Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
I started writing this article already knowing of a few programs that Google had in place for helping veterans, but as I started researching more I kept finding more and more initiatives from Google to help those that served in the military start their next career.
Google is helping out in more than just offering jobs or having veteran hiring programs — they are putting money into programs that are directly aimed at helping veterans.
In the coming weeks I plan on releasing more information about programs related to helping veterans pursue a career in tech. Included will be interview posts with veterans who are now working in that industry. There is a perception out there that you have to be a coder to work in tech, something that is far from the truth. Veterans can contribute from the start in the tech world, even without programming skills.
But even if you aren’t interested in working in tech, these resources from Google serve as a great way to get your next career started.
1. Use your MOS code to find your next job.
If you are just starting to think about what you want to do after the military, a good place to start is Google’s MOS job search function. The project was spearheaded by veterans at Google after their own frustrations in translating their military service.
Simply input your MOS code and “jobs” into Google and a list of jobs based on your skills and experience in the military will be presented to you. For example, I input my first job in the military (11A-infantry officer) into a Google search and got the following results.
This is not a perfect solution, but can be a good place to start thinking, especially if you are moving right from the military into the workforce.
I will also say that the fact that security contracting jobs or military-related jobs were not at the top of the list for an infantry officer at least tells me that the algorithm is geared toward presenting professional civilian jobs.
This technology, the Cloud Talent Solution, is applied through enterprise job searches as well. Meaning that the same type of search can be inputted into FedEx Careers, Encompass Health Careers, Siemens Careers, CareerBuilder, and Getting Hired to find careers that align with your MOS.
2. Get IT Training with the USO.
The USO is simply an amazing organization. We tend to take them for granted while in the military and view them almost as an extension of the DoD, but the fact remains that they are a private organization and do a lot to help those on active duty.
When you start your transition process, I recommend meeting with the local USO office to talk about the Pathfinder program. Through this, they will pair you with one of their full-time employees who can guide you through the whole transition process. I found out about this program a little late in the game and so I didn’t take full advantage of it, but I knew some people who did and had a great experience.
In support of this program, Google gave the USO a $2.5 million grant to incorporate the Google IT Support Professional Certificate into their programming. This certificate introduces you to troubleshooting, customer service, networking, operating systems, system administration, and security to enable you to be an IT support professional.
3. Apply for a Google Student Veterans of America Scholarship.
Google partnered with Student Veterans of America, a coalition of veteran groups across US campuses, to create a $10,000 scholarship for those interested in pursuing a degree in the field of computer science. The scholarship is eligible for undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as for separated service members and active duty alike. Currently, their site does not list a limit on the number of awardees.
4. Use Google Travel and Conference Scholarships.
These are meant to help underrepresented groups, including veterans, in the fields of business and technology to attend tech-related conferences. Google will retroactively award individuals up to $1,000 to offset the costs of travel and accommodations.
Quick note: When looking at the site, look under the North America tab.
These conferences can serve as a great way to learn and build a network in the tech world.
5. Identify your business as veteran-owned or led.
I’m personally interested in finding out about resources to help veterans pursue entrepreneurship. To give some context, 50% of WWII veterans owned their own business, as did 40% of Korean War veterans. Today that number is 4.5%. I have yet to see great data on why this may be, but I don’t take it as a healthy indicator.
In one small step, Google now has a feature where businesses can identify as veteran-owned or veteran-led. From this, you can attribute this to a business profile on Google, which will show up when people look for your business on Google Search and Maps.
6. Get free business lessons on your phone.
Through the Primer app, small-business owners can access free resources and information on business fundamentals to help them grow their business. Included in this feature are courses specifically focused on small businesses owned or led by veterans.
7. Work at a startup or start your own.
Google is partnering with Veteran Capital (FYI this is who I worked with for my own DoD Skillsbridge internship), Patriot Boot Camp, and Bunker Labs to help transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses get startup jobs and pursue careers in entrepreneurship.
8. Prep before your MBA.
The Google Student Veterans Summit is a two-day summit for military members already accepted to an MBA program. At the summit, veterans will get the opportunity to work on their resume, get interview coaching, and speak with other veterans at Google.
9. Join the Google Veterans Network.
Should you find yourself landing a job at Google — no easy task — they have their own veteran affiliation group, the Google Veterans Network. The VetNet, as it is called, is an internal employee resource group and volunteer community.
One of the biggest things veterans miss after service is the connection and camaraderie they felt while in uniform. Affiliation groups can serve as a way to regain that sense of connection and have a place where you can share with other employees about veteran-related issues.
10. Access transition resources.
Although it does not look like Google launched this program, The Help a Hero Get Hired program connects military veterans in transition with mentors from Google through a partnership with Student Veterans of America and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. The intent is to have workshops focused around writing a resume, interviewing, and helping veterans build confidence in their civilian job search.
Until then, try these free classes from Google on everything from landing a job, to succeeding in the workplace, to launching your own business.
If nothing else, you should be inspired by the fact that large companies like Google are working to help veterans succeed. But none of these resources will do anything for you unless you make the effort yourself. So do your research and take advantage of the opportunities that are out there.
Related:
You Should Learn to Code. Seriously.