program, Cox is providing on the job training and helping our service members bridge the gap between their military service and civilian careers.
We sat down, virtually of course, with some of those participants to see how their time at Cox is going and what advice they have for others in the military who are looking to begin their civilian careers. Today, hear from Master Sergeant Xavier Dominguez.
Q: Can you tell me a little bit about your military careers?
X: I served in the Army for 26 years. I have been promoted 7 times in my career. My final rank was Master Sergeant. The Army has taught discipline, motivation, leadership, how to work hard and be a part of a team.
Q: What are some of the challenges you and other members of the military face when trying to get civilian jobs?
X: The biggest challenge is really getting away from the military culture and transitioning to civilian culture.
Q: How are Hiring Our Heroes and Cox helping to solve some of those challenges?
X: Hiring Our Heroes is helping by making the transition into the civilian job market more understandable, providing resources, tools and classes to ease our transition. It is great that Cox understands some of the issues that service members might have transitioning from the military. It is a testament to their values and culture it is their way of giving back and I appreciate the opportunity that Cox has given us. These new skills that Cox is providing will be the foundation to a successful career.
Q: Is there any advice you would like to give to other military professionals who are looking for civilian jobs?
X: Stay focused, be humble and learn from every experience.
Q: How has your experience been with Cox so far?
X: Experience has been great! It is a family company from the first day I was brought in. I hope to stay with Cox going forward in my career.
Thanks to Master Sergeant Xavier Dominguez for his time and sharing his story. Click here to read more stories about life at Cox or visit our Veterans page to learn more.
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