Veterans transitioning from the military to careers in civilian business/industry, government and other careers are often faced with two challenges:

• How to translate education, experience, skills and training from a military to civilian environment to be a competitive candidate for recruitment and hiring?
• How to develop the soft skills necessary to succeed in a civilian corporate or government environment, particularly in business sectors not closely connected to the military?

The Veterans Career Transition Program, operated by the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University, is delivered at no cost to post-9/11 veterans and paid for in entirety by a grant from JPMorgan Chase & Co. The VCTP offers solutions to the above challenges, as well as connections to specific education and training programs, business/industry coalitions focused on veteran employment and information about national and state-level opportunities and benefits for veterans and their families.

Through online courses—accessible from any location, at any time–veterans have the opportunity to gain an understanding and insight into the corporate culture of civilian business/industry, government and other civilian sector employment opportunities.

Eligibility

You must be a post-9/11 veteran or military service member within one year of transition from military service to the civilian workforce. This includes Guard and Reserve members who have civilian sector employment, or will be transitioning into the civilian sector within one year. You may be employed and seeking career advancement or change, underemployed (working in a field other than your qualifications would prepare you for, or working for lower salary or fewer hours than you would like) or unemployed. The VCTP requires an application (which reviews your preparedness and likelihood of success in the program) as well as your career goals and fit with the program’s offerings.

Professional Skills Track

The Professional Skills Track gives you skills to effectively prepare for and execute job searches, including company research, and résumé and cover letter writing. Participants become official SU students and receive non-credit certificates upon completion. This track also offers a foundation to advanced level courses in Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. You will be assigned an academic advisor to assist you as you progress through the program.

Tech Track

Interested in launching a career in information technology but not sure where to start? The Tech Track is focused on preparing transitioning service members for their next careers in operations or IT. Participants become official SU students and receive non-credit certificates upon completion. Where applicable, the program will pay the graduate’s associated exam fees for industry certification.