Warrior Q&A: Cynthia Kao, Operation Code, Executive Director

Breaking into tech can feel overwhelming after leaving the military, so Cynthia Kao lays out a clear first move: plug into Operation Code’s community and mentorship network. In this Warrior Money Q&A, the Operation Code executive director explains why the first two years post-service are the most vulnerable and why veterans need to show up for each other. She also shares the most future-proof “tech” skills to build first, including communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and understanding whether you’re people-driven or data-driven.