Supporting Military Student Success After Service

Military students bring discipline, leadership, and technical expertise to the workforce, but transitioning to civilian careers comes with unique challenges. Many student veterans are also first-generation college students, adding another layer of complexity to their job search. In fact, 62% of student veterans and service members are first-generation students, compared to 43% of non-military-affiliated students.*

62%

of student veterans are first-generation college students, compared to 43% of non-military-affiliated students

^{National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, 2020)}

Career services professionals play a crucial role in helping military students navigate this transition. By tailoring support, leveraging data, and building strong employer connections, universities can help student veterans turn their service experience into meaningful careers. Here’s how.

1. Help Veterans Identify Career Paths

Many military students struggle to convey their skills in ways civilian employers understand. Career advisors can bridge this gap by helping students translate military jargon into industry-relevant language.

Use Veterans Job Matcher and O*NET’s Military Crosswalk to map skills to careers.
Partner with campus Veteran Support Offices for military-specific career guidance.
Offer career workshops focused on transitioning military leadership and technical skills into private-sector roles.

2. Support Resume Building and Interview Preparation

Once students have a career direction, they need to frame their experience in a way civilian employers understand.

Translate military experience into clear, results-driven resume bullet points. For example, instead of “Managed logistics for operations,” use: “Led logistics for 500+ personnel, increasing efficiency by 20%.”
Teach the STAR Method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for structuring interview answers.
Provide mock interviews to build confidence and refine communication skills.

3. Connect with Veteran-Friendly Employers

Career services can play a vital role in helping military students access employers that actively recruit veterans.

Build relationships with Hiring Our Heroes and Veteran Jobs Mission.
Host veteran-focused networking events or a career fair.
Invite alumni veterans to speak on career panels and mentor current students.r students to find relevant roles.

4. Leverage Online Career Resources

LinkedIn’s Veterans Program provides a free year of LinkedIn Premium for networking and job searches.
My Next Move for Veterans helps identify career paths based on military experience.
The Veterans Employment Toolkit offers career transition resources.

5. Strengthen Networking and Mentorship Opportunities

Building a strong professional network is crucial for career success. Military students benefit greatly from mentorship and connections with those who have successfully transitioned.

Connect students with alumni veterans to offer firsthand guidance on career pathways.
Encourage them to join LinkedIn groups like Veteran Mentor Network to find mentors and job leads.
Leverage 12twenty’s networking tools to facilitate alumni connections, mentorship programs, and employer engagement.

Why This Matters

10%

higher earnings for veterans with bachelor’s degrees compared to non-veterans*

30%

of student veterans do not attend career center events, missing key opportunities for job connections.**

^{*U.S. Census Bureau}^**NACE

The transition from military service to civilian employment is a critical moment in a veteran’s career journey. Career services professionals have the opportunity to bridge the gap by providing the right guidance, connections, and resources. With 12twenty, career centers can track outcomes, connect students with veteran-friendly employers, and provide data-driven career support that leads to real results.

By taking a proactive approach, universities can ensure that military students don’t just find jobs—they secure fulfilling careers that reflect their skills, experience, and long-term goals. The impact of this work goes beyond individual success; it strengthens communities, workplaces, and industries that benefit from the leadership and discipline veterans bring.

Supporting military students isn’t just about helping them enter the workforce—it’s about empowering them to thrive in it.

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