News

Whitman School of Management Receives Federal Funding to Expand Entrepreneurship Outreach through a Veterans Business Outreach Center

April 23, 2015

Maria Contreras-Sweet, the 24th administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Announced Funding at Syracuse University on Apr. 21

By: Kerri Howell

The Falcone Center for Entrepreneurship at Syracuse University’s Martin J. Whitman School of Management has received funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to support the expansion of services for veterans through its newly established Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC). The funding, which is approximately $330,000 for the first year, will enable Whitman’s VBOC to provide counseling, training, assistance, comprehensive business assessment and mentoring to veteran and service-disabled veteran entrepreneurs. It also will help Reserve Component, National Guard and transitioning service members who are interested in starting or expanding a small business.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to expand Syracuse University’s service to our veterans who have sacrificed so much for us,” said Terry Brown, executive director of Whitman’s Falcone Center for Entrepreneurship. “A key responsibility of Whitman’s VBOC is to support transitioning service members as they embark on post military service careers that often include small business ownership and other forms of self-employment. We’re proud to be able to offer the valuable support our veterans need to be successful.”

A portion of the funding will be used to cover costs associated with coordinating, delivering and conducting outreach to increase participation in the entrepreneurship track of the Department of Defense’s (DOD’s) Transition Assistance Program (TAP), known as Boots to Business, on military installations in the continental United States and its territories. VBOCs are directed by the Small Business Act to participate in the DOD’s Transition Assistance Program.

Initiated as a pilot in 2012 and expanded nationally in 2013, Boots to Business leverages SBA resource partners including VBOCs, Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), Women’s Business Centers (WBC), SCORE and the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University to deliver entrepreneurship education and training to transitioning service members, Reservists and National Guard members as well as their spouses or caregivers who are exploring or pursuing small business ownership.

“In 2014, Boots to Business and Boots to Business: Reboot were delivered to more than 18,000 veterans and family members by SBA resource partners, including VBOCs, SBDCs, Women Business Outreach Centers, SCORE, and others, as well as IVMF instructors,” said James Schmeling, IVMF managing director for programming. “The Whitman School has provided instructors from its world-class entrepreneurship faculty, both in the two-day courses, and the eight-week online courses, and we’re thrilled to extend our work with Whitman to include the new VBOC.

“We were able to deliver the SBA program for TAP in 175 locations in the continental U.S. with our partners at 431 trainings, and overseas at 65 trainings in eight countries. Our Whitman colleagues were instrumental in reaching this number of people and locations, and designing the curricula delivered worldwide.”

“VBOCs play a significant role in the veteran community,” said Barbara Carson, acting associate administrator, SBA’s Office of Veteran Business Development (OVBD). “We look forward to working closely with these centers to provide resources to enhance entrepreneurship opportunities for veterans as they continue to serve our country by contributing to the local economy and creating jobs in their communities.

“The brave men and women who served our country deserve access to every available resource when they return home,” said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. “I fought to get the Veterans Business Outreach Center this federal funding so that Central New York veteran entrepreneurs can get the assistance and guidance they need to start successful businesses, create new jobs and grow our economy.”

The nationwide VBOC competition was open to all eligible institutions of higher learning, private organizations or businesses, veterans’ nonprofit community-based organizations, state, local or tribal governmental agencies and nonprofit organizations. Each award is made for a base project period of 12 months, with up to two renewal option periods of 12 months each.

“I’m proud to support funding to help Syracuse University remain a critical leader in veterans’ higher education and post-service outreach,” said Rep. John Katko (NY-24). “We owe it to our veterans to provide quality education opportunities – and with our rich history of service to veterans and burgeoning entrepreneurial culture, Central New York is the ideal location for this program. The Veterans Business Outreach Center will deliver small business mentorship and entrepreneurship training for our veterans while boosting our regional economic development.”

About the Whitman School’s Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises Program

The Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises (EEE) program is a flagship program at the Whitman School at Syracuse University. Consistently ranked as one of the top programs in the nation, Whitman’s entrepreneurship program helps undergraduate, masters and Ph.D. students discover their innate entrepreneurial potential, giving them a set of tools and perspective to capitalize on that potential and help launch their careers.

The Whitman School heavily emphasizes experiential learning, and the entrepreneurship department is committed to providing a myriad of opportunities for students to gain and apply real-world perspective and skills. The Falcone Center of Entrepreneurship at Whitman makes connections with the community and supports the entrepreneurship program’s outreach efforts. Through outreach programs at Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (WISE) Symposium, WISE Women’s Business Center and South Side Innovation Center, Whitman’s Falcone Center serves more than 2,000 clients annually who have grossed over $10 million in revenue.

