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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.

Notable Veteran Alumni: Jack Milton

April 2, 2015

Jack Milton 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.

Jack Milton was born in Bloomington, Illinois in 1928. His father worked for Caterpillar as a salesman and regional manager, so he lived in multiple cities throughout his childhood. Once Milton reached high school, his father left the company to become a partner in International Harvester, an agricultural and construction equipment dealer, which grounded the family in Central and Eastern New York.

After high school, Milton attended Syracuse University for a bachelor’s degree in business administration. On his first day, he experienced true love at first sight as he met his future wife, Laura Hanhausen. He accredits his success in school to his wife and father, who kept him focused on his studies and not just staying at the harvester dealership.

Milton graduated from Syracuse University in 1951 and joined the Army. His security clearance took some time, however, due to his family’s excessive relocation. Once his clearance went through, the Army utilized Milton’s prior knowledge of heavy machinery and assigned him to the procurement department, based out of Washington D.C., where he focused on acquiring goods in support of the Korean War.

Once Milton completed his military service, he joined the Perkins-Milton Caterpillar Dealership, where his father was a part owner before passing away at the early age of 51. Milton’s family later sold their share of the dealership and he pursued an opportunity to have a stake in his own CAT Dealership, Jordan Milton Machinery, with his stake partner Bill Jordan. With the state highway project fueling early growth, their company quickly gained a foothold with monthly rentals. In addition, Milton’s management philosophy earned his both employees’ respect and admiration and his customers’ satisfaction. His approach was one of empowerment as would “clearly communicate his vision, give employees the freedom and tools to make decisions and their job, and then stay out of the way.”

Under Milton’s leadership, his business experienced incredible growth and expansion. In 1982, he purchased the Maine Caterpillar Dealership, and later merged with the Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Eastern New York Caterpillar territories in 1991. The company was renamed Milton CAT in 2004 with the procurement of the upstate New York Dealership, Syracuse Supply Company. By this time, Milton CAT stretched across the northeast, spanning from logging camps in Maine to underground salt mines and solid waste landfills in NY. Milton CAT also contributes to powering the region’s hospitals, backing up data centers, propelling workboats, and powering school buses and highway trucks. Today, Milton’s company covers six states, 15 locations, and is one of the top performing dealerships worldwide.

Jack Milton is a shining example of focusing hard on the small to grow big. Milton’s principles proved that if your vision in life does not have to be grandiose, but should be resolute, uncluttered, straightforward, and connected to what matters most. Milton CAT’s success was due to Milton’s ability to analyze, improve, and appreciate the impact his company has had on the economy and life within the region.

Though Jack Milton recently passed away in early 2015, his life accomplishments were vast and included wartime military service, 65 years of marriage, 55 years of success with Milton CAT, and significant philanthropic contributions to Syracuse University. Made possible through a generous gift to the Life Sciences Complex on the University’s Main Campus, The Milton Atrium is an outward representation of his legacy and the appreciation that he and his wife Laura had for the opportunity of higher education. The atrium is a public space that allows others to “learn, teach, and discover” as Jack Milton’s life has so clearly demonstrated.

Jack Milton is an alumnus of Syracuse University and a veteran of the U.S. military. You should know his story.

Secretary Carter’s Unwavering View – “It’s the People who Matter”

March 31, 2015

Written by Meghavaty Suresh

In a political environment where there are different forces to contend with and hard decisions to make, the 25^th Secretary of Defense of the United States, the Honorable Ashton B. Carter, gave clarity on his goals for the most important stakeholders during a talk at Syracuse University – the people.

On his first domestic trip since taking office, Secretary Carter visited Syracuse University and the Institute for Veterans and Military Families where he gave voice to his belief that it is not just technology that makes the United States Military the finest fighting force in the world but the people who make up the military forces and shoulder immense responsibilities far greater than age and experience. They carry the burden of astonishing levels of responsibility and make great sacrifices. Secretary Carter acknowledged that when it comes to serving them, it needs to be understood that transition is for the entire duration of service. The obligation to the military and veteran community and the country as a whole is to ensure the best possible choices are placed before them. He pointed out that people want to think about the future and they want choices. There will always be conflict and solutions to solve conflict, however public service has to be given importance.

