Veterans offer complex lived experiences and skills to the workplace. Despite these experiences and skills, veterans may face ageism and perceived inabilities during the job search process.
Find Internships and Jobs
The transition from military to civilian life can be difficult, especially when job searching is involved. The Veteran Employment Center and Veterans’ Employment and Training Services (VETS) help make this process easier. CareerOneStop, which is sponsored by the US Department of Labor, connects veterans with employment services and jobs that value skills learned in the military.
Find Community: Professional Associations and Networking Groups
Veteran Business Network help you find and connect with veteran-owned businesses. American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine has a veteran-focused community, Military/Veterans Affairs Networking Group, offers networking opportunities. Be sure to look into state or regional networking groups, such as Veterans Collaborative, which is specifically for veterans living in Massachusetts.
Know Your Rights
As a veteran, you have federal rights that help protect you in the event of workplace discrimination and general bias as a jobseeker. The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs guide details the affirmative action protections of the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act for veterans seeking employment at companies that do business with the federal government. The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has created a Veteran’s Guide to Employment Rights Under the Americans with Disabilities Act to assist veterans in understanding their rights as they transition to civilian employment and access reasonable accommodations.
Find Support at BU
Veterati is an online mentorship platform for BU’s military-affiliated students to connect military-affiliated community members to professional mentors. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Education and Career Counseling Program helps service members transition through career choice assistance, benefits coaching, and personalized support. BU’s Veterans & Military Services office can assist with applying your benefits to your BU education.
