MilitaryStars Blog

Free Veteran IT Certification and Training Program

In late 2007 I posted about the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA)'s Creating Futures program, run through their Educational Foundation.  One of its missions was providing free IT certification and training to veterans, and since then, the program has helped over 160 veterans get IT careers!  The CEO of the CompTIA Educational Foundation notes that "military experience combined with IT training and certification makes for a highly valuable employee"; he is 100% correct, and we have employers across all industries hiring for IT positions at our events that would agree!

Young Veterans Volunteer For Their Community and Each Other

One of our mission critical jobs here is to "break down the barrier between soldiers and civilians", so it's great to hear those words coming from a young veteran volunteering his time to do the same thing.  Veterans returning from overseas to their homes in Washington state and the all-too-common uncertainty of transition now have a group of those who have been there, and they do more than talk.  Together they volunteer their time to community improvement projects in the area, and if you don't think that can't make a difference, one of them decided to join in after not leaving his home for nine months.  Imagine how much good could be done for communities and their young veterans if this idea spreads!   

Military and Veteran Fans Wanted on Facebook!

We just created an official Facebook page here, permanenty linked on the left sidebar!  Our sister division Orion has one as well.  Since Events are a slick built-in feature of these pages, we'll be updating our hiring event schedule on Facebook year-round, just like we do on MilitaryStars.com.  Some event photos are up for those who have never been and want to take a look; the Discussion Board is also loaded with a job seeker FAQ we put together through all kinds of feedback; this will be updated as more feedback arrives, too!  We'd be honored to have you as a fan.  Hope you enjoy it - have a great week! 

Electrician Careers

Uplifting profile here of a young veteran in Oregon who got into an apprenticeship program sponsored through an electrians' union and contractors association.  Other veterans are going through the program as well, and the story notes that many of them feel lucky to have gotten in when they did.  Keep in mind, though, that if you already have electrical training in the military, you are already in demand and ahead of the game!  Only about ten percent of the people who apply even get into the program in the story, which is followed by ten terms of apprentice work.  It's worth it because it's a skilled trade  for which employers come to every single one of our events ready to hire!      

Expanded Tax Credits For Hiring Veterans

Perhaps lost in the shuffle a bit in the passing of the economic recovery package today is one of its amendments I wanted to focus on, created by Senator Tom Udall of New Mexico.  He received unanimous support in the Senate for his idea: employers in various parts of the country are already receving tax credits for hiring military, and Sen. Udall wanted more military job seekers and employers to benefit.  A tax credit will now be given to all employers who hire veterans discharged within the past 5 years.  More information in the next-to-last paragraph here!

Make a Difference in a Military Family's Life

More great stuff on really helping veterans - oftentimes veterans who really need it, whose only "help" comes in the form of news stories talking about how bad they have it without any hint that people are out there trying to do something about it.  The Coalition For Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans - made up of nonprofits including the YMCA, Disabled American Veterans, and many more - offers a list of ways anyone can volunteer to help veterans and their families.  Many of these opportunities are nationwide and help is always needed.  Thanks to all involved and have a great week!    

Not Just Helping Veterans - Helping Them Succeed

The nonprofit group Soldiers' Angels, through a grant from the San Antonio Area Foundation, is giving 300 laptops as gits to veterans undergoing treatment at Brooke Army Medical Center.  Severely injured patients' machines are being outfitted with extra DOD gear including voice-recognition software.  The article (San Antonio Business Journal) mentions how helpful the computers will be in these veterans' career searches, and rightly so.  This is what helping veterans succeed is all about.    

Interview Prep From an Employer's Point of View

Here's a welcome twist on interview preparation, showing you how a variety of employers prepare their interview questions!  Keep these in mind and gain an understanding of the recruiter / HR manager's mindset.  Note that many of those polled above (by HRLeaders.org) are well aware of job seekers coming in with answers prepared from interview books and so on.  That does not mean you shouldn't do this!  It does mean that, beyond hearing how well you can relate details you've thought about and prepared, recruiters and HR managers are interested in hearing how you respond on your feet - and, as our office tells them every day, thinking quickly under pressure is one of a veteran's greatest skills! 

New Veteran Only Courts Offer Help

A potentially revoultionary movement is underway in the justice system, getting credit right off the bat for doing something for modern veterans in tough times instead of just talking about it.  Veterans' courts are being created across the country after the success of the first in Buffalo.  Their goal is to keep nonviolent veteran offenders out of jail by offering alternative treatment such as counseling.  A story from nearby Rochester will be live later tonight; other courts have appeared in Alaska and California (through the authorization of Gov. Schwarzenegger).  Veterans are always told how important it is to watch out for each other; here's hoping this effort by the civilian world to watch out for them as well can offer help to the right people.  Keep it in mind and have a great week. 

Military and Veterans: Get Hired Tomorrow in Colorado Springs!

We've received some tremendous local publicity from veterans advocates and fellow bloggers about this event, and are thrilled to be returning to the area!  As might be expected, plenty of career options for the air-inclined will be there, from test pilots to satellite systems and beyond, along with a need for everything from management development trainees to scientists to subject matter experts and much more!  Every employer has committed to be there because they honor your commitment to service and your expertise.  Thanks and success!