Student Veterans of America

Last year, Student Veterans of America was honored to contribute to LinkedIn's Veteran Opportunity Report, which highlighted a critical insight: veterans often underutilize their networks, missing out on valuable career resources and assistance. When it comes to student veterans, the issue goes beyond networking. Our own research shows that many student veterans don't feel supported by their campus career centers, whose services are tailored to traditional students. We have long dreamed of providing student veterans with a job search experience that’s tailored to their needs. Last fall, we announced that The Walt Disney Company’s Founding Sponsorship of the SVA Career Center had made this dream a reality. The SVA Career Center offers a variety of resources, starting with our specialized job board. This isn't just any job board; it’s a gateway to career opportunities, internships, scholarships, and the chance to gain industry-relevant experience while still in school. We’ve partnered with leading companies that recognize the unique strengths and skills veterans bring to the workforce. These partnerships create pathways to careers in high-demand fields – such as STEM, healthcare, business, and entertainment – providing practical experience that’s invaluable during and after education. And this is just the beginning. We're continuously adding services like resume-building workshops, webinars, and more tailored specifically to former service members and their families. We are deeply grateful to The Walt Disney Company, LinkedIn, and Lockheed Martin for their generous support of the SVA Career Center. Their commitment ensures that student veterans have access to the resources they need to succeed. If you’re a student veteran ready to take the next step in your career journey, explore the SVA Career Center. I’ll put a link in the comments. Let's connect and build a network that works for you.

Earlier this afternoon, Student Veterans of America's (SVA)Employer Relations Coordinator, Awilda Carozza, and Success Coach, Chad McFarlane, presented at the 11th Annual National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) Veterans Conference. During their session titled, “Empowering Veteran Transition: Unveiling the Student Veterans of America (SVA) Career Center,” they explored the impact of the SVA Career Center on helping veterans transition smoothly into civilian careers. They also discussed how the job board matches job seekers with employers and the comprehensive career and academic support provided by the Center. #SVALeads #WeAreSVA #StudentVeterans

Yesterday, I had the privilege of speaking at the National Association of State Workforce Agencies 2024 Veterans Conference, an event dedicated to "Serving Those Who Served." It was inspiring to engage with professionals committed to enhancing the lives of veterans and transitioning service members. A group that impacted my life as a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs work-study when I was a student veteran at Florida State University. In my session, "Bridging the Gap: Empowering Student Veterans for Success in Higher Education and Employment," I shared insights from my personal journey and Student Veterans of America’s extensive work. We delved into the unique challenges student veterans face, from financial hurdles and employment during school to childcare needs, academic integration, mental health, and mentorship. The collaborative efforts of NASWA and SVA are vital in providing the necessary support systems for veterans. By leveraging our networks and resources, we can better assist student veterans in navigating their educational and career paths - while they are in college and long after they graduate. NASWA's dedication to workforce development plays a crucial role in ensuring veterans transition smoothly into civilian life. Together, we can make a significant impact on the lives of those who have served our country. To learn more about how we can support student veterans, I encourage you to check out SVA’s programs and initiatives which I will link below. Also, if you are in DC for day two of the conference, be sure to check out the informative breakout session titled: Empowering Veteran Transition: Unveiling the Student Veterans of America (SVA) Career Center presented by my SVA colleagues Awilda Carozza 🌸 and Chad McFarlane. Let's continue to work together to empower student veterans for success at every stage of their journey. #Veterans #HigherEducation #Employment #NASWA2024 #StudentVeterans #SVA #VeteranSupport

Student Veterans of America’s (SVA) Employer Relations Coordinator, Awilda Carozza, and Success Coach, Chad McFarlane, will be presenting at the 11th Annual NASWA Veterans Conference on Thursday, August 8th @ 2:30 PM EST. Their session, “Empowering Veteran Transition: Unveiling the Student Veterans of America (SVA) Career Center,” will highlight the transformative impact of the SVA Career Center in aiding veterans’ transitions to civilian careers. Attendees will gain insights into the comprehensive job board, employer engagement opportunities, and personalized career support offered by the Career Center during this breakout session. #WeAreSVA #SVALeads #StudentVeterans National Association of State Workforce Agencies

