Career Counseling for Veterans: A Mission Reimagined with Leora Opstelten
When military service ends, a new chapter begins—one often filled with uncertainty, identity shifts, and countless career questions. For many transitioning service members, reintegrating into civilian life can feel disorienting, especially when it comes to launching a fulfilling career. In this episode of the VET S.O.S. Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight, we meet Leora Opstelten, a passionate advocate and professional who has dedicated her business to one thing: career counseling for veterans.
Leora’s work is not just about writing resumes—it’s about rebuilding confidence, reframing military experience, and helping veterans discover careers aligned with their goals and values. Her unique journey from recruiter to entrepreneur sheds light on how personalized, intentional support can make all the difference.
From Recruiter to Advocate: A Personal Pivot Toward Purpose
Leora OpsteltenBefore founding her business, Leora Opstelten worked in corporate recruitment across industries including legal tech, healthcare, and hospitality. As a recruiter, she often reviewed veteran resumes for long-term federal tech roles—and what she saw deeply concerned her.
“These resumes were awful,” Leora explains. “And I kept thinking—there’s a transition program, right? Why is no one helping them tell their story?”
This experience planted the seed for what would later grow into a thriving practice in career counseling for veterans. Driven by frustration and empathy, Leora began volunteering her time to review and rewrite resumes for veterans in her community. It wasn’t long before she realized the gap in support wasn’t just about formatting or job titles—it was about translating military identity into civilian relevance.
The Military-Civilian Language Barrier
One of the most overlooked challenges in veteran career development is language. As Leora puts it, “The Army doesn’t speak Marine, Marines don’t speak Navy—how can any of you be expected to speak civilian?”
This communication barrier is central to why career counseling for veterans is so critical. Veterans possess skills like leadership, crisis management, and operational execution—yet these traits are often buried under acronyms and jargon that civilian employers don’t understand.
Leora’s expertise lies in interpreting “military speak” and reframing it into powerful civilian resumes and interview narratives. She empowers her clients to communicate their value clearly and confidently, ensuring hiring managers see beyond job titles and into real capability.
Creating a Business Built for Military Life
Leora’s entrepreneurial journey is deeply tied to her personal life. While engaged to an active-duty Marine, she prepared to relocate to a remote area in the mountains of California. Concerned about losing career momentum, she decided to build a virtual business that could travel with her.
Thus, Career Counseling by Leora was born—a flexible, fully remote career support service built with veterans in mind. She launched her business while completing her Master of Education in Educational Counseling at the University of Southern California and gained experience in veteran resource centers at USC, UCLA, and Texas A&M.
Later, after her engagement ended and following years of working in higher education, she returned to her business full-time—reinvigorated by her belief in career counseling for veterans as a pathway to dignity, direction, and self-worth.
Why Career Counseling for Veterans Is More Than Resume Help
Veterans face a deeply emotional and psychological shift when transitioning into civilian careers. For Leora’s late husband, this meant struggling to find the same sense of mission he had in the military. Jobs came and went, and with each one, the sense of disconnection grew.
“There’s no higher purpose in many civilian jobs,” she notes. “You’re not saving lives; you’re helping a company make money. That hit him hard.”
This disconnect is common. Many veterans feel pressured to accept the first job offered, even when red flags arise during interviews. These roles often don’t stick, leading to job hopping, self-doubt, and identity confusion.
Through career counseling for veterans, Leora helps break this cycle. She challenges her clients to ask: “Is this what you really want to do, or what you think you should do?” That one question has helped dozens of veterans reframe their job search around passion, purpose, and fit—not just experience.
The Impact of Life and Loss
In March 2025, Leora’s husband passed away unexpectedly. For many, this tragedy would mark the end of entrepreneurship. But Leora chose to keep going—not just for herself, but to honor his pride in her work.
“He was so proud of what I was doing,” she says. “He would have been disappointed if I gave up.”
Her story is a powerful reminder that career counseling for veterans isn’t just a service—it’s a mission. For Leora, it represents resilience, purpose, and the drive to make a difference in the lives of those who’ve served.
How Leora Serves the Veteran Community
Leora’s services are deeply customized and designed to meet veterans where they are. Whether someone is fresh out of service or years into their civilian career but still feeling lost, her approach is warm, strategic, and actionable.
Her offerings include:
Career Exploration: Using reliable assessments and coaching to identify new directions beyond the military MOS.
Resume Development: Translating military achievements into civilian-friendly bullet points that resonate with hiring managers.
Interview Preparation: Role-playing and scripting to ensure confidence and clarity during interviews.
LinkedIn Optimization: Helping veterans tell their professional story in a way that draws recruiters and builds their brand.
One-on-One Coaching: Tailored packages based on a veteran’s goals, challenges, and timeline.
All sessions are delivered virtually, allowing veterans across time zones and mobility limitations to access expert help.
What Makes Her Approach Unique?
Many organizations claim to support veterans, but few offer the depth and personalization that Leora does. Her business is not a one-size-fits-all factory—it’s a relationship. She invites every new client to start with a free 15-minute consultation to ensure mutual fit.
“You have to trust the person you’re working with,” she emphasizes. “And I have to understand where you’re at—do you know what you want to do? Are you completely lost? That’s okay. We can figure it out.”
Leora’s combination of professional expertise, personal experience, and heartfelt empathy make her a trusted guide in the space of career counseling for veterans.
How to Connect
If you or someone you know is transitioning out of the military and facing career uncertainty, Leora invites you to reach out.
📍 Website: careercounselingbyleora.com
📧 Email: Available via her website
📅 Free Consultation: Book directly through the site for a 15-minute Zoom call
Final Thoughts: A Lifeline in the Sea of Transition
Military transition is rarely easy. But with the right support, it can be transformative. Career counseling for veterans—when done well—empowers former service members to reclaim their voice, rediscover their purpose, and redefine what success looks like on their own terms.
Through Career Counseling by Leora, one woman’s mission is helping veterans everywhere realize that their service doesn’t end—it evolves.
They’re not starting over. They’re starting strong.
