Navigating the career world after serving in the military can be a challenging transition for many veterans. Fortunately, several resources, programs, and initiatives are readily available to assist veterans during this essential period in creating successful civilian careers. This article will focus on veterans' career resources, delving into available opportunities and strategies to help veterans advance their careers.
Employment Programs for Veterans
There are several employment programs designed to help veterans transition successfully into civilian occupations.
The Veteran Employment Services Office (VESO) is a critical resource for veterans seeking federal employment. This agency provides job announcement information, facilitates applications, and offers coaching during the transition process.
The Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) serves America's veterans and separating service members by preparing them for meaningful careers, providing employment resources and expertise, and protecting their employment rights.
The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) also offers a variety of services to eligible service members and veterans, including job training, employment accommodations, and resume development.
Education and Training Resources
In addition to direct employment programs, there are numerous resources aimed at providing veterans with the education and training necessary for career advancement.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill is a major advantage for many veterans, offering up to 36 months of education benefits for approved programs. The benefits can be used for traditional degrees, non-college degree programs, and vocational training, among other things.
CareerScope® is an assessment tool that measures a veteran's interests and aptitude and identifies potential career paths.
The High Technology Industry Training (VET TEC) is a program that provides veterans with accelerated training in coding boot camps and information science programs, sectors with significant career opportunities.
Network Opportunities
Networking is a crucial element in career advancement. Many resources are targeted to help veterans build professional networks.
LinkedIn's Military and Veteran Programs offer free LinkedIn Premium to veterans, which includes advanced networking tools, enhanced search, and course access via LinkedIn Learning.
American Corporate Partners (ACP) is a free program for veterans, providing one-on-one mentoring with professionals from major corporations, small businesses, and nonprofits.
RallyPoint is an online network where U.S. service members and veterans come together to help each other succeed.
Job Search Resources
Finding the right job opportunity is a vital step in advancing one's career. Several tools and platforms are tailored to the job search needs of veterans.
USAJOBS is the federal government's official employment site, which has a veterans section that allows you to search for federal jobs.
Hire Heroes USA provides free job search tools, including resume creation, job board access, and mock interviews.
Military.com’s Veteran Jobs section has a job board with veteran-focused job opportunities and a Military Skills Translator tool to help match military skills to civilian jobs.
Transition Assistance Program (TAP) provides information, tools, and training to ensure service members and their families are prepared for the next step in civilian life, including a comprehensive job search tool.
Career Advancement Resources
Lastly, resources dedicated to helping veterans excel in their careers and reach their desired career goals are also available.
The Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) not only provides vocational training programs for career transitions, but also offers resources for industry certification preparation and credentialing.
American Legion Scholarship provides scholarships for veterans looking to earn professional certifications or improve their entrepreneurship skills.
While making the transition from military to civilian life can be daunting, veterans don't have to navigate this journey alone. With a wide array of resources dedicated to career advancement, professional network building, and job search, veterans are equipped to thrive beyond their military service.
