Know where you’re going. Build the path to get there.
Career paths, industry research, immersion experiences, internships, and the funding to make it happen — all built around where your military service can take you next.
Where Syracuse Student Veterans Launch Their Careers
Before you decide where you’re going, it helps to know where others like you have gone. SU student veterans consistently achieve strong outcomes — not because of luck, but because of early engagement, deliberate career planning, and the resources available through VCS.
The data below reflects the most recent First Destination Survey results for Syracuse University’s military-connected students (2025).
-
100%
Undergraduate Placement Rate
Ten consecutive years.
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76%
Working at Graduation
Employed within six months.
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17%
Continuing Service
Military and careers are not mutually exclusive.
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5%
Graduate School
Pursuing advanced degrees.
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$97,473
Average Starting Salary
Above the national average for new graduates.
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$4,889
Average Signing Bonus
Source: 2025 First Destination Survey.
Who Recruits SU Veterans
These employers have engaged with Veteran Career Services 10 or more times. They know our students. They come back.
| Finance & Consulting | Defense & Government |
| EY | U.S. Secret Service |
| Fiserv | Lockheed Martin |
| Bloomberg | Federal Bureau of Investigation |
| Visons | General Dynamics |
311 total employer partners actively recruiting SU veterans and military-connected students across every industry.
OVMA Employer Partners — Current Openings
View OVMA Employer Partners on HandshakeBrowse our curated collection of companies known to actively hire SU’s military-connected students — with their current job and internship vacancies updated in real time.
Internships
Now that you’ve seen where Syracuse student veterans are launching their careers, let’s look at one of the most effective ways to get there: internships.
For military-connected students, internships serve a specific strategic purpose: they bridge the gap between your service experience and civilian career expectations. Many employers want to see civilian workplace experience alongside your military record. An internship fills that gap — and opens doors.
Why Internships Matter for Military-Connected Students
- Build civilian work history that complements your military record
- Explore industries and roles before committing to a career path
- Develop professional references outside the military
- Earn income while building your résumé
- Demonstrate civilian workplace adaptability to future employers
- Many internships convert to full-time offers
How to Find Internships on Handshake
- Log in at syr.joinhandshake.com and complete your profile if you haven’t already
- Use the Jobs tab to search for internships — filter by industry, location, and date
- Save searches and set up alerts so you don’t miss deadlines
- Look for employers flagged as veteran-friendly — they actively recruit military-connected talent
- Book an appointment with VCS to review your résumé before applying
Search Internships on Handshake
OVMA Undergraduate Internship Award — Up to $5,000
The OVMA Undergraduate Internship Award provides up to $5,000 in funding to eligible undergraduate student veterans completing internships. The award is designed to make internship participation financially accessible, regardless of whether the internship is paid.
- Open to undergraduate student veterans in good academic standing
- Applies to internships across any industry or career field
- Past recipients have interned at Regeneron, Upstate Medical University, Byrne Dairy, the Warrior Scholar Project, the Council of Europe, and more
- Submit your application via Handshake — search ‘OVMA Internship Award’ under Jobs
Syracuse University Student Employment and Internship Support
Learn MoreAlso known as ‘Cuse Works, we look forward to connecting students with employment and internship resources.
Career Immersion Trips
115+ Students Have Participated in VCS Career Immersion Trips
- 100% of NYC trip participants would recommend the trip to fellow student veterans
- 9.8/10 average satisfaction rating (NYC, Fall 2024)
- Employers visited include CBS Mornings, Ernst & Young, General Dynamics, Chobani, Carrier Corporation, and more
- Trips are made possible through donor support — cost to students is minimal
| “This trip is such a valuable experience… your chance to actually see the types of employment opportunities available to you.” — Ryan Y. ’23, Policy Studies, Information Management & Technology, Veteran |
Upcoming Trips
Atlanta
October 2026
VCS’s next Career Immersion Trip takes students to Atlanta — a growing hub for technology, finance, healthcare, and defense. Employer details to be announced.
Coming SoonNew York City
Spring 2027
New York City is one of VCS’s premier immersion destinations. Past trips have included visits to CBS Mornings and Ernst & Young. Employer lineup to be announced.
Coming SoonPast Trips
Each trip in VCS’s history has provided students with direct employer access, alumni connections, and career clarity.
New York City
Fall 2024
CBS morning, Ernst & Young. Tour of city and offices.
Washington, DC
FY 2024-25
Government, Defense, and policy employers in the national’s capital
Central New York
March 2025
Novelis, Visions FCU, Chobani, Carrier Corporation, NY State DOT
| “It expands your possibilities of employment and networking.” — Jennifer A. ‘23, Linguistic Studies, Veteran |
Job Search
Successful job searches are intentional — not accidental. Finding the right job isn’t about applying to everything; it’s about applying strategically. A targeted résumé, an active Handshake profile, a growing network, and an understanding of when to apply will always outperform a spray-and-pray approach.