The EEE program is also the originator of the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV), which is now offered at seven other institutions around the United States. The EBV program, and its partner programs, provides the skills, resources and infrastructure for entrepreneurship and small business management for service-connected disabilities and military family members who serve in a caregiver role to a veteran with a service-connected disability. More than 700 veterans have graduated from EBV universities since 2007.

The Martin J. Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University was established as the College of Business Administration in 1919. In 1920, it was only the 16th collegiate business school in the nation to be accredited by the AACSB. Today, the Whitman School of Management includes programs in accounting, entrepreneurship, finance, management, marketing, real estate, retail management and supply chain management. In any given year, the Whitman School is home to nearly 2,000 doctoral, graduate and undergraduate students.

About the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF)

The IVMF is the first interdisciplinary national institute in higher education focused on the social, economic, education and policy issues impacting veterans and their families post-service. Through our focus on veteran-facing programming, research and policy, employment and employer support, and community engagement, the institute provides in-depth analysis of the challenges facing the veteran community, captures best practices and serves as a forum to facilitate new partnerships and strong relationships between the individuals and organizations committed to making a difference for veterans and military families.

About Syracuse University’s Office of Veteran and Military Affairs

The Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA) serves as Syracuse University’s single point of entry for all veteran and military related programs and initiatives. It collaborates and coordinates with all stakeholders to best serve veterans, military connected students, and military family members who are students or employees at Syracuse University.

Kerri Howell is the director of communications and media relations at the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University.

SBA Administrator Visits Syracuse University

April 22, 2015

Maria Contreras-Sweet speaks at Whitman School’s WISE Conference and visits IVMF

Maria Contreras-Sweet, the 24th Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and a member of President Obama’s Cabinet, traveled to Syracuse University yesterday to serve as the keynote speaker for the Whitman School’s annual WISE Conference.

During her visit, Contreras-Sweet made a stop at the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University (IVMF), where she held a press conference to announce that the SBA’s Boots to Business program has now trained 25,000 transitioning service members. For two years, Boots to Business—the entrepreneurship track of the Department of Defense’s Transition Assistance Program (TAP)—has provided entrepreneurship and business planning training to members of America’s armed forces who are transitioning to civilian life, giving them the tools to start their own successful companies. The IVMF at Syracuse University operates portions of the Boots to Business program and employs three full-time staff to support the various operations of the program, nationally and internationally.

During her press conference, Contreras-Sweet praised Syracuse University and the IVMF for its commitment to providing veterans and their families with small business training and education through the numerous entrepreneurial programs offered in tandem with the SBA. She also referred to the SBA’s recent federal funding award to the Whitman School of Management to expand entrepreneurship outreach through a newly established Veterans Business Outreach Center at Syracuse University. “Our veterans deserve every chance at success, and our economic future requires that we help them acquire the skills necessary to start the next generation of great American businesses.”

“The U.S. Small Business Administration is a valued and trusted federal partner,” said Dr. Mike Haynie, vice chancellor for veteran and military affairs at Syracuse University as well as executive director of the IVMF. “We have realized considerable impact, scale and scope of our programs over the last five years with SBA’s support.”

Following the Administrator’s announcement, Contreras-Sweet convened a roundtable discussion with IVMF program managers, instructors and graduates to discuss their experiences and to ask how the SBA can improve the programs it offers to veterans. Program graduates who attended included Chris Dambach, a 2013 Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV) grad; Kimberly Bischoff, a 2014 EBV grad; and Tricia Hax, a 2015 EBV graduate. Boots to Business program instructors John Torrens and Alexandra Kostakis, who are entrepreneurship professors at the Whitman School of Management, were also present at the roundtable.

Initiated as a pilot in 2012 and expanded nationally in 2013, Boots to Business utilizes SBA resource partners including the Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC) Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), Women’s Business Centers (WBC), SCORE, and the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University (IVMF) to deliver entrepreneurship education and training to transitioning service members and their dependents who are exploring or pursuing small business ownership and self-employment.

To learn more about Boots to Business, visit http://boots2business.org or www.sba.gov/bootstobusiness.

