Online learning doesn’t always offer opportunities for face-to-face interaction with one’s peers. Three University College online student veterans were chosen to attend the recent Student Veterans Organization’s (SVA) National Conference in Los Angeles, and they were eager to join other student veterans for this networking and professional development opportunity. With a focus on student veteran success and post-graduation opportunities, they learned everything from landing an internship to transitioning from military to college life.
Shaei Rodriguez is in his fourth year of active duty in the Air Force, stationed at Camp Springs, Maryland. After earning an associate’s degree from the University of Maryland, he was drawn to University College’s bachelor’s degree in knowledge management, confident that it would enrich his military career.
“In the military I serve as one of my installation’s knowledge managers,” explains Rodriguez. “By majoring in knowledge management, I’m receiving schooling that goes beyond my standard training, thus enhancing my abilities as an airman.” After visiting Syracuse in July through the Warrior-Scholar Project, Rodriguez was inspired to apply to Syracuse University.