Arizona State University (ASU) recently unveiled a new certification program aimed at addressing veteran underemployment by enhancing HR professionals’ understanding and capabilities specific to this group. In collaboration with the W. P. Carey Executive Education unit and organizations like the Arizona Coalition for Military Families, the Certificate in Veteran Employment and Development program seeks to bridge the gap between military service experience and corporate culture. Veterans often face significant challenges in securing meaningful employment post-service because HR professionals and hiring managers may not be familiar with the intricacies of military terminology or culture. This unfamiliarity makes it difficult to recognize the full breadth of veteran skills and experience, resulting in a troubling underutilization of their talents.
Despite a high percentage of veterans possessing college degrees, they continue to face notable underemployment and unemployment rates. The core issue stems from the fact that HR professionals often struggle to accurately assess and develop veteran talent. The new ASU certification program addresses these concerns head-on by focusing on key areas like understanding military resumes, interview behaviors, and strategies for successfully onboarding and retaining veteran employees. This in-depth approach is designed to equip HR professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to unlock the potential that veterans bring to the table, thereby benefiting both employers and veterans.
Bridging the Gap Between Military Experience and Corporate Culture
One of the standout features of the Certificate in Veteran Employment and Development program is its focus on hands-on learning and practical application. Participants gain valuable experience by reading anonymized resumes to better translate military skills into civilian job qualifications. This exercise helps HR professionals become more adept at identifying the unique abilities veterans bring to their organizations. Additionally, the program incorporates interviews with experts to provide a comprehensive understanding of both the legal and practical aspects of veteran employment. This multifaceted approach ensures that participants are well-prepared to navigate the complexities of veteran hiring and integration.
Understanding military resumes is crucial for HR professionals tasked with hiring veterans. Military resumes often use specialized terminology that may not be well understood in the civilian workforce. ASU’s program helps HR professionals decode this terminology, translating military roles and experiences into relevant job qualifications that align with civilian positions. This skill is vital for ensuring that veterans’ resumes accurately reflect their abilities and potential contributions to an organization. By equipping HR professionals with this capability, the certification program aims to reduce the disconnect between military experience and civilian employment opportunities.
Enhancing HR Professionals’ Capability to Support Veterans
Eric Knott and Ryan Chase, who played key roles in developing the certification program, emphasize the responsibility that HR professionals bear in supporting veterans during their transition to civilian careers. They argue that adequately preparing HR teams to assess and nurture veteran talent is not only beneficial for the veterans but also for the organizations looking to tap into a highly skilled workforce. The Certificate in Veteran Employment and Development stands as a practical solution for organizations aiming to integrate veterans effectively, thereby promoting organizational success and veteran job satisfaction.
The program’s approach to interviews and veteran onboarding is another critical component. Veterans may exhibit different interview behaviors compared to their civilian counterparts, which can sometimes be misinterpreted by inexperienced hiring managers. The certification program provides HR professionals with insights into these differences, enabling them to conduct interviews in a way that accurately assesses a veteran’s fit for a role. Moreover, the program offers strategies for effectively onboarding and retaining veteran employees, ensuring that they can successfully transition into and thrive within their new positions.
The Unique Value Veterans Bring to the Corporate World
Arizona State University (ASU) has launched a new certification to combat veteran underemployment by enhancing the expertise of HR professionals in this area. Partnering with the W. P. Carey Executive Education unit and the Arizona Coalition for Military Families, the Certificate in Veteran Employment and Development program aims to bridge the gap between military experience and corporate culture. Veterans frequently struggle to find meaningful jobs after service due to HR professionals’ lack of familiarity with military terminology and culture. This gap often leads to an underutilization of veterans’ skills and experience, creating a barrier to their employment.
Although many veterans possess college degrees, they still encounter high rates of underemployment and unemployment. The primary issue lies in HR professionals’ inability to accurately assess and nurture veteran talent. ASU’s new certification program tackles these challenges by concentrating on crucial areas such as interpreting military resumes, understanding interview behaviors, and implementing strategies for onboarding and retaining veteran employees. This comprehensive approach equips HR professionals to fully utilize veterans’ potential, ultimately benefiting both the employers and the veterans themselves.
