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BY Brock Dudley
March 4, 2025 | Career Management | Career Preparation | Companies Who Hire Veterans | Conference | Development Candidate | Economy | General | General Uncategorized | Hiring Talent | Lauren Kordzik | Lauren Kordzik | Location | Military Officer Transition Program | Non-Traditional Talent | Podcasts | Reading

E217: January 2025 Post Conference Review

Our January 2025 Post Conference Review is live, and I always look forward to the weeks following a Career Conference and visiting with our recent alumni. It’s the culmination of an incredible amount of effort both from the candidates and our team. Seeing these talented JMOs, some having spent over two years in the Cameron-Brooks Development and Preparation Program, receive offers and make career decisions is nothing short of inspiring.

It’s not just about the job offers; it’s about the journey. The relationships built. The challenges overcome. The lessons learned. Watching LinkedIn light up with posts from our alumni celebrating their new careers, surrounded by the support of their community, is one of the best parts of my job.

To all the JMOs, client companies, and the entire Cameron-Brooks team—thank you for making another Career Conference a success! And most importantly, congratulations to the January 2025 Candidates and Companies!

The Panel

In this episode, I sat down with three recent Cameron-Brooks alumni who shared their firsthand experiences from the Career Conference and the critical “follow-up” process. They pulled back the curtain on what it was really like—insights, surprises, and everything in between. Meet the panel:

  • Liam O’Hara, TransDigm Group, Inc. – Captain, Army Air Defense
  • Frank Cebreros, Amcor – Captain, Army Armor
  • Ty McAvoy, Civco Medical Solutions – LTJG, Surface Warfare Officer

The “follow-up process” refers to the structured steps that take place after their Career Conference, where candidates interview with multiple companies in person or on-site with the objective to go deeper and learn more, and then secure offers. Once offers are in hand, they have the ability to evaluate options, compare, and then make the best decision for them based on:

  • Fit!
  • Career Goals
  • Career Opportunities
  • Nature of work
  • Team Chemistry
  • Culture
  • Salary
  • Location

Topics of Discussion and Sample Questions Asked

Here’s a sneak peek of what we discussed and questions that were asked:

  • Career Conference Statistics – January 2025 data
  • Sample Opportunities – What industries and roles were available
  • Best Interview Prep Tips & Techniques – What works
  • Salary Expectations – Did the opportunities align with expectations?
  • Why Cameron-Brooks? – The value of our partnership
  • Hiring Manager Conversations – What to expect
  • The Impact of Study Groups – How they drove preparation and confidence
  • The Power of Community – Why going through this with a network matters
  • How to Ace Your Interview – Actionable insights for success

And much more!

Key Themes

Some of the key themes that emerged from our conversation were:

1.) The Power of Relationships – Your network is everything. Having a community that sharpens you, pushes you, and walks alongside you through this transition is invaluable. Study Groups, the Discord platform, follow-up trips—these relationships make all the difference.

2.) Applying the Reading Program – Books like Integrity Selling and Financial Intelligence weren’t just theory—they shaped how these candidates approached their interviews and careers. Learning, applying, and operationalizing these concepts set them apart.

3.) The Follow-Up Team’s Impact – There’s an entire engine behind the scenes—coordinating logistics, travel, and on-site interviews. Field rides, plant tours, site visits—these aren’t just meetings; they’re opportunities to connect, learn, and solidify decisions.

Final Thoughts

These Career Conference recap conversations are a goldmine for those preparing for their own transition. Whether you’re deep in the Development and Preparation Program or just starting to explore your options, learning from those who’ve walked this path before you is invaluable.

If you’re a JMO looking for answers, we’re here to help. Cameron-Brooks has spent over five decades guiding military officers through one of the biggest transitions of their careers. I’d love to meet with you one-on-one to help define your marketability and explore your options along with answering any questions you have from our January 2025 Post Conference Review!

Let’s start the conversation. You can learn more at our website, on YouTube, or on LinkedIn.

Best of success,

Brock Dudley | bdudley@cameron-brooks.com | (210) 874-1495

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