It isn’t enough to simply say “Thank you for your service.” We need to do all we can for those who have given their all. Helping those who have given so much is a privilege, an honor, and our duty. ~ David M. Reile, Ph.D.
Photo by Lucas Sankey on Unsplash
FOCUS ON: Rate of Veterans’ Unemployment Improving
Finding a job can be tough for anyone, yet veterans have historically held higher rates of unemployment than the general U.S. population. Good news emerged recently, though: data from the second quarter of 2013 shows that employment for veterans has increased so that the group has a current unemployment rate statistically similar to non-veterans. While recent veterans maintain the highest levels of unemployment, one interesting note is that lower unemployment rates for vets across all eras indicates that military service is beneficial to careers in the long run. Read more at: http://articles.latimes.com/2013/jul/23/local/la-me-veteran-unemployment-20130724
JOB SEARCHING: Websites Designed to Help Veterans
Searching for a new job is a task that is often full of uncertainty. For veterans, who often have unique qualifications and experiences, it can be particularly challenging to know which resources and websites can provide tailored assistance for their needs. A few places, however, are designed to provide useful information for those coming out of uniform. Try looking at My Next Move, Feds Hire Vets, from the Office of Personnel Management, or state-level Departments of Veteran Affairs offices (which can be found online) for some helpful information.
TOP TEN: Employers for Veterans
Did you know that almost one-third of Booz Allen Hamilton’s 25,000 employees have military backgrounds? Did you hear that SAIC has 25 full-time employees who focus on military hiring? These two companies – which are among the top employers offering skilled-labor positions for veterans – might be worth a second glance if your clients have military experience that they would like to continue using in a private-sector position. Curious to see who else made the list of top employers for veterans? Check out: http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/04/22/top-10-employers-for-veterans/.
FOR PRACTITIONERS: Providing Mental Health Services to Veterans
In recent years, there has been an increased focus on the mental health of returned veterans. Knowing the resources and trends is an important part of a career development professional’s task when supporting veterans seeking ways to reach both career and life goals. Look to federal websites – such as www.mentalhealth.va.gov – to learn more about services available to veterans, and national organizations such as Give An Hour (http://www.giveanhour.org), if you are a mental health professional interested in volunteering time to assist veterans in crisis. And, to read about one Texas initiative to help veterans through peer assistance, click on this:New York Times article.
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES: Helping Clients Strategize Funding
Helping a client who is interested in using the GI bill to return for a degree, but unsure of how to do it? What if it won’t be enough? Making sure that you understand the ways in which veterans can use their GI bill for education funding, and knowing how to look into other options, can help ensure that they will be fully covered when it comes to paying for school. In addition to school-specific programs, look into http://www.petersons.com/college-search/tuition-assistance-scholarships-veterans.aspx for some places to start when reviewing tuition assistance programs. In addition, clients can find information about the GI Bill at http://www.gibill.va.gov.
QUOTES
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” - John Fitzgerald Kennedy
“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.” - Cynthia Ozick