Just Keep Moving: How a Black Hawk Pilot Transitioned to a Career on Wall Street

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Episode Description

This week we are honored to be joined by Heather Burns, Senior Vice President in Securities Finance at Jefferies, a diversified financial services company engaged in investment banking and capital markets, asset management and direct investing.

Throughout this episode, Heather covers a variety of topics, from her personal military experience as a U.S. Army Black Hawk pilot to her transition to the world of corporate finance to her passion for endurance sports as an ultramarathon runner. In conversation with hosts Lindsey and Mike, she shares why she joined the Army, how she decided to go to business school, and what made her choose a career on Wall Street.

Heather also discusses her current career at Jefferies and shares why Jefferies is a great place for veterans to work, from their Veterans Affinity Group that provides one-on-one mentorship to their organizational commitment to all employees’ physical and mental wellness. She closes out the episode with some invaluable advice for veterans who are just starting their transition out of the military as well as veterans looking to begin a career on Wall Street.

Heather has been working on Wall Street for over a decade. Prior to pursuing a civilian career in financial services, Heather served as a UH-60 Black Hawk pilot stationed at Fort Campbell, KY.

She received a B.S. from Penn State University and an M.B.A from the University of Notre Dame. Heather is also an ultra-marathoner, triathlete, and mom.

About Us

Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term “Three Block War” to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.

FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.

Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, FourBlock founder, and author of two military transition books. He’ll be representing the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey will be representing the civilian perspective of this issue.

Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org. Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate.