The Forces Employment Charity exists to help Service leavers, veterans, reservists and their families to achieve their full potential in employment. We do this through offering life-long support; regardless of circumstances, rank, length of service or reason for leaving. Our team consists of a mixture of staff with civilian and military backgrounds – we’re here to listen!
Join us as we continue our monthly interviews across our departments. Today, we have Iain Downie, Director of Resources. Read on to learn about Iain’s role, motivations, and advice to veterans.
Can you tell us about your role at the Forces Employment Charity?
As Director of Resources, I lead the team responsible for supporting our staff. My team helps the organisation with equipment, pay, and non-operational HR support. On the financial side of our roles, the team organises and monitors our annual budget. In short, we make sure that all our suppliers get paid on time! My goal within my role is to improve what we do here at the charity, little by little, as time goes on.
Can you describe your transition from a military career to a civilian role and what motivated you to join the charity?
I joined the British Army when I was 18, so leaving the military after 23 years was a daunting prospect. When I left, I used all the support from the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) and focused on building a professional network. As a direct result of the CTP support I received, I got my first civilian role at a military charity. I really enjoyed being able to support other Service leavers with their transitions.
After working briefly as a secondary school teacher, I joined the Forces Employment Charity. My favourite part of my role is undoubtedly the people! However, I also wanted to work in a culture that understands and supports the military community. My role allows me to play a small role in delivering vital support to veterans and their families. I felt the need to give back, and now that I am a part of the charity, I can. Hearing the impact of our charity’s support is a huge motivation! It’s incredibly inspiring and leaves me wanting to do more.
What hobbies or activities do you enjoy in your free time that help you unwind and relax?
I love exercising; it helps me relax. My knees have finally told me that I am getting old, so I now spend quite a lot of time cycling.
My other passion is my horse, Dudley, who I am so fortunate to have. He is an excellent companion and has a knack for calming me down if I am annoyed and making me smile when all is well. And, of course, he brings me down to earth (literally) if I start to think I am doing well. He’s a great leveller!
How has your Armed Forces experience influenced your approach to your current role?
There are challenging days in any job or environment. I realised in the Army that things don’t improve on their own, but some tasks can seem impossible at first glance. These experiences taught me to try to break big tasks into smaller, more manageable ones. Yet, I always keep an ‘eye on the prize’ and what we are ultimately trying to achieve. This is especially important when obstacles appear in your path, or you get a curveball.
Furthermore, my military experience has also made me quite adaptable. Our situation changes constantly, so acknowledging, considering, and addressing change and its meaning is vital. Personally, this is a major part of how I maintain a balanced approach to daily tasks.
What motivates you in your day-to-day life?
My biggest motivation is my family. While I was serving in the Army, they accompanied me around the UK and Germany. I want to set a good example for them and give them the support they need now that we are settled in civilian life.
Being able to support my wider friendship group is also a big motivator. Though I can certainly do better with this, I always try to!
Do you feel you experienced challenges or barriers when transitioning to civilian employment?
Definitely! The first barrier I had to overcome was the feeling of loss. For 23 years, my job primarily defined me. But this went away overnight, along with a very close group of friends and colleagues. I had to realise that no job defines you. My friends would still be there; we just weren’t quite as close as we had been before.
My biggest employment challenge was figuring out what I wanted to do. There is a pathway to most civilian jobs/roles, but working out what I wanted was a big step. Once I decided what to do professionally, I treated achieving my dream job as a full-time role and persevered.
Do you have any advice for Service leavers and veterans about transitioning from military to civilian employment?
Identifying the type of employment you want is critical. If you need help with this, seek advice (and listen to it all). Think about what makes you happy, and then think about how you can get there.
I can’t stress enough the importance of networking! I know this can sound scary, but networking is about talking to people and letting them help you. Most people I meet are always thrilled to help.
Researching the company’s values is a good habit when looking for a job. As veterans, we have great problem-solving, teamwork, leadership, and many other transferrable skills. Discussing these skills and values with potential employers can help you stand out. At the charity, we provide one-to-one sessions, coaching, and mentoring to help you in your employment journey!
After serving worldwide, do you have a favourite place where you were based?
I enjoyed all the places I was lucky enough to have served in, and Germany holds many memories. I adored being based there and all the friends I made. My favourite spot was working in Joint Headquarters at Moenchengladbach. I worked with people from various nations, and we learned so much from one another.
What was your most memorable experience from your time in the military?
There are so many. My most memorable is a trip we took to Ghana for adventurous training. A small group of us canoed down the length of the Volta River, which took us five weeks and was 1,173km long! We spoke to many wonderful people, shared many stories, and worked together to get through it. By the end, the expedition team realised that despite our differences, so much more brings us together than what separates us.
Want to know more?
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