Jennifer Renée Pluta Appointed Career Services’ Assistant Director for Veteran and Military Family Members

April 16, 2015

Newly created post focuses on career development and employment needs of the veteran and military family community at Syracuse University

Syracuse University’s Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA), in collaboration with Career Services, and the Division of Student Affairs, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jennifer Renée Pluta as the assistant director for veteran and military family members. This Career Services position was created to address the growing career development and employment needs of the veteran and military family community at Syracuse University.

Pluta previously served as the assistant director of internship services at Career Services. In this role, Pluta was an advocate for the internship experience, working closely with students, faculty, staff, and employers in the internship process. Her areas of focus included the credit registration process, legalities of internships, internship-related events/services, and internship development.

“With Jennifer’s diverse background in career services and her experience in the military, she will bring great skills and a special perspective to this position,” says Mike Cahill, director of Career Services. “We look forward to enhancing our career development opportunities for veterans and military dependents, and feel Jennifer’s appointment will help us take these services to the next level.”

“Jen Pluta is the ideal selection for this position,” adds Ron Novack,executive director of the university’s Veteran and Military Affairs office. “She thoroughly understands veterans and military families from end to end.”

Pluta is also a Master Sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserve, serving as a Quality Assurance Manager for the 1st Battalion, Army Reserve Careers Division, and is a veteran having served in Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom. She possesses a thorough understanding of the unique needs of veterans specifically in career transition, and the ability to work collaboratively across the University, as well as leverage existing services to achieve end goals.

“Jennifer has a tremendous reputation across campus and within the military community,” shares Dr. Mike Haynie, vice chancellor for veteran and military affairs. “We are glad to have her on the team.”

Pluta assumes her new role on Thursday, April 16.

The Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA) at Syracuse University

Syracuse University Career Services
Syracuse University Career Services is an all-university office serving undergraduate, graduate, and PhD students, as well as alumni. It offers a wide range of services from career counseling, job/internship search support, connections with employers, alumni mentoring opportunities, and much more. For more information on Syracuse University Career Services, visit http://careerservices.syr.edu.

Notable Veteran Alumni: Dr. Franklin Story Musgrave

April 15, 2015

Franklin Story Musgrave is an alumnus of Syracuse, and also a military veteran. You should know his story, because it’s a Syracuse University Story—one that speaks to our past, our present, and our future.

Born in Boston in 1935, Musgrave boasts an impressive record of scholastic achievement. His secondary education at Dexter School in Brookline, Massachusetts provided him a solid educational foundation. He later attended Syracuse University and earned a bachelor of science in math and statistics in 1958. Still, his insatiable thirst for knowledge led him to complete an impressive five additional degrees throughout his career including an M.B.A. from UCLA (1959), B.A. in chemistry from Marietta College (1960), M.D. from Columbia University (1964), M.S. in physiology and biophysics from the University of Kentucky (1966), and an M.A. in literature from the University of Houston-Clear Lake (1987).

Before entering college, however, Dr. Musgrave enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1953. During his enlistment, he served as an aviation electrician and instrument technician before receiving promotion to aircraft crew chief. In this time, he travelled to Korea, Japan, and Hawaii, and he explored East Asia aboard the USS Wasp. In addition to his travels, Musgrave was an accomplished pilot who flew more than 17,700 hours in 160 different aircrafts and participated in more than 800 free-falls as a daring parachutist.

Among his numerous accomplishments and achievements, Musgrave was selected to work for NASA as a scientist-astronaut in 1967. He was instrumental in designing and developing the Skylab Program and all of the Space Shuttle extravehicular activity equipment. In his roles as a spacecraft communicator, mission specialist, and payload commander, he spent 53 days, 9 hours, and 55 minutes in space during his time with NASA. He became the second astronaut to take six spaceflights after his completion of the STS-80 mission in 1996, and the only astronaut to fly missions on all five of the Space Shuttles before retiring in 1997.

As he clearly demonstrated throughout his remarkable career, Dr. Musgrave firmly believes that the key to exploration is “getting out of the comfortable path.” Today, Dr. Musgrave enjoys his well-earned retirement by consulting with Disney’s Imagineering and Applied Minds in California. Musgrave is also a 1995 inductee of the International Space Hall of Fame and a 1997 recipient of Syracuse University’s highest alumni honor, the George Arents Award.

Dr. Franklin Story Musgrave is an alumnus of Syracuse University and a veteran of the U.S. military. You should know his story.

Student Veteran 1 of 6 Maxwell Students Chosen as 2015 Presidential Management Fellows

April 9, 2015

Jesse Campion ’15 MPA/JD has been selected as a Presidential Management Fellow. The PMF is the nation’s elite two-year federal management training program.