Some immediate measures that are being rolled out include an improved transition program where the Department of Defense works with different levels of government and the private sector with strong emphasis on research. Earlier this month the U.S. Department of Defense, the IVMF at Syracuse University, and the Schultz Family Foundation (SFF) announced ‘Onward to Opportunity’, a program at the national level that will deliver tailored, industry-specific training and certifications to service members and spouses on U.S. military bases prior to transition. It equips members of the military with skill sets to immediately qualify them to work for leading U.S. companies, creating a more seamless transition from military careers to civilian employment.

Secretary Carter also emphasized the importance of the next generation and the task the DoD has when it comes to reaching out, recruiting, and connecting with changing expectations. He called out to everyone to think big and broadly. It is a wider circle today and it is important that everyone belongs to something that is bigger than themselves. For their part the DoD will ensure that generations to come will have a place to grow and develop. He also praised the work Syracuse University and the IVMF have been doing, stating that it is not replicated anywhere else in the country and needs to be. The legacy of service and history that Syracuse University has with respect to serving the members of the military and veterans is remarkable and the level of competence and sophistication is exemplary. Its thoughtful, intellectual work to understand opportunities to better institutions that will make a difference and Secretary Carter is standing tall behind the people of the country.

Colonel Erik K. Rundquist Endorses the Master of Social Science Program

March 31, 2015

Written by Colonel Erik K. Rundquist

As a proud alumnus of the Syracuse University Maxwell School’s Master of Social Science (MSSc) program, I had the pleasure of studying under a faculty that was highly engaged, diverse in thought, and extremely responsive to my needs. While these are characteristics that exemplify most academic programs, I am no ordinary student. Syracuse University professors have stayed joined at my hip while on combat deployments throughout the world. I was deployed several times to the Balkans and Iraq as a squadron commander (leading 300 people) and to Afghanistan as a Group Commander (leading 2,500 people). In all environments, I had extremely narrow windows of opportunity where I could access my computer, engage with a Syracuse instructor or staff member, and then proceed with my paper-writing and research. In fact, Professor Stephen Webb and Ms. Lydia Wasylenko were literally helping me conduct academic research as my base in Afghanistan was getting rocketed by insurgents! The responsiveness and flexibility of the staff is absolutely second to none.

The Maxwell School has both personally and professionally prepared me to operate in extremely high levels of government service. For instance, I was on the Secretary of Defense staff as a senior military antiterrorism officer where I regularly engaged with the Department of State, ambassador staffs, Congressional liaisons, and senior officers. In addition, I was selected as a National Defense Fellow to Boston University where I researched and published articles on the Russian military, plus I was recently published a chapter in a book centered on defending airfields in a counterinsurgency environment. In all cases, I directly attribute the positive academic feedback I received from Professors Deborah Pellow and David Bennett on how to structure arguments, conduct effective research, and present information at the postgraduate level to my success.

Finally, when one examines Maxwell’s MSSc program – it truly attracts members of the Departments of Defense, State, Justice, and Homeland Security, not to mention a wide array of international students, non-governmental employees, educators, and businessmen. These were my colleagues and fellow students and we all shared a bond of being fully engaged in socially vital areas, while learning together through Maxwell’s program. I am absolutely convinced this program has been critical to my personal success, and the dedication and example set by both Syracuse University and its instructors have instilled a desire for me to teach after my active military service has come to an end. I am proud to be associated with this important academic program!

The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Government, the Department of Defense, or the Department of the Air Force.

