Supporting Veteran Transitioning and Employment with Jerry Young, Veteran Engagement Manager at INvets

Airmen Helping Airmen

• Jerry is very passionate and a dedicated servant of military veterans, having been one himself. He focuses on transitioning and assisting folks when they leave the military.
  
• INvets partners with the state of Indiana and is working with veterans and their families, helping them identify the right career and community. Besides service members, Jerry and INvets help military spouses with jobs and careers as well.
  
• One of the primary things Jerry has to deal with regarding veteran employment is managing expectations. Most veterans believe they should work in the police or at random factories. So Jerry starts by helping them identify what they truly want and figuring out good-fitted jobs or industries for them.
  
• After understanding what they want, Jerry supports veterans to start looking at different companies and ensuring their cultures fit them well.
  
• Jerry believes that transitioning service members should know the importance of building a valuable network on LinkedIn to find career opportunities. Before ending your military service, set up your LinkedIn profile, start growing your network, and inform yourself of various job options.
  
• Some of the best resources Jerry recommends for veterans are USO Pathfinder, the Army COOL program, the US Army Career Skills Program, and the Fort Campbell training programs.