“Being selected as a PMF finalist is an incredible honor for me,” says Campion, an Army veteran. “The selection tells me that my government recognizes and affirms my continuous commitment to public service. Now as a PMF Fellow, I am excited to once again pursue an exciting career in public service, develop as a leader within the federal government and uphold that commitment for the benefit of my country.” | Read more

Syracuse University is excited to have this many students selected for the 2015 PMF. The five other Maxwellians receiving the appointments are Maria Carlson ’15 MPA, Sean Comber ’15 MPA/IR, Anna Nicol ’15 MPA/IR, Stacy Lemery ’13 MAIR, and Neil Wakeman ’14 MPA.

The top-ranked Maxwell School offers the #1 MPA in the country as well as the Master of Social Science distance learning program, a great fit for active duty service members and veterans unable to relocate to continue their education. Read why Pilot Dave Gaulin calls it the most military friendly distance learning program.

Notable Veteran Alumni: Richard M. Jones

April 8, 2015

Richard M. Jones is an alumnus of Syracuse University, and also a military veteran. You should know his story, because it’s a Syracuse University story—one that speaks to our past, our present, and our future.

Influenced by the passion for service instilled in his family lineage, Jones enlisted in the United States Army after high school, in part as a promise to his ailing father to support the family. Jones had grown up in a military family and hoped to make the Army his career. He joined as an infantryman and achieved his ultimate goal of becoming an Airborne Ranger. Jones considers graduating from the U.S. Army’s Ranger School his high point, a testament to his perseverance and hard work since an injury near the end forced him to be recycled back to the beginning of the 61-day course. For four years, he served with both the 75^th Ranger Regiment and 10^th Mountain Division as a squad leader. Unfortunately, a parachute malfunction during an airborne assault training exercise drastically altered his career plans.

After taking an occupational test while convalescing from severe fractures to his legs and back, the potential of becoming an accountant renewed Jones’ sense of drive. With the mentorship of Professor Horace Landry, head of the accounting program and a WWII Navy veteran, Jones was accepted to Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management. He graduated in 1992 summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. But Ranger Jones wasn’t finished. He drove on, earning his law degree and master’s in accounting from Syracuse University in 1995 as well as a Master of Laws from Boston University. Jones was admitted to the Order of the Barristers, a U.S. National Honor Society through law school oral advocacy programs, for excelling in his academia, advocacy, and service to Syracuse.

By 2005, Jones had spent over 10 years as a certified public account and tax lawyer with Ernst & Young, working in its department of media and entertainment transaction advisory services. In addition, Jones served as a law clerk for the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, in the chambers of the Honorable Judge John P. Balio. 2005 was marked by several important positions for Jones served as vice president, senior tax counsel, and assistant treasurer for General Electric (NBC Universal), where his responsibilities included all domestic and international tax planning, structuring, mergers and acquisitions, and operations. As a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the NY Society of CPAs, Jones has served, and continues to, on the Corporate and Partnership Taxation Committees. He is a member of the American Bar Association, NY State Bar Association, and the American Association of Attorney-Certified Public Accountants. A frequent and noted lecturer, Jones has become a faculty member of the Practicing Law Institute.

Currently, Richard M. Jones serves as the Executive Vice President, general tax counsel, and chief veteran officer for CBS Corporation, responsible for oversight on global tax planning, strategy, operations, litigation and legislative matters—in addition to CBS’s veteran-related initiatives. Jones tries to ensure the sacrifices of veterans and their families are never left unnoticed and recognized by promoting wellbeing through these programs and benefits. Jones works closely with several veteran organizations and is a life member of both the American Legion and DAV (Disabled American Veterans). He also serves on the congressionally mandated federal Advisory Committee on Veterans’ Employment, Training, and Employer Outreach (ACVETEO) for the U.S. Department of Labor.

Jones’ devotion to our nation’s veterans is beyond reproach. He sits on boards for the Wounded Warrior Project, the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University, the Uniformed Services Justice and Advocacy Group, the Easter Seals Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Community Services, the Aaron Grider Foundation, the Warrior Family Foundation, and Honor Vet, among others. Jones is clearly an important voice and advocate of our transitioning veterans, as he said, “Each one of us has the power to make a huge difference. At the end of the day, it is the small cadre of committed veteran advocates who have, and always will, make the greatest impact in the lives of our transitioning service members and their families.”