Colonel Erik K. Rundquist is Chief of Security Forces, Headquarters, Air Combat Command. In this position, he is responsible for security, law enforcement, antiterrorism, force protection and integrated defense across the Major Command. Colonel Rundquist was born at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri and received a regular commission upon graduation from the United States Air Force Academy in May 1991. He has served in various duty positions to include group commander, squadron commander, MAJCOM division chief, joint staff officer, operations officer, and ground combat instructor. He has deployed on several contingencies to include supporting the United Nations Protection Force in the Balkans, Operations ALLIED FORCE and SHINING HOPE in Albania and Kosovo, DETERMINED RESPONSE (USS Cole) in Yemen, ENDURING FREEDOM in Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan, and IRAQI FREEDOM where he conducted an operational combat jump into Bashur, Iraq with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. He commanded security forces at Tallil, Iraq, was the J7 for the Combined Joint Special Operations Air Component Command at Balad, Iraq, and commanded the 455th Expeditionary Mission Support Group and Joint Task Force 1/455 at Bagram and Parwan Province, Afghanistan.

April 17-18: Moral Injury in the Lives of Military Veterans

March 31, 2015

On April 17-18, 2015, the Moral Injury Project of Hendricks Chapel will hold a two-day conference entitled “What Did You Fight For, What did you Bring Home: Moral Injury in the Lives of Military Veterans” in 500 Hall of Languages (more about the conference).

This two-day conference will bring local, regional, and national scholars, clinical practitioners, writers, and artists to address the psychological, spiritual, and artistic dimensions of Moral Injury among veterans. Moral Injury is the damage done to one’s conscience or moral compass when one perpetrates, witnesses, or fails to prevent acts that transgress one’s own moral and ethical values/codes of conduct/understanding.

In addition to specific panels, the conference will include an art exhibit by veterans at 914 Works Gallery on 914 E. Genesee Street and a literary reading by members of the Syracuse Veterans’ Writing Group as well as other guest writers.

The conference schedule can be found at: http://moralinjuryproject.syr.edu/april-conference/conference-schedule/

Panel topics and speaker biographies can be found at: http://moralinjuryproject.syr.edu/april-conference/conference-panelists/

Press and queries about the conference should be directed to: anmiller@syr.edu

To register for the conference use this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1qHEhUdBD0N0Vx1Wa2IJRdHIz8X1hnO6S6DIA5-Uhs2s/viewform?c=0&w=1

Download Moral Injury Conference Flyer

Social Work and Veterans: Responding to a Critical Need for Care

March 30, 2015

Written by Ryan Rabac

In recent years the Department of Veterans Affairs has seen dramatic growth in the need for social workers to care for returning veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Complex issues like traumatic brain injuries, physical disabilities, and Post-Traumatic Stress make for meaningful careers for social workers specializing in care for veterans.

The Bachelor of Science in Social Work and the Master of Social Work program at the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics train students to respond to medical crises, substance abuse, domestic violence, homelessness, and many other areas of the human experience that trouble our nation’s veterans. The school’s proximity to a VA Medical Center consistently top-five in patient satisfaction and to Fort Drum, Northern New York’s largest employer, make it easy for the Falk College to integrate its program with veteran and military care.

The Syracuse VA Medical Center employs 70 social workers and many of them are Syracuse University alumni. This connecting between the campus and the VA allows for several internship placements every year for those interested in serving those who have served.

Military families face challenges as well when loved ones are away on deployments, or when they return home and must readjust to civilian life. The field of social work allows for the provision of care for a multitude of the physical and behavioral struggles of human life.

Veterans are not just found at the VA. A social work education that has a component of understanding the military experience is likely to help a social worker prepare for many career paths.

The Bachelor of Science program combines social work studies with liberal arts and social, behavioral, and natural sciences. The Master of Social Work program is two-years and 60 credits, but students who hold a Bachelors degree in Social Work can enroll in an accelerated curriculum. There is also a three-year combined program to earn both a Master of Social Work and Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy. Learn more about admissions at the Falk College here.

Veterans looking to continue their education should consider all of the undergraduate and graduate programs offered by a school committed for over 70 years to serve those who have served. To learn more about what makes Syracuse University is the best college for veterans, visit www.veterans.syracuse.edu.

Ryan Rabac is an Executive Assistant at the Syracuse University Office of Veterans and Military Affairs currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration degree at the Maxwell School. He holds a B.S. in Political Science and Social Science (May 2014) from Florida State University.

A Day in the Life of a Student Veteran: Entrepreneurship at Whitman

March 30, 2015

Written by Meghavaty Suresh

Meet Lee Buttolph.

