Consulting Practice Manager & Veteran
Meet Riley Way, a former Navy special warfare boat operator who has found a new sense of purpose and camaraderie at Oracle NetSuite. With 12 years of military service under his belt, Riley shares his journey of transitioning to a career in tech and what makes Oracle an exceptional employer for Veterans.
Riley’s decision to join the military was driven by a desire for adventure and a sense of fulfillment. “Joining the military was the best decision for me,” he says. “It led to increasingly challenging experiences, expanding my perspective, and developing a broader view of life.” Today, Riley applies the skills he honed in the Navy to his role as a consulting practice manager at NetSuite.
Finding a new home
The transition to civilian life is a big moment for any serviceperson, and the lifestyle change hits everyone differently. One of the things Riley misses most about his Navy days is the adrenaline rush and thrill of driving performance boats, skydiving, and intense physical training. However, he also cherishes his memories of the camaraderie that came from making it through difficult situations as a team. “I can’t describe how close I felt with those I worked closely with and lived with for years on end,” he says.
However, he managed to tap into a whole new spirit of collaboration in his new role from the very beginning. Riley’s transition to NetSuite was seamless, thanks to our well-structured onboarding process and the support of his colleagues. When asked what stood out most, he’s quick to answer.
“The people first and foremost,” he shares, “each person I interacted with was professional, competent, and enjoyable to be around.” Once he joined, NetSuite’s positive atmosphere, challenges, and growth opportunities made it feel like finding a new home.
Riley’s experience is no accident. We always say ‘Veterans belong at Oracle’ and it’s something that we take pride in as a regular VETS Indexes 5 Star Employer. From our partnership with the Department of Defense’s SkillBridge program for transitioning servicepeople to the Oracle Cloud Veteran Academy to our comprehensive Veteran Internship Program—we cover all the main tech career entry points while making the most of military experience.
Leadership experience
As a consulting practice manager, Riley works closely with people—something that he looks forward to every day. “Being part of a team where I genuinely enjoy the company of my colleagues makes all the difference,” he says. Our culture stands out in many ways because of its emphasis on support, collaboration, and inclusion.”
His twin talents for connection and inspiring action were clear from the beginning, and he quickly rose from functional consultant to consulting practice manager. Promotions aren’t left to chance here either and people are groomed for greater responsibility if that’s how they want to develop.
“A leader recognized my background in the military and previous leadership experience. Throughout the training, I was committed to supporting other consultants around me, which in turn showed my suitability for the role I hold now,” he explains.
Today, his schedule is divided between assisting consultants on his team and improving the overall consulting practice. Riley also takes on mentorship responsibilities through one-on-one conversations with consultants about their projects and careers. In finding his way to NetSuite, he’s also found a way to continue serving others.
Veteran community
One reason for this is Oracle’s broad range of employee resource groups (ERGs) like the Military Affiliated Veteran Employee Network (MAVEN). Riley’s experience with MAVEN has allowed him to give back while connecting with like-minded individuals. “MAVEN is a great way for Veterans, those who are military affiliated, or any allies to connect and bond over common interests,” he says. In many ways it’s an ‘instant community’ that helps smooth the way for Veterans by putting them in direct contact with people who understand their experiences.
For transitioning active duty servicepeople and Veterans considering a career in tech, Riley advises diving into research, exploring job titles, companies, and relevant degrees. It’s an approach that just about anyone can take to boost their chances. “The tech industry offers dynamic opportunities,” he says.
“Personally, I found immense value in speaking with hundreds of people during my transition, as they provided insights into various careers, industries, and educational paths.”
If you’re a Veteran looking for a new challenge and a sense of camaraderie, explore our latest career opportunities and discover why Oracle is an exceptional employer.