Who Are Student Veterans?
A student veteran is an American military veteran enrolled in higher education. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, 85% of student veterans are older than traditional college students, and many are more likely to have a job off-campus. Student veterans bring a wealth of life experiences and a diverse skill set to St. Thomas and prospective employers.
Your experience in the military offers you a strong, transferrable skillset that can help you fulfill your career goals, whether you decide to continue in a military career, seek a government position, or switch to a civilian role. At the Career Development Center, you’ll find career staff committed to helping you translate your military skills, leverage your combined service and educational experiences, and find a fulfilling ‘next step’ after St. Thomas.
On this page, you’ll find career-specific advice and resources for student veterans at St. Thomas. Here are 3 reasons you should engage with career services today:
- Learn how to highlight your skills and education. Struggling with “translating” your military experience onto a resume or during an interview? Browse through our online resume and interview resources or speak with a Career Educator for one-on-one assistance.
- Maximize your time on campus. It’s hard to stay on top of all that’s going on around campus, especially when you have responsibilities outside your coursework. A Career Educator can help you stay informed about the upcoming career and networking events that are most relevant to your professional goals.
- Make the most of your education. Your tuition at St. Thomas pays for more than just your courses. It pays for all sorts of services and amenities on campus — from flu shots to water fountains to lifelong career appointments!
- Military Experience: Anyone who has served knows the military has a language of its own. It is important to translate this language in order to effectively communicate your skills and strengths. Set aside some time to take inventory of your technical skills (or better yet, get a copy of your VMET through the Department of Defense) and intangible skills (such as leadership and discipline). When it’s time to write, replace acronyms and terms with descriptions that can be understood by a civilian audience.
- Resume Type: Did you know there are different ways to organize your resume? Determine whether a chronological resume or a functional resume (or a combination of the two) will better highlight your unique qualifications.
- Resume Review: Getting feedback on your resume is easy! Option 1: Schedule a Resume Review appointment on Handshake. Option 2: Visit MHC123 during drop-in hours from 10 to 3, Monday to Friday.
- Head to the Karon Veterans Resource Center for “your home base on campus.”
- Military Benefits: Learn about the variety of programs available to veterans and/or their dependents to assist with educational expenses.
- Center for Well-Being: Family obligations and “invisible wounds” are just some of the challenges that student veterans face during their post-military transition. If you’re struggling, don’t hesitate to schedule time with a counselor. Find a variety of services from Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), including individual counseling and group therapy.
- Off-Campus Student Life: Free meals, housing/roommate listings, and a study lounge with desktop computers are just some of the hospitality programs and resources available in Room 218 at the Anderson Student Center.
- Nick Doten and Nicole Brumley are the veterans certifying officials for undergraduate students and graduate students, respectively.
- Contact Amanda Cantu for undergraduate financial aid support and Chad Nosbusch for graduate financial aid support.