Notably, Richard M. Jones was Syracuse University’s 2014 Arents Award recipient for his excellence in financial law and avocational pursuits in veterans affairs.

Richard M. Jones is an alumnus of Syracuse University and a veteran of the U.S. military. You should know his story.

Syracuse University Hosts 98th Chancellor’s Review of ROTC Programs

April 6, 2015

Chancellor Kent Syverud hosted the annual Chancellor’s Review & Awards Ceremony on Friday, April 3, 2015, at the Carrier Dome, to recognize the distinguished performance of cadets in the Army and Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training (ROTC) programs at Syracuse University.

Following the introduction and formation of troops and the Chancellor’s review of the troops, awards were presented to deserving ROTC cadets. There are numerous civilian and military organizations that sponsor awards for cadets who have distinguished themselves through superior performance in academics, ROTC, and extracurricular activities. The Cadet Corps also sponsors ROTC program awards to recognize performance of a superior nature. View program for complete award information.

In his remarks, Chancellor Syverud congratulated the cadets for their achievements, distinction and grace, as well as reminded them that they are forever linked to Syracuse University, which established its ROTC program in March 1919. “You’ve inspired us by your commitment to being a student and a cadet,” shared Chancellor Syverud, who assured the cadets that the university will be here for them when they return as veterans. “We are determined to be the best university for veterans and as the Secretary of Defense shared with us on his recent visit to campus, ‘no place does it better than Syracuse University.’”

About the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs:

The Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA) serves as Syracuse University’s single point of entry for all veteran and military related programs and initiatives. Committed to being the “Best Place for Veterans,” OVMA assists university stakeholders to support and empower veteran, military connected, and military family member students and employees who are veterans at Syracuse University.

About the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)

Army ROTC offers a commission as a second lieutenant in either the active Army or Reserve Forces in a variety of career fields including Combat Arms (Aviation, Armor, Artillery, Infantry, or Engineers), Combat Support, and Combat Service Support branches. There are two-, three-, and four-year scholarship programs available. Some cadets choose to join the National Guard or the Army Reserve while in Army ROTC, thus qualifying them for the Montgomery GI Bill benefits, in-state tuition (VANG) and other exciting benefits. Learn more …

About the Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)

Air Force ROTC is a program designed to train cadets to be commissioned officers in the United States Air Force. Here at SU, we pride ourselves on having a meticulously designed training environment which gives meaning to the Air Force’s core values, fosters good camaraderie among cadets, and produces only the finest Air Force officers. Learn more …

The Most Military Friendly Distance Learning Program: Pilot Dave Gaulin Reflects on the MSSc

April 6, 2015

Written by Dave Gaulin

I enrolled in the Master of Social Science program in 2004. As a young C-17 Globemaster III pilot, I was looking for a program that was challenging yet flexible. My schedule was extremely unpredictable—it was not uncommon for me to travel overseas for two-to-three weeks at a time with only a day’s notice. This did not lend itself to advanced degree programs that required scheduled online classes, hard deadlines, or frequent postings to online discussion groups—things that make up the core of many online and distance learning programs. Whether I was on the ground in Afghanistan, flying at 35,000 feet between Japan and Hawaii, or anywhere in between, I was able to learn and complete coursework.

This is not to say there is no interaction with the MSSc. The required residencies provide time to dive deep into issues and focus on learning alongside students from a variety of professions. As someone who spent a large amount of time flying in Iraq, Afghanistan, and several other places around the world, it was refreshing to spend two weeks with high school teachers, elected officials, journalists, bankers, and engineers. No matter what your career or profession is, those two weeks are a fantastic academic break.

The faculty are devoted to teaching and supporting students. Each professor has been with the program for several years; many are founding members of the MSSc and are now in their fourth decade with the program. They interact with students not only during the residency but throughout the year. Whether one has multiple graduate degrees or has not written a research paper in several decades, they can all expect to be critiqued, challenged, and made to be better writers and thinkers.

As an officer who spend the vast majority of their career rapidly moving around the world, I benefited from the global perspective that the MSSc provided. Profs Bennett and Webb’s War and Society courses and Prof Barkun’s International Law course both complimented and challenged my knowledge and experience. Prof Pellow’s Africa course and her insightful lectures were in my mind a few years ago when I found myself in the middle of Africa, working with Chadian and French troops. With the mentorship and guidance of Prof Bennett, I was able to explore the influence of political partisanship on civil-military relations, an issue as old as the republic yet continues to challenge our elected leadership, senior officers, and society as a whole.

