After six years in the Royal Navy, Mercedes knew she was ready for a career shift. She had built technical expertise in aircraft engineering and meteorology, but translating those skills into the civilian world felt overwhelming. Without a formal background in tech or cyber security, the job hunt felt like an uphill battle.
That changed when she connected with Redeployable. Instead of navigating the transition alone, she gained direct access to tailored career guidance, skill-matching insights, and job opportunities aligned with her strengths. The result? A role at Honeywell that blends her technical abilities with her passion for sustainability and innovation.
Military Background: Hands-On Technical Expertise
Mercedes started as an Aircraft Engineering Technician, dealing with everything from minor repairs to full engine overhauls.
“Some of it is really big and complex, and you can have a big team working on a single job, or some of it can be really simple, just going out there and replacing a little switch or something,” she says.
Later, she became a Meteorological Observer, a role that required precision, data analysis, and real-time decision-making to ensure flight safety. It was during this time that she developed a fascination with GIS (Global Information Systems) and technology, an interest that ultimately guided her career transition. But "interested in tech" and "getting a job in tech" are two very different things.
The Transition Challenge: Finding the Right Career Path
Like most veterans, Mercedes had to deal with the classic transition headache: loads of transferable skills, but no civilian-friendly way to prove them.
"I was looking at jobs in tech and really struggled to find a job because I don't have the experience nor do I have a degree in cyber security or anything like that."
Determined to bridge the gap, she pursued CompTIA Network+ and Security+ certifications in Aldershot. These courses, while valuable, were challenging, particularly without a signals background. She also got on LinkedIn, something no one in uniform ever thinks about until resettlement kicks in:
"I'd never used LinkedIn before and then I made one when I was in resettlement... there are a lot of veterans on there really willing to help you and talk about anything that you want."
Helpful? Yes. But still no job. Enter Redeployable.
How Redeployable Helped Mercedes
Mercedes’ journey to Honeywell began with an unexpected LinkedIn message from the Redeployable team. At first, she wasn’t sure if a Building Management Systems (BMS) role was the right fit. But through Redeployable’s personalised career-matching process, she discovered that the role aligned perfectly with her skills.
Here’s how Redeployable made the difference:
🔹 Skills Translation & Career Matching – Instead of aimlessly applying to jobs, Mercedes was matched with a career that leveraged her military experience in technical problem-solving, systems management, and data analysis.
🔹 Direct Access to Employers – Rather than sending CVs into the void, Redeployable connected her directly with Honeywell’s hiring team, giving her a real shot at an opportunity.
🔹 Confidence in the Decision – By validating her skills and showing how they aligned with industry needs, Redeployable helped Mercedes see the value she could bring to the role.
"When I did my research into them [Honeywell], they're huge. It's all about sustainability and making things more efficient and innovative. And those were things that I really liked about it. It's really good because it's a mixture of both my skill set and my expertise from previous jobs, and it has that tech element that I wanted in my job."
Looking Forward: A Future in Tech & Sustainability
As Mercedes steps into her role as a BMS Service Engineer at Honeywell, the strong parallels between her military background and the responsibilities of her new role are clear. Her experience in aircraft engineering provided hands-on technical expertise, while her meteorology background sharpened her analytical and problem-solving skills.
Most importantly, she’s working in a sector she actually cares about - sustainability, something she didn’t find in her military career.
"The renewable energy side of things was something that I was looking at and was really interested in... it reflected my personal goals and views. I want to work somewhere that’s doing good for the planet.’
Advice for Other Veterans
Mercedes has a few takeaways for those still figuring things out:
"Just because you did aircraft engineering in the military doesn’t mean you should pigeonhole yourself into that specific role. There are loads of jobs out there."
And job descriptions? They’re not always what they seem.
"Job descriptions can be tricky to figure out. So, do your research on the role, understand what the company does, and talk to veterans already in the field—they’ll be really helpful."
Find Your Next Career with Redeployable
Mercedes' journey shows that with the right support, transitioning doesn’t have to be frustrating or uncertain. So let Redeployable match you with the right roles, the right employers, and the right opportunities. It's FREE to use and you can get going with your reccomentdations, a skills analysis and a transition plan in minutes.
Click here to get started and take the first step toward your next career.
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