Google+ platform presents one-stop shop for veterans and military family members transitioning to civilian workforce
Transitioning from military to civilian life presents a unique set of challenges. To make things easier and provide structure, the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University (IVMF) and leading organizations Hire Heroes USA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Hiring Our Heroes initiative have combined forces to create VetNet, a single place to start. VetNet launches Wednesday, Nov. 28, and is hosted on Google+ and at VetNetHQ.com.
Service members entering the civilian workforce often need assistance with their transition, but the number of organizations offering help can be overwhelming. VetNet is designed to be a free, one-stop shop for the veteran and military family communities as they transition to the civilian workforce. The online resource includes innovative networking tools, career training, job opportunities and entrepreneurship classes—all offered online and at no cost to participants.
No matter where veterans and their family members are in their career search, through VetNet the community has access to resources, tools and instruction to help find the career that’s right for them. Each partner organization (+Hire Heroes USA, +Hiring Our Heroes and +Institute for Veterans and Military Families), brings its own expertise to VetNet through a unique channel.
Powered by the organization, each VetNet “track” leverages Google technology to build an online portal to support veterans based on the post-service transition they are looking to make. Partners provide links to resources, tools and tips related to the training track and items of note and host public events powered by Google Hangouts.
VetNet Basic Training Track: Powered by Hire Heroes USA
This is the channel for those just beginning their search; veterans can get themselves squared away with resume writing workshops and connect to a database of more than 1 million veteran-preferred jobs.
VetNet Career Connections: Powered by Hiring Our Heroes
This is the channel for those looking to figure out what industries or companies might be right for them; veterans can participate in video chats with industry experts and get advice from other veterans eager to share their career experiences.
VetNet Entrepreneur Track: Powered by IVMF
This is the channel for those who want to start their own business; veterans can join the entrepreneur track with college-level business courses to help turn their ideas of self-employment into reality.
“We are thrilled to partner with Google, Hire Heroes USA and the Chamber’s Hiring Our Heroes on this innovative resource to assist veterans and military family members as they make the move to their post-service life course,” says Mike Haynie, IVMF executive director and founder, Barnes Professor of Entrepreneurship at SU’s Whitman School of Management and a U.S. Air Force Veteran. “The IVMF operates a robust portfolio of self-employment training programs in service to those who have served. VetNet’s Entrepreneur Track allows us to share these tools and resources in a unique way, with an even broader audience, to help more veterans and family members open the door to economic opportunity by creating and sustaining an entrepreneurial venture. And who better to pursue the American dream of entrepreneurship than the men and women who have fought to defend our freedom?”
VetNet Entrepreneur offers online resources in addition to an eight-week cycle of two public Hangouts per week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Tuesday Hangouts are entrepreneurship courses covering topics including pathways to business ownership, opportunity recognition, markets and competition, small business econ, choosing the right entity, financing the project, intro to business planning and next steps. Thursday Hangouts provide participants with the opportunity to engage in “Office Hours” with a host of experts, including successful business owners, vetrepreneurs, business course instructors, small business lawyers, angel investors, SBA lending relations, crowdsourcing experts and others offering support, tools and resources for those pursuing entrepreneurship post-service. The Hangouts are offered on-air through the VetNet Entrepreneur channel and archived on YouTube for future viewing.
For more information, latest events and to get started, visit the IVMF-powered VetNet Entrepreneur track.
