Navigating Challenges: A Military Veteran's Journey to Professional Success in the Past Nine Years
Transitioning from a lengthy military career to civilian employment is always a challenging endeavor. Katy Newby, who unexpectedly faced medical discharge from the Royal Air Force Police after 12 years of service, found herself in the midst of a profound professional transformation. Rather than dwelling on the abrupt change, she redirected her focus towards embracing motherhood to her fifteen-month-old daughter.
Despite the initial shock, Newby viewed this unexpected turn of events as an opportunity to be a significant influence in her daughter's early years. Embracing the role of a mother provided her with a newfound sense of purpose during that period. However, as her daughter grew older and entered school, Newby began to realize the sacrifices she had made in terms of her professional identity.
The struggle she faced was centered on losing her identity, with Corporal Newby from the armed forces representing only a part of who she was. While being a mother was a vital and fulfilling purpose, she felt that immersing herself in it had caused the other half of her life to be sidelined.
After engaging in various part-time roles for a couple of years, Newby joined the MOD Guard Service, reigniting her passion for working in security. Despite enjoying her role, she increasingly felt the need for a career that offered more avenues for professional advancement. In 2019, she made the decision to enroll in university to pursue a degree in organisational capability development, followed by a master's degree in critical infrastructure security.
“I hadn't been in education since I left school at 16, and I never even dreamt I'd get a degree, let alone a master's," says Newby. “But it turned out that I absolutely loved researching. I always want to know the whys and wherefores of how things happen, so it suits me right down to the ground. I remember crying when I found out that I'd been awarded a first, and that was really my wake-up call that I'd found something that I'm good at."
Newby's academic credentials, coupled with over a decade of military service, positioned her as the perfect candidate for the role of a project security officer at Leidos in July 2023. However, what caught Newby's attention was how seamlessly Leidos aligned with her own professional aspirations.
“My interview gave me such a positive sense about working the team that I turned down other interviews because this just felt like it was meant to be," she describes. “Five months in, I still absolutely love it. The fact that I can work from home is great for my family but I also don't feel isolated from work at all because there's an amazing sense of community. People see you as a whole person and trust you to do what needs to be done the way you think is best rather than dictating exactly what you should do. “
From dispatching her initial 40 post-military job applications and receiving only three responses to juggling the demands of her studies with part-time work and childcare duties, the past nine years have undoubtedly posed challenges for Newby. However, as she initially grasped during her time as a military cadet, she understands that anything worth achieving is worth putting in the effort for.
“I still struggle with the fact that I had no control over when I left the military," she says. "But when I think about how I've gone to university and how I've found my own path back into security, I'm able to look back on that unexpected challenge as a positive opportunity to mastermind my own destiny."
Despite the initial shock, Newby viewed this unexpected turn of events as an opportunity to be a significant influence in her daughter's early years. Embracing the role of a mother provided her with a newfound sense of purpose during that period. However, as her daughter grew older and entered school, Newby began to realize the sacrifices she had made in terms of her professional identity.
The struggle she faced was centered on losing her identity, with Corporal Newby from the armed forces representing only a part of who she was. While being a mother was a vital and fulfilling purpose, she felt that immersing herself in it had caused the other half of her life to be sidelined.
After engaging in various part-time roles for a couple of years, Newby joined the MOD Guard Service, reigniting her passion for working in security. Despite enjoying her role, she increasingly felt the need for a career that offered more avenues for professional advancement. In 2019, she made the decision to enroll in university to pursue a degree in organisational capability development, followed by a master's degree in critical infrastructure security.
“I hadn't been in education since I left school at 16, and I never even dreamt I'd get a degree, let alone a master's," says Newby. “But it turned out that I absolutely loved researching. I always want to know the whys and wherefores of how things happen, so it suits me right down to the ground. I remember crying when I found out that I'd been awarded a first, and that was really my wake-up call that I'd found something that I'm good at."
Newby's academic credentials, coupled with over a decade of military service, positioned her as the perfect candidate for the role of a project security officer at Leidos in July 2023. However, what caught Newby's attention was how seamlessly Leidos aligned with her own professional aspirations.
“My interview gave me such a positive sense about working the team that I turned down other interviews because this just felt like it was meant to be," she describes. “Five months in, I still absolutely love it. The fact that I can work from home is great for my family but I also don't feel isolated from work at all because there's an amazing sense of community. People see you as a whole person and trust you to do what needs to be done the way you think is best rather than dictating exactly what you should do. “
From dispatching her initial 40 post-military job applications and receiving only three responses to juggling the demands of her studies with part-time work and childcare duties, the past nine years have undoubtedly posed challenges for Newby. However, as she initially grasped during her time as a military cadet, she understands that anything worth achieving is worth putting in the effort for.
“I still struggle with the fact that I had no control over when I left the military," she says. "But when I think about how I've gone to university and how I've found my own path back into security, I'm able to look back on that unexpected challenge as a positive opportunity to mastermind my own destiny."
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