Lee is currently a grad student pursuing a Master’s in Entrepreneurship at the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University. He served in the Marine Corps and spent many months out of the country in Iraq. When he returned home he decided to step into his family business, ultimately becoming an entrepreneur when he bought the firm from his father. In 2014, Lee decided it was the right time to sell the business. He made up his mind to come back to school and explore the unexplored.

If you’ve ever wondered how a day in the life of a student veteran goes by, here is an inside look:

6:00 am – Lee says he tries to look at his time at grad school like he is working a normal job. He comes into school early, between six and seven in the morning, and starts getting his work done. He compares it to when people head into their office early to get a head start when all is quiet around the office. If there is any reading or any assignments to be completed, that is his time to tackle it without the usual buzz around school. In a couple of hours the place will burst into a flurry of student activity and it is rush hour from then on.

8:00 am – The first of Lee’s classes starts at 8 sharp. From then until 2 there is a constant drone of feet on the various floors of school of students running from one class to another and Lee is one of them. He usually has about four classes that go on for about an hour and a half each. A typical class at the management school is comprised of interactive discussions, real life case studies and examples, and a lot of student feedback. Lee says his class in particular is a tight-knit one and they often sit down and talk about different topics. Everyone learns from each other and according to Lee all of his classmates have great ideas and unique perspectives.

2:00 pm – After morning classes are done, Lee gets a breather from about 2 to 6:30. Even though it is technically free time, he uses it to meet with his different project groups, work on assignments and occasionally meet with professors. Somewhere in between he tries to sneak in some dinner.

6:30 pm – Lee’s three-hour-long class starts now. Lee says that the dynamic in his class is great. Being a student veteran and a little older than the average age in class, the learning is different on many levels. While a lot of the students are learning concepts for the first time, Lee pretty much knows the basics since he has served in the military and run a business. Now he says he gets more time to think about the foundation of concepts and dive into the details of what is being presented in class which is eye-opening on many levels.

The end of the day brings with it a sense of achievement that is unique to graduate school. It is a lot of learning and thinking, but also the exchange of experiences and the application of concepts to real world scenarios.

Lee is a student veteran at the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University pursuing a Master’s in Entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship at the Whitman School of Management is highly ranked nationally. The Master of Science in Entrepreneurship (MSE) degree prepares students to become leaders of one of 2.4 million veteran-owned businesses employing 5.8 million people, with four focus areas: Social, Corporate, Family Business, and New Ventures. The deadline for applying to the program is April 19. | Download informational handout

Veterans looking to continue their education should consider Syracuse University’s graduate management degrees designed with veterans in mind as well as all of the undergraduate and graduate programs offered by a school committed for over 70 years to serve those who have served.

April 2nd: Student Veterans Networking Lunch

March 30, 2015

This Thursday, April 2nd from 11-3pm at the Sheraton, executives from some of the top companies in the world are coming to Syracuse to sit and talk with student veterans about employment, internships and what the experience is like working at these great companies:

Ernst & Young

IBM

Macy’s

JP Morgan

Google

Advocates Incorporated

Aetna

CH Robinson

Syracuse University – DPS

First Data Corp

National Grid

Peace Corps

State Farm

Larry Iwanski, Executive Director of Ernst & Young Advisory Services and United States Army Veteran, will be the keynote speaker. He has much to say on transitioning for veterans into the private sector and ways to ensure success.

Please RSVP for the event as soon as possible. This can be done at the following link: http://ow.ly/KKx71. Attendees will be eligible to win a $10 gift card to Starbucks, $50 gift card to Amazon or a brand new iPad! Free lunch will be provided by Sheraton Catering during the event.

Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter to Visit Campus March 31

March 27, 2015

U.S. DOD Secretary to speak with students and visit the IVMF on first domestic trip since taking office

On his first domestic trip since taking office, Secretary of the United States Department of Defense Ashton B. Carter will visit Syracuse University to discuss with students and invited guests the “Future of the Force” and how the Department of Defense (DOD) recruits, retains, and transitions our next generation of service members.