The MSSc is the most military friendly distance learning, limited residency program I have ever known. It is designed with flexibility in mind and the understanding that coursework may need to take a back seat to real world issues now and then. Unlike some of my peers, I never had to worry about failing a course due to a missed deadline (which can happen with last minute deployments) and did not need to fight a bureaucracy of administrators, registrars, and bursars (especially when tuition assistance or VA payments were held up). I knew my professors and they knew me, they cared about my learning, and were genuinely concerned about my progression and success.

Dave Gaulin (A&S 2002, MSSc, 2007) served on active duty for 13 years, flying the C-17 Globemaster III. He is now a Major and pilot in the Air National Guard and works in the telecommunications industry. Follow him @davegaulin

Ret. Col. Steve Medeiros: My Master of Social Science Story

April 3, 2015

Written by Steve Medeiros

Anchored by program flexibility, intellectual exploration and academic excellence, the Master of Social Science Program (MSSc) has been instrumental in my development to think critically within established social science fields and current societal challenges. As an officer of the Marines for twenty-eight years (retiring as a Colonel), my degree has afforded me an opportunity to frame, analyze and solve problem sets outside of a non-traditional framework. This is especially poignant in regions where I have served, the Pacific Rim and Central and South America.

The program’s flexibility is especially relevant to service members where duty station assignments are both various (CONUS and OCONUS) and multi-durational. I hold the academic leadership of the Maxwell School in high regard as they are the best in their field and inspire rigorous intellectual exploration in their students to achieve academic excellence. To this day, thirteen years after graduation, I still find myself recalling their teaching and counsel.

Steve Medeiros is a 2002 Graduate of the MSSc Program and served 28 years in the United States Marine Corps, retiring as a Colonel in 2013. Steve served in a variety of operational and staff assignments and his final assignment was the Commander, Marine Depot Maintenance Command (Albany, GA/Barstow, CA). He is currently the Lead Logistics Engineer for Wyle Laboratories in Stafford, VA.

4 Pieces of Advice from Top Employers Every Student Veteran Should Hear

April 3, 2015

Written by Meghavaty Suresh

‘Transition’ is an important term for every veteran and military connected individual. Transition is also applicable when a veteran in school takes that next big step – civilian employment. During the career networking luncheon for student veterans sponsored by EY, Macy’s, IBM and GE held on campus at Syracuse University, executives from prestigious multi-national firms, many of whom veterans themselves, spoke to the military and veteran community here at Syracuse about the nuts and bolts of making that transition from education to employment.

Here are four pieces of advice that every student veteran looking at entering careers outside of military service should hear:

Know Your Value

“Veterans bring a distinct character and a set of experiences and credentials that they need to know that they bring because it’s a difficult transition from the military to civilian life. So, if they are able to say that here’s the characteristics, values, experiences, and leadership that I bring to the organization then there’s value no matter what.” – Larry Iwanski, Executive Director, EY.

EY has a dedicated careers resource page for military and veterans.

Don’t Undersell Yourself

“If you want to work for a financial firm, you don’t have to have majored in finance. What you have to do is know a little about the industry and do your research about the firm and what is happening in the market before your interview. Don’t undersell yourself. You don’t have to blend in, you want to stand out. Every company looks for the same things – are you curious, personable, and intellectual and are you ambitious?” – Derek Meitzer, Sales and Analytics, Bloomberg.

Bloomberg places emphasis on military and veteran hiring and it is an integral part of the Bloomberg culture. Here’s their dedicated military and veteran page.

Remember Your Unique Advantage

“The value veterans bring to a job in a non-military organization is based on skills and experiences that aren’t taught anywhere else. It’s absorbed during their time in the military. That should always be remembered.” – James Noonan, Program Manager, IBM.

IBM constantly partners with the military and has a wide number of opportunities within their global eco-system for veterans.

Leverage Your Relationships

“It’s about figuring out what your abilities are and aligning your skillsets to the job and career path that you’re looking to head in. Leverage your relationships when you’re trying to get your foot into the door. That’s always an advantage.” – Tricia Moody, Director Talent Acquisition, First Data.

First Data actively hires veterans and military connected individuals including military spouses and are looking to double their veteran recruiting efforts this year.

Meghavaty Suresh is a Graduate Assistant at IVMF currently pursuing a Master of Science in New Media Management from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. She holds a Master’s in Management and Bachelor’s in Commerce from Mumbai University.