5 Options for Veterans In Pursuit of Career Success

Often, the presented career options for military-connected students rely on what they did in the military. Many veterans want to change careers or start their businesses. While internships and other experiential learning options are helpful for specific fields, finding an internship that helps you how to improve your own business is challenging. Here are a few options for veterans pursuing career success in their chosen field or with their own businesses. 

Veterans in Residence

Bunker Labs has a business incubator that gives business owners and entrepreneurs a professional network, a co-working space (virtual or in person), a local community and targeted support. Their programs are open to veterans and military spouses in partnership with WeWork. Cohorts run for six months and start each January and July. These cohort members have had great success; almost half of them (44%) increased their run-rate revenue, and 89% reported accelerated business growth. Learn more here.

Career Readiness Program

This program, run by FourBlock, aims to give veterans and those leaving the military tools to build relationships and improve their professional knowledge. By partnering with companies across the country, participants learn about corporate cultures, work environments, and technical programs. The program runs twice a year in major cities during the fall and spring terms. Volunteer coaches support participants; even after they finish the program, they still have access to resources and the network.

Veteran Employment Transition Program

Wells Fargo offers the Veteran Employment Transition Program, often referred to as VET. It's 100% remote and aligns with the candidate's interest, experience and business needs. The program aims to hire employees from this internship. An 8-week program, sessions start in April and September with virtual training and orientation. Then the participants join a team for on-the-job training, mentorship and leadership insights.

Corporate Fellowship

Hiring our Heroes has a corporate fellowship program that prepares veterans and military spouses for a smooth transition into their next career. Fellowship candidates are matched with corporations based on their specific skills and what the company is looking for. Weekly classroom sessions accompany the real-world experience they gain during the fellowship. Cohort 2 has an application deadline of February 2023, and Cohort 3 is in June 2023.

Veterans Innovation Partnership Fellowship Program

The U.S. Department of State hosts a 12-month Veterans Innovation Partnership Fellowship. The program gives transitioning service members and veterans with a master's degree in international affairs, political science or a related field. Participants gain experience in foreign policy and build upon their military experience for a future in diplomatic careers. They get to experience all of the State Department by doing 30- to 60-day rotations at other offices.

Join a strong community of military veterans and their family members by connecting with other students at GGU.