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Great read by Sgt James Schmeling
I also qualified as a commuter student and did summer school versus internships. I got passed over for jobs I did in uniform.
I also qualified as a commuter student and did summer school versus internships. I got passed over for jobs I did in uniform.
why-information-resources-matter-james-schmeling
Posted from linkedin.com
Transition
Internship
Civilian Career
College
Resources
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 1
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I have been working on my bachelor's degree since 2000 and changed my major 6 times, so I can relate to the authors frustrations. Navigating college is a daunting task for anybody, not just veterans. Getting help from advisors is usually a waste of time since many aren't going to spoon feed you information. However I think it's great the author is reaching out to vets but it does require the individual to show some initiative. It's also kinda his fault for jumping the gun and not fully researching what employers were looking for in job candidates. Most career centers will have prerequisites listed under entry level job including required internships. "Nobody told me..." isn't going to fly in an interview or at a job fair. It not only makes you look unprepared but also entitled. Vets transitioning into the civilian world need to start seeing things from a different perspective and they need to understand being a vet doesn't automatically get you a job. Neither does a degree. Your military experience still matters but you need to translate in a way that employers can understand and appreciate.
Most colleges have a veterans resource department but as the author points out many don't use it. It's like the old adage, "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink." I think a solution would be showcasing stories of vet alums and describing their experiences. It will help inspire, motivate and challenge the ideas of many vets undergoing post secondary education. A lot people don't like being told what to do (directly), but if you display what other people did this might give them ideas (indirectly). Think about the philosophy of the carrot vs the stick. Show vets the rewards with a carrot instead of telling them what to do with a stick. Trick vets into using available resources instead of telling them they have to do it because they'll fail like the author did.
On a side note I can't believe the author joined the AF and went to Spain. He wore civilian clothes and was stationed with only 12 other people! Some people have all the luck. I'm almost not sorry about his past situation. Probably should have left that part out of the article.
Most colleges have a veterans resource department but as the author points out many don't use it. It's like the old adage, "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink." I think a solution would be showcasing stories of vet alums and describing their experiences. It will help inspire, motivate and challenge the ideas of many vets undergoing post secondary education. A lot people don't like being told what to do (directly), but if you display what other people did this might give them ideas (indirectly). Think about the philosophy of the carrot vs the stick. Show vets the rewards with a carrot instead of telling them what to do with a stick. Trick vets into using available resources instead of telling them they have to do it because they'll fail like the author did.
On a side note I can't believe the author joined the AF and went to Spain. He wore civilian clothes and was stationed with only 12 other people! Some people have all the luck. I'm almost not sorry about his past situation. Probably should have left that part out of the article.
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SGT (Join to see)
I doubt I've ever seen a job opening requiring an internship. Also, how established were VetSuccess advisors, SVA, GI Bill comparison tool, and similar 10 years ago?
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SPC (Join to see)
Internships or related experience in lieu of certain requirements are usually listed for entry level jobs. The career centers are my colleges have it because of past issues, if your college career center doesn't then bring it up to the student council leadership. Many career counselors in my experience leave it up the employer to post whatever information they want. Sometimes they leave out other important information like A+ or Cisco certifications needed. Then the student comes back looking like an idiot. If your college career center is lacking basic requirements on its job listing its definitely something to bring up. Which is another thing vets need to work on and that's asking for help. As a soldier you make it work with what you've got, in the civilian world you can complain and demand things. And presto things change.
Vet resources 16 years ago were poorly staffed or nonexistent in my area. 10 years ago I'm not sure? 16 years ago it really sucked when I first tried to use it. Same old Educational flyers and brochures. No tools, no resources, no website, no one to talk to, just a phone number to the local VA and a ROTC poster. That changed in my area gradually when injured vets who were eligible for claims needed VRE (Voc Rehab). Other vets were confused which benefit they were eligible for. We also have the Salute Honor Society besides SVA. Some colleges in my area also give credit for military courses and experience. All vets at my college get the Health & PE credit just for being in the military. The author is doing a great thing but the problem of getting vets involved is tricky. Some colleges in my area don't advertise their vet resource center, my college has a mandatory orientation for all incoming vets.
Vet resources 16 years ago were poorly staffed or nonexistent in my area. 10 years ago I'm not sure? 16 years ago it really sucked when I first tried to use it. Same old Educational flyers and brochures. No tools, no resources, no website, no one to talk to, just a phone number to the local VA and a ROTC poster. That changed in my area gradually when injured vets who were eligible for claims needed VRE (Voc Rehab). Other vets were confused which benefit they were eligible for. We also have the Salute Honor Society besides SVA. Some colleges in my area also give credit for military courses and experience. All vets at my college get the Health & PE credit just for being in the military. The author is doing a great thing but the problem of getting vets involved is tricky. Some colleges in my area don't advertise their vet resource center, my college has a mandatory orientation for all incoming vets.
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