Veteran and Service Member Students

Translating Military Experience to Civilian Life

• UCCS Guide to Resume Writing – Sample Resume with Military Background on pages 10-13 
• My Next Move – ONET – Career tools sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration, and developed by the National Center for O*NET Development. 
• O*NET’s Military Occupation Codes (MOC) Crosswalk –  The purpose of developing a crosswalk of your Military Occupational Classification (MOC)—Military Occupation Specialty (MOS)/Ratings/Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC)—is to relate civilian career opportunities and requirements to your military education, training, and experience. The MOC Crosswalk helps you identify your skills, experience, and abilities. The MOC Crosswalk also helps translate them into civilian terminology. 

• The crosswalk process is as follows: 

• Examine your military experience and training record.  
• Identify civilian occupations/careers that correlate to your career goals and skills/abilities or identify a chosen career field. 
• Identify the education, experience, and credentials required for the identified occupation/career field. 

• Transition Assistance Program (TAP) –  A cooperative interagency effort among the Department of Labor, and the Departments of Defense, Education, Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs, the Small Business Administration and the Office of Personnel Management. 

• TAP eLearning 
• Transition Employment Assistance for Military Spouses (TEAMS)  
• Employment Navigator & Partnership Pilot (ENPP) 
• Off-Base Transition Training (OBTT)  

• Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) – Prepares America’s veterans, service members, and military spouses for meaningful careers, provides them with employment resources and expertise, protects their employment rights, and promotes their employment opportunities. 

• COOL (Credentialing Opportunities On-Line)  – Information on civilian certifications and licenses related to military jobs. Certifications and licenses can enhance resumes to make you a competitive candidate within certain industries. 
• Hire Heroes USA – Supports veterans in finding employment and services are FREE and offered virtually. Clients are individually paired with a Transition Specialist, who is from their network of more than 750 volunteers, most of whom work in corporate America (as entrepreneurs, or as federal employees), coach, mentor and conduct mock interviews to help clients prepare for their job search. Additionally, their job board houses tens of thousands of jobs posted by companies who have been vetted by the staff. 

Job and Internship Search Resources

In addition to Handshake, the UCCS exclusive job board for Students and Alumni, please review these resources below:  

• U.S. Department of Labor VETS Resource Guide (2023) – A comprehensive, complete workbook designed to support each step of your transition into civilian employment, including topics ranging from identifying skills and values to marketing yourself to interviewing. 
• LinkedIn for Veterans and Military – Get the tools to build your professional brand, manage your professional network, and gain the skills you’ll need to be successful in every stage of your career. 
• Feds Hire Vets – Provides Federal employment information for Veterans, transitioning military service members, their families, and Federal hiring officials 
• Veteran Jobs Board – Search the largest free veteran jobs board, find jobs with military-friendly companies, build and post your civilian resume and network with veterans to make the most out of your military skills and experience in the civilian world. 
• GI Jobs Magazine –  Job board for veterans featuring top companies looking to hire veterans. Offering articles, tips and online tools to help student veterans explore different career and post-secondary education options. Recommending specific, how-to advice on everything from job searching, to writing a resume and interviewing. 

• Federal Government Veterans’ Preference Information – The government takes your veteran status into consideration if you apply to a federal position, giving you a preference in appointment over other applicants if you qualify for the position. 
• ClearanceJobs.com & ClearedJobs.Net – If you hold an ACTIVE security clearance from the Department of Defense, Department of State, or the Department of Energy and you are interested in positions within the defense and intelligence community, these job boards are for you. 
• USAJOBS Dedicated Veterans Website – With veterans’ preference, you may receive preference over non-veteran applicants in the hiring process. Veterans’ preference can be used when applying to permanent and temporary positions in both the competitive and excepted service (of the executive branch). 
• Colorado Department of Education Teacher Licensing Resources – If you are a current or former military service member and have an interest in getting into the classroom, there may be several options available to you.  In addition, there may be financial assistance available to cover expenses related to your program. 
• Six Sigma Wings for Heroes –  Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Training and Certification Scholarships now available for US Military Personnel and Veterans.  Lean Six Sigma Black Belts are highly trained Six Sigma experts who possess the knowledge and skills that are necessary to facilitate breakthrough improvements in key processes that support the overall aims of an enterprise or operating unit.  

• HIRE Vets Medallion Program: US Department of Labor’s program that awards employers who are committed to hiring veterans. You can view the list of awardees by geographic location. 
• Military Friendly: List of the top 100 veteran-friendly employers, compiled by Victory Media and updated annually. 
• The Value of a Veteran: Connect with employers who value and support military service. 

Additional UCCS On Campus Resources and/or Community Experts:

• Academic Advising – Supports incoming and current students with developing an academic plan, course selection, transferring credits, auditing seniors’ coursework, and so much more. 
• Excel Centers – A network of four centers, each offering a unique program of academic support and tutoring to help all UCCS students succeed in every aspect of their academic careers, including languages, mathematics, multiliteracy and science.  
• Gallogly Recreation and Wellness Center – Provides mental health services, health services, nutritional guidance, and educational programming that are collaborative, accessible and meet the needs of a diverse student population. 
• UCCS Veterans Health and Trauma Clinic – is a specialized clinic that supports Veterans, active military members, emergency responders, and their families who are struggling with psychological challenges resulting from traumatic experiences in their line of work. The clinic operates under the Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience at UCCS, and it offers tailored treatments that aim to aid in the recovery process.  
• Dean of Students Office – Maintains and administers the University Student Code of Conduct, serves as a student advocate, provides assistance to students in crisis, and supports students by directing services and programs that enhance students’ education and provide life-enriching experiences. 

