I'm a high school junior considering a military career but worried about how veterans transition into civilian jobs afterward. What support or resources are available to help veterans find suitable employment once they leave the military?
There are several resources available to veterans for job placement and career transition. Frankly, starting with your question indicates a high degree of foresight—an admirable trait for any prospective military personnel!
To start, the U.S. Department of Labor provides the Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS). This program offers employment resources for veterans, protects employment rights, and promotes job opportunities. VETS aids veterans with hands-on assistance, providing career counseling, job search assistance, and arranging interviews with potential employers.
Secondly, the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) is another invaluable resource provided by the Department of Defense. TAP equips service members with the essential tools needed for effective job searches and comes with a Transition GPS Curriculum that covers career technical training, which is very helpful.
Moreover, you can also seek assistance from private sector services such as Hire Heroes USA, which provides resume assistance, mentoring, and job boards specifically geared toward veterans.
Lastly, the military itself offers skill training in a vast array of areas, from technical skills to leadership and teamwork, all of which are highly valued in the civilian job market. By the time your service ends, you will have a plethora of transferable skills that can be applied to many different work environments.
Keep in mind that the earlier you start planning, the smoother the transition will be. Try to use these resources during your final months in the military so you're fully prepared for civilian work once your service is complete!
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