{"id":5674,"date":"2023-05-01T17:16:34","date_gmt":"2023-05-01T21:16:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hiringourheroes.org\/?p=5674"},"modified":"2026-03-31T17:42:53","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T21:42:53","slug":"career-forward-data-analyst-gdit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hiringourheroes.org\/stories\/career-forward-data-analyst-gdit\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Career Forward Helped Me Change Careers\u2019: Training Program Provides Path to Career Fulfillment for Underemployed Military Spouse"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Nearly two-thirds of new jobs created in the last decade require high- or medium-level digital skills. Yet, one in three U.S. workers have limited or no digital skills. To help military job seekers learn job-ready skills like data analytics, Hiring Our Heroes launched Career Forward with support from Google.org.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 2,200 veterans, military spouses, and active-duty service members are on the path to completing a Google Career Certificate through Career Forward. These learners are working to improve their current employment situation. This may be a salary increase, a promotion, or a new career path with more flexible or portable work options.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Career Forward participants may apply for a paid fellowship with a military-friendly employer after completing a certificate. Additionally, completers receive access to more than 400 employers in the Hiring Our Heroes network and the Google Career Certificates Employer Consortium should they choose to forgo a fellowship opportunity and apply directly for a job position.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This month, Hiring Our Heroes shares how Career Forward graduate Shyane Maestre secured a remote position with a competitive salary after earning the Google Career Certificate in Data Analytics to launch a new career. Maestre explains the positive financial impact of her career change and how Career Forward changed her life.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Name:<\/strong> Shyane Maestre<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Status:<\/strong> U.S. Air Force military spouse<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Location:<\/strong> Norfolk, Virginia<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Job Title:<\/strong> Data Analyst<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Employer:<\/strong> General Dynamics Information Technology<\/a> (GDIT)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why did you enroll in Career Forward?<\/strong> You know what they say about \u201conce you\u2019re in the General Schedule (GS) system, it\u2019s easier to find a job.\u201d [The General Schedule (GS) is a pay system civilian employees in the federal government.]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I didn\u2019t find that to be the case for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We had recently moved from North Carolina to Virginia, and I had to take a pay cut to stay as a government employee. Then, I was able to move up a grade, but I still wasn\u2019t making hardly anything. On the days I had to be in the office, I was driving 45 minutes. The position was too easy for me. I wanted a challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After talking with my family, weighing the pros and cons, and researching the Google Career Certificates, I took a leap of faith. I quit my government job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google Data Analytics Certificate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

How did you select the Google Data Analytics Certificate?<\/strong> My background is medical coding and billing. I have a bachelor\u2019s degree in Health and Medical Administrative Services. I thought data analysis wasn\u2019t my thing until I looked more into it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Data is everywhere. Data analysis<\/a> is the new way of the world. You can do so much with the data analytics certificate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Data is everywhere. Data analysis is the new way of the world. You can do so much with the data analytics certificate.<\/p>\nShyane Maestre, Career Forward Completer and U.S. Air Force spouse<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

How did Career Forward help you move forward in your professional goals?<\/strong> Hiring Our Heroes helped me build confidence to take charge of my career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Career Forward team gives you a lot of advice. I took all of it. They helped me understand how connections, especially connections on LinkedIn, are important. They said, \u201cdon\u2019t close the door on anything.\u201d That advice opened my mind to look for connections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They helped me revamp my resume and helped me with interviews. They helped me with salary negotiations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did you negotiate your salary for your current role?<\/strong> I did, even though I was terrified. I had never done that before. I kept thinking, \u2018I\u2019m brand new to data analysis, but I can do this.\u2019 And I got it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n