Aim Hire Episode 37: Living the Life

From overcoming cold feet to the challenge of learning to speak in military jargon and acronyms, if you ever wanted a down-to-earth episode addressing many of those questions most frequently raised by that little voice deep down inside you, “Living the Life,” originally aired September 4, 2024, was recorded for you.

In this candid and insightful conversation, host Ryan Schneider sits down with two standout AFCS employees who started their careers as interns with no military experience or background. Now, they’re having an impact far beyond what many private-sector roles can offer.

As they reflect on their experiences, Emily Lemke, Logistics Management Specialist, F-16 Service Life Extension Program, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and Alex Hallemeier, AFCS Computer Engineer, 38th Engineering Squadron, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, offer practical advice and personal stories, showing that a fulfilling career at AFCS is not just possible but well within reach for anyone ready to embrace the opportunity.

1:50 ~ Host Ryan Schneider kicks things off with a quick audience poll on what appeals to them most about an AFCS career.

2:59 ~ He invites the guests to introduce themselves.

4:20 ~ Ryan prompts Emily and Alex to recount their biggest surprise after joining AFCS.

6:20 ~ He follows up by asking the guests whether they have ever had second thoughts about entering public service.

8:04 ~ Ryan shifts gears by asking them to recount the moment they knew they’d made the right decision.

10:28 ~ Ryan reflects back on his first position in the Air Force as an active-duty Airman, but reiterates how having active-duty experience is not a requirement for joining AFCS.

11:24 ~ Emily and Alex are asked how AFCS has championed professional growth in each of their careers.

14:07 ~ Ryan polls the audience about the environments where they work best.

15:50 ~ Following up, he asks the panelists to provide advice to those considering AFCS careers

16:36 ~ One of the many advantages of hosting the show is learning something new from the panelists. In this case, Ryan learns that the Air Force has a formal process for providing mentors to its employees.

18:18 ~ Ryan has Emily and Alex share their experience of entering AFCS through its internship programs.

22:35 ~ An audience member asks whether the two-year window after graduating from college to apply for the Palace Acquire (PAC) internship program has any flexibility.

24:48 ~ The next question from the audience is how soon you are eligible to enroll in a master’s degree program upon joining AFCS?

25:40 ~ The panelists field an audience question about finding AFCS mentors before formally taking a job at AFCS.

29:53 ~ Ryan passes along a question from the audience about the best way for you to get your foot in the door when applying for an AFCS position.

30:37 ~ The panelists are asked, “What is the best part of working for the Air Force as a civilian?”

33:09 ~ An audience member asks if a PhD is desirable for AFCS employees to possess?

35:25 ~ Someone else asks, if having no prior experience, is an AFCS internship the only way to gain entry?

36:56 ~ A member of the audience asks if they are about to graduate, should they apply for the Premier College Intern Program (PCIP) or a Palace Acquire Internship?

38:54 ~ Ryan fields a question as to whether AFCS hires on the spot during hiring events.

AFCS would like to extend a special thanks to Emily Lemke and Alex Hallemeier for their contributions to this episode, and for generously lending us their time, expertise, and helpful advice. Meanwhile, for similar content and to stay abreast of every new development, job opportunity, and Aim Hire episode, be sure to subscribe to our email updates at afciviliancareers.com/Subscribe.