Veteran Mentorship at Johnson Controls: A “Will Do” Attitude

Tell us a bit about yourselves and your experience. How did you come to work with Johnson Controls?

Nick: I currently serve as the director of learning, process tech and development. I spent eight years 

as a maintenance officer in the Air Force and was recruited by a fellow Air Force veteran within Johnson Controls over lunch. I’ve been with the company for seven years since then and have enjoyed every minute.

Louis: Shortly after being hired, I clicked with Nick here, and have also been active with the VBRG. That’s another way we help give back to the veteran community, through donations and events in addition to supporting each other. One great event that I was proud to be a part of took place shortly after I started. Through our relationships with the Great Lake Naval Base, we were able to get their Honor Guard and Color Guard to do a ceremony in 507 (Johnson Controls headquarters) for Veterans Day. In terms of mentoring others, it always feels really good to pass on what I’ve learned to new veteran hires, whether that’s the fact that you don’t have to stand up when your boss enters the room or something more to do with learning the business portion.

What have been some of the challenges and successes you’ve encountered in your work? Is there anything you’re particularly proud of?
Louis: I’m sure everyone is sick of hearing this, but the transition around the pandemic and moving to remote work with very little notice is one of the bigger challenges we’ve faced. One of the things we’ve been grateful for as we’ve been going through this is the classic attitude you find in the military: don't tell me how it can't be done, tell me how it can be done. With the challenge of moving remote and everything else we might count as an obstacle, that mindset is a huge asset and something that the civilian business community definitely benefits from.

Nick: When it comes to successes, that attitude really contributes to reaching our goals, whether it’s an internal event or working with a customer. Building on the mindset that you find in the veteran community, there’s also a strong emphasis on mission first, people always. And Johnson Controls knows that the military community is a lifelong thing. I still serve as a reservist, and they’ve been incredibly flexible with allowing me to pursue that while having a fulfilling career with Johnson Controls that feels like an investment in my future. In that sense, bringing others into this work environment and seeing them succeed – in all aspects of their lives – has been incredibly rewarding.

What would you tell a someone coming up on the end of their service or a recently discharged veteran looking at opportunities like Johnson Controls?
Nick: Start the process early, even before you’re officially out. If you're getting out in January, start thinking about what you want and working on the application process 9-12 months ahead of time. When you’re looking to transition, your resume should look like a list of accomplishments, not responsibilities. The skills that people come out of the military with are incredibly valuable in the industrial sector. A lot of the equipment they work on very closely aligns with what you’re likely used to working with during your service. On the technical side as well, there's a huge skillset within the military around cybersecurity which is also in high demand. A lot of the time, the fact that you’re an asset can get lost in translation, so to speak. I recommend talking to your least “military” relative and having them look over your resume objectively.

Louis: I’d add that it’s important to seek out further education and build an understanding of what your next role might be. The other thing I’d say is don’t think you have to do it alone. You’d be amazed by the amount of resources available to a veteran at every level of your community and workplace. Use that support, including people like Nick and myself.