We know that scams target everyone, no matter age, gender, and income/education level. Our partner, the Better Business Bureau, is conducting research to better understand how scams are impacting the military community (active duty, spouses/families, and veterans). This information will enable BBB and its fraud-fighting partners to expand and improve consumer education activities for the military community. Your responses will be kept confidential and only shared in aggregate. This survey will take no more than 5 minutes. The survey deadline is August 21, 2024. Please complete the survey here: https://lnkd.in/eEm7jPXP.

How-To: Enhancing Your Job Search with Career Center Tools and Support Explore the Student Veterans of America (SVA) Career Center and connect with employers who value your military service and embark on a journey to achieve your career aspirations through the camaraderie of an excited and supportive community. In this live webinar you will learn: - How can the career center help me connect with jobs + employers? - How to optimize your profile on a job board - How to prepare for transition out of higher education August 12, 2024 @ 6:30 PM EST -- Register Here: https://lnkd.in/eKayGD7K #WeAreSVA #SVALeads #StudentVeterans

🚨 Exciting Speaker Spotlight! 🚨 Join us in welcoming Abby Kinch, Ph.D., Chief of Staff at Student Veterans of America, to the Military Life Cycle and Transition Summit! Abby will be sharing invaluable insights on the transformative impact of veterans in the classroom. 🏫✨ Don't miss this opportunity to learn from a leader dedicated to empowering student veterans. ✒ 📓 💻 👉 Explore other distinguished presenters and panelists by clicking the link in the comments and register for this free event! 🎓🇺🇸 #Veterans #Military #Chicago #HigherEd

Student Veterans of America (SVA) would like to extend gratitude to Camp Southern Ground, Zac Brown, Brent Taylor, and Lacy Gunnoe, for allowing us to give back to the community through acts of service during our Southeast Regional Summit. #SVALeads #StudentVeterans #WeAreSVA

Chad McFarlane, Chelsea Schroeder, M.Ed., GCDF, CCSP, CSCC, and Mercedez Goff are driving real change for student veterans at the Student Veterans of America Advising Center. Chad McFarlane brings a wealth of experience and passion to his role as a success coach. A US Army veteran, Chad completed two deployments to Iraq and earned multiple awards. Since transitioning to civilian life, Chad has dedicated himself to improving veterans' access to higher education. His journey from SVA chapter leader to Success Coach exemplifies his commitment to guiding student veterans and helping them achieve their potential. Chelsea Schroeder has over four years of experience in the veteran nonprofit sector, specializing in career coaching for veterans and military spouses. As a military spouse herself, Chelsea understands the unique challenges of the community and is dedicated to providing meaningful support. She holds a Master of Education and certifications in career development, ensuring her clients receive top-notch guidance. Mercedez Goff, an Army veteran, joined the ranks of SVA as a Success Coach in 2024 but started her journey with SVA during the final year of her undergraduate studies where she attended a Regional Summit, the Leadership Institute, and NatCon as an SVA chapter president. Mercedez holds a Supporting Veteran Success certification and a Business Analytics degree. Following medical complications during service, she discovered her love for helping others achieve success. She has vowed to dedicate her life to ensuring that others who are transitioning find their new life mission. Chad, Chelsea, and Mercedez bring personal experience and professional expertise to the SVA Advising Center, helping student veterans through their genuine, hands-on approach. They have both helped build our Advising Center from scratch and continue to share valuable feedback to ensure we’re providing best-in-class support. Our Success Coaches are more than counselors—they’re leveraging their lived experiences to help veterans navigate their transition from military to civilian life. Thank you, Chad, Chelsea, and Mercedez for all the work you do!

A special thank you to Dr. Vivian Greentree, Ph.D., Senior Vice President at Fiserv and member of our SVA Board of Directors, for joining us at our southeastern regional summit and welcoming our chapter leaders to Atlanta. #SVALeads #StudentVeterans #WeAreSVA