Military-Affiliated Students
We provide veteran and military service members with resources for career exploration, skill translation and job readiness.
In a challenging job market it might be tempting to dive straight into job hunting, but the most effective searches are found in preparation. The following resources will guide you in preparing for a civilian career.
PathwayU
Career planning is essential for finding the right match between your individual strengths and the ideal work environment. The first step in identifying your motivations, interests, and strengths is to take the PathwayU assessments.
If you would like to discuss your PathwayU results, please schedule an appointment with the Academic & Career Exploration team on Hawk Central.
Military Crosswalk
The Military Crosswalk assessment guides veterans and service members through career exploration and provides information on civilian occupations to help them transition out of their previous roles, while still leveraging their past military experience. The military crosswalk:
- Connects occupations in the platform to military classification systems. Students can find related civilian job titles and descriptions by entering a Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) code, Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC), or Navy Rating.
- Helps translate military skills and experience into civilian terms, making it easier for veterans to find appropriate positions and knowledge to describe their skills.
Veterans' Employment and Training Service
The Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) resource guide is a comprehensive guide designed to help veterans, transitioning service members, and their families navigate the employment landscape. It aims to ensure that veterans have the tools and resources they need to successfully transition to civilian employment and access the benefits they have earned through their service.
Veteran and Military Transition Center
Assists veterans in translating military terms, acronyms, job titles, schools, and awards into civilian-friendly language. For example,
- PCS becomes relocation
- Commander becomes Division Head
VISIT VETERAN & MILITARY TRANSITION CENTER
Practice Interviews
Practice interviews are essential for students as they help build confidence, improve communication skills, and refine responses to potential questions. UND Career Services provides a safe environment to receive constructive feedback, be a source of reassurance, and increase the likelihood of success in actual interviews.
For veterans and military service members, practice interviews are particularly valuable in translating your unique experiences and skills to civilian job opportunities. By simulating the interview experience, all students can better articulate their strengths, identify areas for improvement, and develop strategies to present themselves to employers effectively. You can make an appointment to practice these skills with the Career Services team on Hawk Central.
LinkedIn Learning provides access to courses tailored to help veterans build new skills or translate their military skills to civilian roles. LinkedIn offers specific resources and tools for veterans, such as the LinkedIn Military and Veterans Program, which includes a free one-year premium career subscription.
Networking and Community
Connections
Proactively connect with other veterans, military-friendly recruiters, and professionals in desired career fields.
Groups
Join veteran-specific LinkedIn groups like the Veteran Mentor Network, Veterans Job Search Group, and industry-specific veteran groups to gain insights and support.
Organizations
Follow companies and organizations that are known for supporting veterans (e.g., Hire Heroes USA, Wounded Warrior Project).
Job and Internship Search Resources
- Handshake: A great place to look for job and internship opportunities.
- Feds Hire Vets: A program that aims to ensure that veterans have access to federal jobs and receive the support they need to succeed in their federal careers.
- State Employment Agencies/America’s Job Bank: Provides key resources designed to assist individuals, including veterans, in finding employment and accessing job-related services.
- DOD Civilian Job Search Website: This site provides a centralized platform for job seekers interested in working as civilians within the Department of Defense.
- Troops for Teachers: The Troops for Teachers (TTT) program is designed to help military veterans transition to teaching careers. This program provides support and resources to help veterans and service members become teachers and teacher aides in K-12 schools across the United States.
- Federal Employment Opportunities: Provides access to thousands of federal job listings, including positions in various departments and agencies.
- My Next Move: Helps bridge military experience with civilian job opportunities, offering career suggestions based on interests, skills, or military responsibilities. It also provides role descriptions, salary expectations, minimum qualifications, and industry trends.