Cognosante is proud to partner with the Department of Defense (DoD) to provide work experience to service members who will soon separate from military service. Through Hiring Our Heroes (a U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation program and approved DoD SkillBridge provider), service members in the last 180 days of their military careers are connected to industry partners for training, internships, and other civilian work experiences.
As a 5 Star Employer, designated by the prestigious VETS Indexes 2024, we proudly welcome employees who have served to bring unique skills and shared values to their work and to Cognosante. We spoke with our newest Fellow, Marvin Lazaro, to learn more about his background and his role at Cognosante.
I enlisted in the Air Force in 2003 and served for 21 years. During that time, I held a variety of cybersecurity and IT roles, gaining experience in IT project management, network infrastructure, and cyberspace operations.
Most recently, I was the Senior Enlisted Leader for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, supporting the overall US Nuclear Enterprise. Iāve also served in the senior leadership position for Cyberspace Operations at the Air Combat Command, which is the lead cyber command for the US Air Force.
There can be a lot of uncertainty about transitioning to civilian life after 21 years of active duty. The Hiring our Heroes Fellowship, which is part of the SkillBridge program, allows service members to test the waters.
I received offers from six different companies but was so impressed with the way our recruiting and program staff spoke about Cognosanteās culture and commitment to Veterans that the choice was easy.
"Iāve been able to apply my experience in IT security to work on projects that mitigate cybersecurity risks...The tools we use at Cognosante may be different than in the military, but the fundamentals are the same."
In my role as Senior Information Security Engineer, I’m free to explore several ongoing initiatives, and connect with other IT professionals across the organization.
Iāve been able to apply my experience in IT security to work on projects that mitigate cybersecurity risks. In both military and civilian worlds, cybersecurity professionals must be able to identify and assess unique problems ā to see the hidden complexities in a project and anticipate roadblocks. The tools we use at Cognosante may be different than in the military, but the fundamentals are the same.
Keep an open mind and start early, ideally two years before separating. Take advantage of programs like SkillBridge. The resources they provide, such as resume and interview workshops, and information on insurance benefits, are run by experts in their fields and all free of charge.
Learn more about our commitment to Veterans and actively serving military members and their spouses ā and why Cognosante is a great place to work for the military community.
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