Understanding the Recruiting Calendar
| August — October | Fall recruiting peaks. Major employers post full-time roles and internships. Career fairs and employer events are most active. This is the most important window of the year. |
| November — December | Slower posting period but networking stays active. Follow up on fall applications. Use winter break strategically — see Making Breaks Count below. |
| January — March | Spring recruiting. Summer internship deadlines are active. A second strong window for employers hiring for summer roles. |
| April — July | Internship season. Use the summer to build skills, certifications, and experience through internships and programs like O2O, MSSA, or the Cisco Academy. |
Use Handshake for Job Search
- Search ‘veteran-friendly’ to filter employers who actively recruit military-connected talent
- Set up job alerts for your target roles and locations
- Follow companies you’re interested in to see new postings immediately
- Register for employer information sessions and career fairs through Handshake
- Apply early — many roles close before the posted deadline
Explore Your Options
Ready to explore? Whether you’re deciding on a major, considering a career pivot, or evaluating graduate programs, VCS can help you connect your interests and military background to the right path.
Top Graduate Programs Among SU’s Military-Connected Students
These are the programs most frequently pursued by SU’s military-connected graduate students (FY 2023–2024):
- Business Administration — Whitman School of Management
- Public Administration — Maxwell School
- Applied Data Science — School of Information Studies
- Business Analytics — Whitman School of Management
- Communications — Newhouse School
- Law — College of Law
- Project Management — School of Information Studies
- Executive MPA — Maxwell School
Should I Go to Graduate School?
One of the most common questions VCS advisors hear: “Should I go straight to work, or go back to school first?” There is no universal answer — but there is a framework for thinking it through.
- Does your target career field require or prefer an advanced degree?
- Will a graduate degree meaningfully increase your earning potential or career trajectory in your field?
- Can you pursue a graduate degree while working, or does the program require full-time enrollment?
- How will you fund graduate school? GI Bill benefits, scholarships, and employer tuition assistance are all options.
- Is there value in gaining civilian work experience before returning to school? Many employers value real-world experience alongside advanced credentials.
Not sure which direction is right for you? This is exactly the kind of conversation VCS advisors are here for.
Career Exploration Tools
Not sure where to begin? You’re not alone. Career exploration is a process, and these tools can help you connect your interests, strengths, and military experience to meaningful career possibilities.
Proximo AI
Upload your résumé or LinkedIn profile and get AI-powered career insights in minutes. Proximo helps you understand who you are and where you fit — mapping your experience to career possibilities you may not have considered.
Explore ProximoO*NET Online
The U.S. Department of Labor’s occupational database. Search by skills, interests, or career field to explore hundreds of civilian occupations — including salary ranges, required skills, and growth outlook.
Explore O*NETOccupational Outlook Handbook
Published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Detailed profiles of hundreds of occupations — what they do, work environment, education required, pay, and job outlook.
Explore OOHMy Next Move for Veterans
Enter your military occupation code (MOC) and find civilian careers that match your military training and experience. Built specifically for transitioning service members.
Explore My Next MoveStill unsure? Book an appointment with VCS — career exploration is one of the most common and most valuable conversations we have.
Skill Up
Military-connected students at SU have access to free professional certification programs that can accelerate your career readiness before graduation. These programs are free, self-paced, and designed to complement your academic work.
OVMA Cisco Networking Academy
33 free courses in cybersecurity, networking, programming, AI, and business — available exclusively to SU’s military-connected students through OVMA. Register via Handshake — search ‘FREE Cisco Training’ under Events.
Register on HandshakeOnward to Opportunity (O2O)
Career training and 30+ industry certifications including IT, Project Management, HR, Six Sigma, Programming, and Cloud Services. Free for eligible veterans and transitioning service members.
Learn MoreMicrosoft Software and Systems Academy (MSSA)
Free training in Cybersecurity Operations, Cloud Application Development, or Server and Cloud Administration — leading to Microsoft certifications and direct hiring opportunities at Microsoft and 1,000+ partners.
Learn MoreSalesforce Military
Free online Salesforce training, free certification exams, and automatic job interviews with 500+ hiring partners. Open to veterans and military spouses.
Learn MoreMaking Breaks Count
When the semester ends, the recruiting cycle doesn’t. Winter and summer breaks are some of the most underutilized career development opportunities available to students — and the most successful candidates use them intentionally.
Winter Break
- Reach out for informational interviews — schedules are lighter and people are more available
- Update your résumé and LinkedIn profile before spring recruiting opens
- Complete one certification module through the Cisco Academy, O2O, MSSA, or Salesforce Military
- Research employers you want to target in the spring — follow them on Handshake and LinkedIn
- Connect with SU alumni through OVMA Connect — winter is a good time to start conversations
Summer Break
- Complete an internship — apply for the OVMA Undergraduate Internship Award to fund it
- Attend professional development programs like O2O, MSSA, or Salesforce Military
- Pursue certifications through the Cisco Networking Academy — 33 free courses available
- Build your network through informational interviews, LinkedIn outreach, and OVMA Connect
- Prepare your résumé, cover letter, and Handshake profile for fall recruiting
SVA National Conference (NATCON)
The Student Veterans of America National Conference (NATCON) is the largest annual gathering of student veterans in the country — thousands of military-connected students, professional development sessions, employer access, and peer connection all in one place.
Why VCS Recommends It
- Direct access to employers and organizations actively recruiting student veterans
- Leadership development and career workshops built specifically for the military-connected community
- Connect with student veterans from universities across the country
- Build your professional network beyond SU — relationships made at NATCON last beyond graduation
- Past SU attendees consistently report it as one of the most impactful experiences of their time at Syracuse
Attending from SU OVMA has historically supported student veterans attending NATCON through the Veteran Legacy Fund, reducing or eliminating out-of-pocket costs for eligible students. Speak with VCS to learn about current funding availability.