JUNE 30– We were proud to interview MedTechVet Program Mentor, Jack Saladow. Jack is currently the President of his own consulting business, Jack Saladow & Associates.
He specifically provides sales, marketing, and strategic planning services to manufacturers of a wide range of medical devices and technology. After returning from a stint in the Peace Corps, he accepted an offer from McGaw Laboratories and has enjoyed a 49-year career in the healthcare industry.
“My mentorship activities with MedTechVets have been extremely rewarding…Working with and getting to know military veterans, their families and their interests and backgrounds and being able to play a role in their search for a start to a meaningful new career has been an honor and I can only sum it up as – it has been just GREAT. “-JACK SALADOW
What role are you currently in and what company do you currently work for?
“I am currently the President of my own consulting business, Jack Saladow & Associates. I have provided sales, marketing, and strategic planning services to manufacturers of a wide range of medical devices and technology for the past 34 years.”
What led you to obtain a role within the MedTech space?
“After returning from a stint in the Peace Corps, I started looking for new work opportunities and found myself receiving two job offers on the same day. One from a publishing company, which was a fit from my education and early work experience and one from McGaw Laboratories that manufactured and sold IV fluids and related equipment to hospitals and other healthcare facilities – an area that I was totally unfamiliar with.
While debating the pluses and minuses of each offer at a close friend’s house one evening, my friend turned to me and said ‘you know, sometimes it’s best to go down a road you have not gone down before.’ I will be forever grateful for his advice that evening as eventually, the next day I accepted the offer from McGaw Laboratories and my current 49-year career in the healthcare industry began.”
What led you to become a mentor for MedTechVets?
“In my career, I have been very fortunate to work alongside a number of veterans who choose to explore opportunities in the healthcare industry. In addition, I have also been exposed to a considerable number of young Marines just starting their military careers through the Camp Pendleton Thanksgiving holiday program “Adopt a Marine for a Day” that our family participates in each year. This soon exposed me to the road taken by veterans already working in the industry and to the future goals of these young Marines.
It was in 2014 that I began to investigate ways in which I could provide some assistance to members of the military as they exit military life. I eventually researched several organizations and the one that impressed me the most was MVPVets located in Carlsbad, CA. I began my involvement with MVPVets in 2015 and it has continued through its move to the East Coast and reorganization as MedTechVets.”
“The move from a military career into a civilian work career is a process and one that can take some time. It is important to be focused, be patient, understand that disappointments may occur in the process but its most important to learn from the experience and that it presents an opportunity for growth.”-JACK SALADOW
What has your mentorship journey with MedTechVets been like?
“My mentorship activities with MedTechVets have been extremely rewarding. They have provided me with an opportunity to continue to fulfill my desire to give back and support others as they venture out into a new and exciting time in their lives.
Working with and getting to know military veterans, their families and their interests and backgrounds and being able to markedly play a role in their search for a start to a meaningful new career has been an honor and I can only sum it up as – it has been just GREAT.”
Any advice for veterans?
“The move from a military career into a civilian work career is a process and one that can take some time. It is important to be focused, be patient, understand that disappointments may occur in the process, but its most important to learn from the experience and that it presents an opportunity for growth.
It is extremely critical to build a wide network that you communicate with regularly and keep yourself present in the market. Regardless, never hesitate to ask for assistance as you move forward. Remember the transition from a long-term military career into the civilian work environment can be challenging and at times very frustrating, but the result can provide satisfaction and rewards that can last a lifetime.”
What are your key takeaways from being a mentor?
“Similar to some of the advice I shared above for veterans it is important for a mentor to be caring, be a good listener, to be supportive, but also be honest. Be available – discuss with the veteran your availability as well as theirs and provide guidance as to the best times to communicate with each other outside of the organized Program Sessions. Be open to share your experiences to provide the veteran a broader prospective of what a career in healthcare may offer them – and to be patient as this is potentially a completely new experience for the veteran. d it is important to let them feel comfortable and allow them to grow into it at a comfortable pace.”
“You know, sometimes it’s best to go down a road you have not gone down before.”
What does the future look like for you? Do you have any exciting trips planned?
“I am still active with my consulting activities and look forward to continuing an involvement, as needed, with MedTechVets. My wife, Sheri is just retiring from working for the Capistrano School System so we will do some traveling. Presently, we have a trip planned in October with some friends to camp in a Geodesic Dome in the Moab Utah area to view a solar eclipse. We also look forward to spending time with our daughters and their families which currently include 6 grandchildren.”
Anything else you’d like to share?
“Just my continued thanks to MedTechVets and its staff for the untiring work that they do and the tremendous opportunities that they make available to our military veterans.”
Interested in connecting with Jack?
Connect with him on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-saladow-349b286/
About MedTechVets
MedTechVets is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving Veterans during career transition and beyond. Our Vision is to build a bridge to help Veterans find meaningful employment in the Medical Technology Industry.
We bridge the gap for Veterans by providing personalized career transition services, mentorship, and career development guidance. We serve Veterans who plan to enter the MedTech, Life Sciences, Pharmaceutical, or Medical Device industries.
MedTechVets is proud to be endorsed by Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed).
When a Veteran’s military skills and experiences are translated to civilian language, recruiting managers see the benefits of hiring a qualified Veteran. Veterans are able to see the roles within the MedTech, Medical Device, Life Sciences, and Pharmaceutical industries that would best suit their skill set and career aspirations.
MedTechVets Foundational Program is a specialized program that provides more than generic advice about transitioning into medical-related career fields.
If you would like to learn more information about MedTechVets, please go to our page https://mvpvets2014dev.wpengine.com/contact-us/.
