Our Careers for Veterans series shares the experiences of colleagues across Phenna Group as they build careers beyond military service. In this feature, we meet Christine Kelly, Accounts Receivable Specialist at Atlantic Testing Laboratories (ATL) and the first female veteran to share her story in the series.
A former Staff Sergeant, Christine spent seven years in the U.S. Air Force as a pharmacy technician. Today, she brings the communication skills, work ethic and commitment to helping others developed during her service to ATL's accounting team.
Building Foundations in the Air Force
Christine joined the Air Force at 18. Over the next seven years, military life gave her experience of working with others, taking responsibility and contributing to a shared purpose.
As a pharmacy technician, helping people was central to her role. It was also one of the aspects of service she valued most, alongside the friendships she formed.
"I enjoyed being able to help people, serving my country and the amazing friends made along the way."
Those experiences helped shape her approach to work. Being dependable, communicating effectively, and giving her best became habits that remained valuable throughout her career, even when she chose a profession outside healthcare.
After seven years, however, Christine felt ready for a change of pace. Having entered the military straight from her teenage years, she wanted to explore what civilian life could offer and find a career suited to her interests and talents.
Finding a New Direction
Christine did not leave the Air Force with a detailed career plan. She knew she wanted to continue her education, but her next steps developed over time.
"I honestly did not have a transition plan. I wanted to go to school and find a career that suited my interests and talents."
Before leaving, she took part in a transition assistance programme, gaining practical support with writing a CV and preparing for aspects of civilian life. She also used the GI Bill to complete an associate degree in accounting, giving her a qualification in a new field.
Her first civilian role came through a longstanding personal connection. Christine and her husband had known Matthew Bernard and his family since high school. While she was a stay-at-home mum, Matthew told her about an Accounts Payable Specialist vacancy at ATL.
That conversation introduced her to the business where she began her civilian career and developed her accounting experience. Matthew also became a valuable source of guidance, helping her navigate unfamiliar aspects of civilian working life.
Adjusting to Life Beyond Military Structure
One of Christine's biggest surprises was how much she missed the structure of military life.
While serving, many everyday decisions were already made. Moving into civilian life meant taking responsibility for choices she had rarely needed to consider before.
"While on active duty, you do not think about what to wear, where to go, or where to live. As a civilian, I have all of these decisions to make that I never even considered while on active duty."
Her experience highlights how leaving the military involves more than finding a new job. Familiar routines change, and even apparently small decisions can become part of a much wider adjustment.
Looking back, Christine also wishes she had better understood the value of the healthcare provided during service and how to navigate the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs system afterwards.
Having someone to turn to made a difference. For Christine, support from a trusted friend helped her understand unfamiliar situations as she found her feet.
Bringing Military Skills into Accounting
Although pharmacy and accounting are different professions, Christine has found a clear connection between the skills both require.
Her military experience taught her to work effectively with others, arrive prepared and approach her responsibilities with care. Communication and conflict resolution have proved particularly useful.
"We are taught how to work with others, show up on time, and give our absolute best always. The conflict resolution and communication skills I learned in the military have been invaluable."
Her current position also includes a customer service element, allowing her to draw on her experience of helping people while working in a different environment.
Christine knew she did not want to remain in a healthcare-focused role. Accounting offered a way to apply her existing strengths while developing new knowledge.
Starting in accounts payable gave her the opportunity to learn about accounts receivable and better understand ATL's financial processes. Now working as an Accounts Receivable Specialist, she values the broader understanding she has gained of how the business operates.
For Christine, that learning has been one of the most rewarding aspects of her civilian career, alongside being part of ATL's accounting team.
Advice for Others Preparing to Leave
Christine encourages service leavers to make use of transition assistance programmes. Practical preparation, including learning how to write a CV, can help when approaching civilian employment for the first time.
She also values finding a mentor or trusted friend who understands civilian working life. Having someone available to explain unfamiliar processes or talk through decisions can make the transition easier.
Her experience reminds us that a new career does not have to mirror a military role. Exploring a different field can create opportunities to use existing skills in ways that may not seem obvious at first.
For Christine, maintaining a positive outlook was especially important as she adapted to change. She encourages others to give themselves the opportunity to find work they enjoy and a direction that suits their interests.
Recognising Experience Across Phenna Group
Christine's journey shows how the skills developed through military service can support careers across many different business functions.
From helping people as an Air Force pharmacy technician to contributing to ATL's accounting team, she has carried her commitment and communication skills into a new profession, supported by further education and the guidance of people around her.
We thank Christine for sharing her experiences and offering practical encouragement to others preparing for civilian life.
Explore your next career with Phenna Group
Visit our Careers for Veterans, Service Members and Military Families page to discover more colleague stories and learn about opportunities across the Group.