• Disability Resources – Promote an equitable and inclusive experience by providing reasonable accommodations for students and advancing awareness and education within the campus community. 
• Career Center Students with Disabilities Resources – Check out these national organizations to connect with opportunities, resources, and information.   
• Multicultural Office for Student Access, Inclusiveness, and Community (MOSAIC) – Advocates for the academic, personal, and social development of underrepresented students at UCCS. The office is located in University Center. 
• The LGBT Resource Center at MOSAIC – Provides resources and information to LGBT+ students, advocate for LGBT+ interests throughout campus, conduct outreach and education, and ensure LGBT+ voices are represented among the campus at large. To contact the LGBT+ Resource Center, call (719) 255-3447 or email lgbtrc@uccs.edu. 
• Office of Institutional Equity – investigates allegations of discrimination, harassment and related retaliation based upon an individual’s Protected Class by faculty, staff, or students. Contact the Office of Institutional Equity to schedule an appointment at 719-255-4324 or by email at equity@uccs.edu. This office is located in Main Hall, room 201. 

• Divison of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion – Committed to supporting UCCS to be a leading educational institution where all who attend, work and benefit from the campus are valued and respected. 

Professional Associations and Organizations:

• Veteran Jobs Mission – This coalition is recognized as a best-in-class organization that provides opportunities for members to network with like-minded organizations and thought leaders who are making an impact. 

• Bunker Labs – a 501(c)(3) non-profit – is a national network of veteran entrepreneurs dedicated to helping new veteran entrepreneurs start their own business. 
• Veterati – Veterati is a free mentorship platform for Service Members, Veterans, and Military Spouses to access unlimited mentors. 
• Lime Connect: Prepare for and connect to scholarships, internships, and full-time careers. Lime Connect works with corporate partners to rebrand disability through achievement.  
• Warriors to Work: Match your skills and experience to the needs of hiring managers through this career support program of the Wounded Warrior Project. 
• Marine Corps Association & Foundation – Professional organization of the United States Marine Corps, dedicated to leader development, recognition of professional excellence and expanding awareness of traditions, history, and spirit. 

• Association of the United States Army – Nonprofit educational and professional development association serving America’s Army and supporters of a strong national defense. 
• Fleet Reserve Association – Congressionally chartered, non-profit organization that represents the interests of the Sea Service community before the U.S. Congress. 
• Non-Commissioned Officers Association – Organization intended to enhance the quality of life for noncommissioned and petty officers in all branches, offering its members a wide range of benefits and services designed especially for enlisted service members and their families. 
• Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) – Advocacy organization that fights for public policy reform, supports post-9/11 veterans’ transitions, and connects members through its extensive network. 
• Real Warriors Campaign – Promotes a culture of support for psychological health by encouraging the military community to reach out for help whether coping with the daily stresses of military life, or concerns like depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. 

• Veterans in Media & Entertainment: unites and empowers military veterans working in entertainment and media. 
• Military Veterans in Journalism: builds community for vets, supports career growth, and advocates for diversifying newsrooms through hiring and promoting more vets. 
• Women Veterans Alliance:  national network focused the overall well-being of women veterans.  Creates community through women veteran networking groups, events, and national conferences. 

Employment and Community Resources:

• Ft. Carson Education Center – The Fort Carson Education Center offers the full range of Army Continuing Education Services (ACES), to include counseling, Basic Skills Education Program (BSEP), DANTES Education Testing, Army Personnel Testing and a computer lab/MLF.  In addition, our five on-post schools offer several post-secondary programs. 
• Peterson AFB Education and Testign Services Center – The Education and Testing Services (ETS) Center is here to meet the education and vocational needs of active-duty personnel and their adult family members and DoD civilians. 
• Air Force Aid Society – Provides emergency assistance, community programs, and education support Airmen and Guardians.  
• El Paso County Veteran Services – The El Paso County Veterans Service Office was established by State law to advise and assist veterans, their dependents, and their survivors concerning any Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits which such person may be, or may have been, entitled to receive under the laws of the United States or the State of Colorado.  
• Mt. Carmel Veteran Services Center – Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center is dedicated to improving the lives of our Military and Veteran communities by providing support and services in a variety of areas. 

• The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus provides confidential, compassionate and personalized mental health care to active duty service members (with Tricare referral), post-9/11 veterans and family members. 
• U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs and Mental Health Services 
• Woman Veteran – The VA understands that women Veterans may have unique experiences and treatment needs. VA mental health clinicians work to ensure that all women Veterans have access to high-quality gender-sensitive treatment. 
• LGBTQ+ Veteran –  You cannot be denied services or benefits at VA because of your identity. VA policies that protect your rights as an LGBTQ+ Veteran. 
• Home Front Military Network – Helps service members, veterans and their families navigate support systems through web-based and call-in information and assistance to find the services that are the best fit and follows alongside these individuals every step of the way. 

Career Tips, Articles, Blogs, and Resources:

• 9 Tips to Help Veterans Find Jobs (Big Interview)  
• Woman Veteran Opportunity Report (LinkedIn)  
• MoneyGeek’s “From Camo to Business Casual: A Veterans Guide to Job Hunting in the Civilian World” 

Media:

• Veteran On the Move 
• 7 Echo Podcast 
• SuccessVets 
• Security Clearance Careers 
• Military Entrepreneur Show 
• Career Warrior Podcast