Recently, I had the chance to speak to the first-ever military-leaver/veteran cohort taking part in ServiceNow’s RiseUp program. This ServiceNow initiative is aimed at training and upskilling people on the ServiceNow platform, empowering them with free learning resources, certification paths, and community support. I'm glad I had the opportunity to support and share my ServiceNow journey since it's really great that ServiceNow are helping people build their digital skills and pursue careers with ServiceNow.
As a former soldier myself, this session hit close to home. I know first-hand how difficult the transition can be. I left the military as a qualified and experienced mechanical engineer, but ended up bouncing around the different areas of the mechanical engineering world. I managed to break into IT in my late 20s, with no formal qualifications or industry experience, which was where I discovered ServiceNow, and it was an uphill battle! Back then, programs like RiseUp didn’t exist, and I was left to apply for everything and anything I could to just get my foot in the door for IT, which meant starting all over again from scratch.
Talking to them, I focused on the power of transferable skills that military experience uniquely builds: high work ethic, pressure resilience, attention to detail, time management, and a deep sense of discipline. These aren’t just random traits, they’re competitive advantages in the tech world.
One message I wanted to leave them with was simple: "You’re not normal, and that’s a good thing." In a field full of traditional paths and career changers, being different is your edge. It’s what makes you stand out. Embrace it.
I was glad to give back in a small way to a group that’s put so much in, and absolutely deserves this kind of opportunity.
ServiceNow is creating real opportunity, and it was an honour to contribute a small part in helping these individuals find their place in tech, just as I once did.
Thank you to Dan, for sharing such a brilliant and inspiring message. If you're interested in working with ServiceNow as a career, you can access their educational resources here to start your journey.
