Dear DSU Student Veterans, we love you and so do our employers!

Did you know that being a veteran instantly puts you in a desirable category to employers? Today, many of these employers have initiatives through their organizations to hire more diverse people populations; that includes you!

They’re interested in your transferable skills such as leadership, teamwork, interpersonal communication, and teaching experience.  These qualities are sought after because they have already been instilled in you through your time in the military. Which means it saves employers valuable time and energy by hiring already capable and qualified veterans!

So, as we prepare to celebrate Veterans Day 2021, I thought I would provide further information on these transferable skills gained through the military and some examples to consider. 

Leadership Skills

• Directed the day-to-day operations of over 100 personnel and electronically monitored base perimeters ensuring the incident free processing of over 52,000 local nationals and 8,000 vehicles 
• Orchestrated patient movement at different locations throughout Kabul, Afghanistan to ensure all Afghan local nationals received medical care 

Management Skills

• Managed squad personnel, including two team leaders, and equipment worth over $1,000,000
• Facilitated a carefully selected team of Health Care Providers and Specialists

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

• Served as a resource for new team members; provided information and aided in obtaining specific support services such as transportation, child care, personal finances, healthcare, housing, etc.
• Established relationships with team members and their families to ensure understanding of expectations

Organization Skills

• Streamlined patient intake procedures to assure complete capture of patient demographics
• Assisted the Platoon Leader in all technical and tactical planning leading to 100% success

Teamwork

• Provided exceptional law enforcement as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division's Military Police company
• Infiltrated drug operations to curtail illegal drug imports as a member of the Clandestine Counter-Drug Operations team

Training & Teaching Skills

• Taught new flight members in basic infantry tactics as well as unit specific procedures ensuring that individual Airman were ready physically and mentally for combat operations
• Cross trained team members in all positions needed to run the squad efficiently and effectively

This is by no means an exhaustive list; however, I hope it helps kickstart your brainstorming as it pertains to how you communicate these skills in your professional documents (i.e. your resume and cover letter), as well as in your interviews. 

If you have more specific questions about how to illustrate these skills, please reach out to Aubree Hiscox, Career Coach, at DeSales University. I would love nothing more than to hear your story, listen to your experience, and coach you on how to prepare for your transition into the civilian workforce! 

Also, The Career Development Center (CDC) is celebrating Veterans Day this year by hosting Patriotic Pancakes and Handshake on Wednesday, November 10th from 11:00am-1:00pm and 5:00pm-6:00pm in the CDC which is located in Dooling Hall 121. All students are welcome to come, activate their Handshake account, and enjoy some patriotic pancakes. We hope to see you there!