Military veterans represent a unique type of non-traditional student and must overcome distinctive challenges to reintegrate into the civilian workforce. With an influx of over one million veterans projected to enter higher education in the next several years, career services personnel must be prepared to provide the level of service these students need and deserve. This course helps career services practitioners understand the unique obstacles veterans face in the reintegration process, how to help them translate their military experience into civilian language and provides strategies & tools that can support veterans in becoming gainfully employed.

Module 1: Two-World Collision

• Assess military-to-civilian transition as it relates to career management
• Debunk generalizations and negative stereotypes
• Examine how expectations often lead to frustration and sense of hopelessness
• Recognize military-to-civilian transitional baggage
• Explore methods to enhance a positive attitude

Module 2: Skills Pay the Bills

• Compare civilian speak to military speak
• Convert military personnel backgrounds into the civilian workforce
• Translate military job titles into a civilian counterpart
• Interpret and enhance military personnel transferable and soft skills
• Identify companies looking to hire military personnel

Module 3: Connecting to Civilian Life

• Construe military networking insecurities
• Reveal digital traps and evaluate procedures to avoid scams
• Review online etiquette pertaining to military personnel
• Construct career marketing packaging requirements
• Uncover how the S.T.A.R. method connects with civilian employers

Module 4: Mission Accomplished

• Determine what civilian hiring managers are looking for
• Analyze measures to eliminate adverse messages
• Formulate cover letter content from an employer’s perspective
• Review civilian career marketing expectations
• Develop interview strategies veterans identify with