You don’t need anyone to tell you that transitioning to civilian life will have challenges; you’ve discovered that by now. And navigating the terrain of a university can be as overwhelming as the first hour of basic training (education) and just as exciting as graduation from Jumpmaster school (skydiving instructor). But when viewed in the right context, joining a university community is like being a member in a unit. Professors are equivalent to highly trained Officers who outline and guide you through the mission and your classmates share the same mission as you of earning a college degree. The logistics of the mission center around academic advisement to ensure comprehension in carrying out the mission, and your specific role in completion of the mission includes utilizing campus resources such as University Career Services. Commonly referred to as UCS, and primarily housed on the second floor of Hanes Hall, our counselors are trained to assist you in outlining your career and professional development path. We combine our professional training and understanding of the challenges student veterans face to provide personalized services in an environment that is embracing and affirming. We offer career/major assessment tools, career, internship and graduate school fairs; resume, cover letter and mock interview assistance; on-campus recruitment events, online resources and workshops. In fact, we are hosting several workshops in the fall specifically for student veterans.
• LinkedIn Lab for Student Veterans & Military Spouses (must be UNC students/alumni); Sept. 14 at 4:00pm, Hanes Hall rm. 239 (bring your laptop)
• Military to Civilian Resumes Part I, Sept. 28 at 4:00pm, Hanes Hall rm. 239 (bring your laptop and attendance at both sessions is highly suggested)
• Military to Civilian Resumes Part II, Oct. 12 at 4:00pm, Hanes Hall rm. 239 (bring your laptop and attendance at both sessions is highly suggested)
These workshops will help you understand job announcements and connect your military experience to transferable civilian careers; as outlined above in parenthesis; and provide tips on networking and connecting online with potential employers and current UNC alumni. Being mission ready is second nature for you so apply this transferable skill to your professional transition to the civilian workplace.
Thank you for your service to our country!
By Tamara Taylor, Assistant Director
University Career Services