Secretary Carter’s remarks will commence at 10:40 a.m., on Tuesday, March 31, in the Melanie Gray Ceremonial Courtroom in Dineen Hall. A brief question and answer session will follow.

Tickets are required and can be obtained from the Schine Box Office beginning Monday, March 30, at 9 a.m., and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. A valid SU or SUNY-ESF I.D. is required. Doors will open on March 31 at 9:10 a.m. for security screening and guests should plan to arrive early and be seated by 10:10 a.m. No admittance will be allowed after 10:10 a.m. Backpacks and other large bags are not permitted.

Secretary Carter’s address will follow a closed-door round table discussion with the ‎Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF). The roundtable – to include Chancellor Kent Syverud; Vice Chancellor for Veterans and Military Affairs and Executive Director of the IVMF J. Michael Haynie; members of the IVMF leadership team; and invited guests – will provide an opportunity to brief Secretary Carter on the IVMF, its programs, research, community engagement and collaborations enacted in service to America’s veterans and military families. The roundtable will also include a discussion on transitioning our force back into society and how the IVMF is leading this charge.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Defense, the IVMF at Syracuse University, and the Schultz Family Foundation (SFF), announced the launching of Onward to Opportunity, a groundbreaking new national program that will deliver tailored, industry-specific training and certifications to service members and spouses on U.S. military bases prior to transition. This program will provide participants with skill sets to immediately qualify them to work for leading U.S. companies, resulting in a seamless transition from military careers to civilian employment.

“The purpose of the Secretary’s visit to Syracuse University is twofold,” states Haynie. “Secretary Carter is keenly interested in learning more about Syracuse University’s historic commitment to veterans and IVMF’s mission to fully leverage the intellectual, human and social capital of higher education, in service to America’s veterans and their families.”

Secretary Carter is also looking forward to having an open discussion with the students at Syracuse University, primarily those enrolled in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, and the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, due in large part to their national rankings and reputation as the premiere institutions in their respective disciplines.

Press Contacts:

Erin Martin Kane | 315.443.9186 | emkane@syr.edu | news.syr.edu

Wayne Westervelt | Institute for Veterans and Military Families | 315.443.5690 or 315.558.9483 wwesterv@syr.edu

My Master of Social Science Experience

March 25, 2015

Written by Mike Ross

I was traveling extensively for work when I started looking for a Master’s program that would fit into my busy schedule. While an online program would have been the most convenient, I did not want to sacrifice the personal interaction that takes place within the classroom. The Master of Social Science (M.S.Sc.) was able to provide the best of both worlds by offering short-term, on-campus residencies with the convenience of turning in written assignments from home, or in my case from the road, during the rest of the year.

The residency kicks off with a seemingly daunting first paper due at the end of the two-week residency, however it takes place during the summer when the Syracuse University campus is relatively quiet and allows the students and professors to quickly bond in the classrooms, dorms, and over lunch and dinner. It was a great feeling leaving after two weeks with the first grade under my belt! The professors are very accessible and the residency allows for great collaboration on assignments for the coming year.

While there are parameters for papers, students are encouraged to pursue their own topics, which gives us the ability to customize the program to our careers or continuing education plans. I generally stuck with the assignments, but was able to easily research aspects of the topics that most interested me.

One of the hidden gems of the program is the weekend spent at the Minnowbrook Lodge in the Adirondacks during the residency. It is the perfect way to enjoy a little more of New York, unwind from an intensive week, and gear up for the final week of the residency. The professors present ideas about the theme of the residency and are available to help students work through their residency papers. All of this happens while waking up to the sounds of loons calling over the lake, enjoying great food, and maybe taking a dip or kayak trip in the lake.

Mike Ross is a native of West Virginia and has been married for 17 years with four wonderful kids. He worked for his undergraduate alma mater in West Virginia for over a decade recruiting students domestically and internationally. Last year, he accepted a position with the Rescue Mission Alliance of Syracuse as the program manager of their Binghamton New York facility. On a personal note Mike enjoys cycling, backpacking, and kayaking as well as homebrewing and binge-watching TV series on Netflix.