There are many ways we thank veterans for their service. From a simple thank you to giving up first-class seats on airplanes; to discounts at restaurants and honoring them at sporting events. They’re all generous gestures and appreciated, but life after the military can be difficult. Therefore, one of the best ways we can thank a veteran is to recognize their value as future employees, colleagues and neighbors.

Estimates reveal that approximately 200,000 men and women leave the military each year. Transitioning to civilian life can be challenging for these veterans. For those who chose to serve in advance of a civilian career, the military has trained them, told them where to be, and certainly, what to wear.

Networking, while not a new concept, has become a significant component of modern life. Commonly associated with career advancement, the evolution of online social platforms has extended networking far beyond just opportunities to further one’s career.

Just a few years ago, only 20 percent of companies surveyed had developed a formal program for recruiting veterans. And in spite of an ever-tightening labor market, unemployment rates for veterans continue to trend higher than civilian and overall unemployment rates.

Even though transitioning to a civilian career might be challenging, if the job you’re interested in is similar to the role you had in the military, your future path could be pretty straightforward. But what if you don’t want to do the same type of job you did in the service?