
Veterans in Data Science: A Military‑to‑Civilian Pathway into Analytical Careers
Introduction The UK Government’s National AI Strategy projects that data‑driven innovation could add £630 billion to the economy by 2035. Employers across healthcare, defence, and fintech are scrambling for professionals who can turn raw data into actionable insights. In 2024 alone, job‑tracker Adzuna recorded a 42 % year‑on‑year rise in data‑science vacancies, with average advertised salaries surpassing £65k. For veterans, that talent drought is a golden opportunity. Whether you plotted artillery trajectories, decrypted enemy comms, or managed aircraft engine logs, you have already practised the fundamentals of hypothesis‑driven analysis and statistical rigour. This guide explains how to translate your military experience into civilian data‑science language, leverage Ministry of Defence (MoD) transition programmes, and land a rewarding role building predictive models that solve real‑world problems. Quick Win: Take a peek at our live Junior Data Scientist roles to see who’s hiring this week.