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Your Career Go-Bag: Being Ready When Tech Career Emergencies Strike

Every service member knows the importance of a "go-bag"—that pre-packed kit containing essential gear for rapid deployment. It's a lesson that translates perfectly to civilian career management. Just as military readiness can mean the difference between success and failure in the field, career readiness can determine how well you weather professional challenges.

In today's unpredictable job market, career emergencies happen to everyone. Layoffs, company closures, or sudden changes can catch you off guard. But with your own career go-bag prepared and maintained, you'll face these challenges with confidence rather than panic.

What Should Be In Your Career Go-Bag

1. The "Brag Doc"
Think of this as your career journal—a place where you capture your wins and growth:

• Achievements: Projects completed, goals met, and problems solved
• Positive feedback: Comments from colleagues, managers, and clients that highlight your strengths
• Work samples: Links or files of your best work that showcase your abilities

Quick tip: Set a calendar reminder every three months to update this document. When opportunity knocks, you'll have your accomplishments ready to share.

2. Resume & LinkedIn Profile
These are your professional identity documents:

• Keep your resume updated with your latest experiences and achievements
• Ensure your LinkedIn profile tells the same story as your resume
• Have a short bio ready that clearly explains who you are professionally

Pro move: Create a simple one-pager that summarizes your key skills and accomplishments—perfect for networking opportunities or quick introductions.

3. Portfolio & GitHub
Your work should be ready to speak for you:

• Maintain your GitHub with recent contributions that show your ongoing work
• Keep your portfolio site current with your best and most relevant projects
• Organize your work in a way that tells a story about your skills and approach

Remember: Your portfolio is often the first impression you make. Even when you're happily employed, keep it current—opportunity rarely announces itself in advance.

4. Your Network
Relationships are your support system during career transitions:

• Stay in regular contact with mentors, former colleagues, and industry friends
• Participate in relevant communities, both online and in-person
• Help others when you can—the best networking is reciprocal

Simple practice: Each month, reach out to a few key connections just to check in. These relationships will be invaluable when you need them most.

5. Emergency Fund
Financial stability gives you options and reduces panic:

• Aim to save 3–6 months of living expenses in an accessible account
• Review and reduce unnecessary expenses before a crisis occurs
• Consider developing additional income streams through side work

Peace of mind: A financial cushion means you can focus on finding the right next opportunity, not just the fastest one.

6. Side Projects & Skill Development
Your skills are your career toolkit—keep them sharp:

• Work on personal projects that energize you and expand your abilities
• Invest time in learning new skills and technologies relevant to your field
• Consider freelance or volunteer work that broadens your experience

Growth mindset: Continuously developing your skills makes you more resilient to changes in your industry and more valuable to potential employers.

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Being Ready Before You Need To Be

When a career emergency happens, you won't have time to prepare from scratch. Having your go-bag ready means you can focus on moving forward rather than scrambling to gather the basics.

Your Career Go-Bag Checklist:

✅ Brag Doc

• Updated within last 3 months
• Contains quantifiable achievements
• Includes peer and supervisor feedback

✅ Resume & LinkedIn

• Aligned and current
• Tailored one-pager ready
• Professional photo updated

✅ Portfolio & GitHub

• Recent projects featured
• READMEs are clear and professional
• All links functional

✅ Professional Network

• Regular check-ins scheduled
• Active in 2–3 professional communities
• Mentor relationships maintained

✅ Emergency Fund

• 3–6 months expenses saved
• Monthly budget updated
• Side income sources identified

✅ Skills & Development

• Learning goals defined
• Side project in progress
• Certifications current

No one plans for career disruptions, but they happen to everyone. The difference between a career emergency and a career opportunity often comes down to preparation.

What's in your career go-bag? Consider what you already have packed and what might need attention. The time to prepare is always now—before you need it.

As veterans, we understand the value of preparation and readiness. The same principles that serve us well in uniform can help us navigate the civilian job market with confidence and purpose.

Support Vets Who Code

If this story resonates with you, consider supporting Vets Who Code to help more veterans transition into successful tech careers. Your donations can make a significant impact. You can also sponsor us on GitHub to get technical updates and support our mission. Together, we can make a difference.

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