Career Story: Naval Leadership to Civilian Career

My kids believe I know everyone.

Let’s keep it a secret that I don’t. But let’s also say I have a pretty easy time conversing with people.

A routine visit to a golf course last summer became almost an hour-long conversation about transitions, resilience, and life after military service.

Which is a long way of saying I met Eric Sirkin at a golf course putting range.

Eric Sirkin's career is a testament to adaptability, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of personal and professional growth.

In January 2017, as Eric was nearing the completion of a 20+ year career in the US Navy, he felt prepared to dive into the civilian workforce armed with extensive military experience and was getting his master’s degree. He set his sights on a target role, quite literally, at Target Corporation's headquarters in Minnesota—a dream that seemed just a job application away.

However, reality struck hard during his first civilian interview. Despite his impressive background, the civilian job market was indifferent. The rejection by Target and several other organizations left him deflated and questioning his approach. Eric realized that transitioning to a civilian career required a fundamental reevaluation of his skills and presentation.

A chance encounter at a Navy symposium turned into a career opportunity. A conversation with a company looking to hire pilots turned into a recruitment role for Eric - his first civilian job opportunity. But Eric's transition was far from smooth. Balancing MBA school, a new civilian role, and fatherhood, he soon encountered the debilitating effects of imposter syndrome.

“Everywhere I looked, I felt like I was the dumbest person in the room.”

Imposter syndrome is a psychological phenomenon where individuals doubt their accomplishments and fear being exposed as a fraud. This can be magnified for those who have spent years in a regimented and hierarchical system like the military.

For Eric, the transition highlighted a common yet unspoken challenge: the stark contrast between military certainty and civilian ambiguity. This shift can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy and fraudulence, making even accomplished veterans question their worth and abilities in new roles. The pressure to adapt to civilian norms can lead veterans to internalize unrealistic expectations, where any mistake is viewed not as proof of their unsuitability for the role.

The overwhelming pressure culminated in his resignation —a decision that brought relief and a sense of failure. One of his leaders at that time encouraged him to take the weekend to think about it, to reconsider. Yet he returned on Monday and went through with the resignation.

“I remember leaving, and feeling a huge sense of relief but also shame, embarrassment, and failure.”

Following his resignation, Eric faced unemployment and the universal uncertainties brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. This period tested his resilience and refined his ability to build relationships—a skill that became his professional lifeline. He ventured into new industries, learned new skills, and eventually found his way back to his niche in talent management for the aviation sector.

“When someone says I need help, that’s like my dopamine.”

In June 2024, the person to whom Eric had resigned years earlier reached out, offering him a role that played to his strengths—helping companies attract talent.

Today, Eric is a corporate recruiter, leveraging his unique perspective to find and place engineers in open roles.

Beyond recruitment, Eric is passionate about educating veterans and corporate entities. His talk, "Please Don't Thank Me for My Service on Memorial Day," highlights the nuances between Memorial Day and Veterans Day, educating the public in a relaxed and fun way.

Eric Sirkin's career story is a powerful reminder of the importance of adaptability, the reality of setbacks, and the potential for redemption. His journey underscores the need for veterans transitioning to civilian careers to reframe their experiences into business language and for companies to recognize the invaluable skills veterans bring - it is this cooperation where the opportunities thrive.

Eric's mission is to enhance connections, proving that with the right support and understanding, every person can find their path to success.

And you better believe that if you need help, Eric’s someone you can count on.

Thanks to Eric for sharing his story!