Do you know an Active duty service member who is transitioning out of the service soon? They might feel some doubt that the full potential of their skills will be utilized in civilian employment. Shift, a career change company, helps transitioning service members turn their military experience into new careers. Shift facilitates internship opportunities at high-growth media and technology companies in major job markets (New York City, Dallas, San Francisco, and DC) via the DoD SkillBridge Initiative and Career Skills Program.
“The thing that most companies don’t understand about Veterans is that they are so much more than their resume,” says Mike Slagh, who before founding Shift, was an EOD Officer in the U.S. Navy with a software development background.
“The skills and experience you gain in the military are once-in-a-lifetime, but employers don’t always know how to make sense of those skills. Service members develop professionalism, discipline, teamwork and communication skills that may not jump off the page in a resume bullet, but are incredibly valuable to modern organizations,” he says.
Lee Becker, VA’s Veteran Experience Office Chief of Staff, and Former U.S. Navy Medic, gives the program two thumbs up, saying “the superpower of this program is that the internship happens while service members are still on active duty.” Shift cracked the code on military transitions by working to bridge the gap that exists between soon-to-be-Veterans and employers, helping put their hard-earned skills to work at some of the country’s most exciting employers.
Shift is a career change company for Service Members and Veterans
Case in point: This month, Shift launched a partnership with WeWork, ranked one of the top 20 companies to work for in America, to place transitioning service members in their offices in New York, San Francisco, San Jose, and Los Angeles. If you know someone getting out soon who might be interested, applications for the WeWork positions are now open.
“Most Veterans already have 90% of the experience they need to thrive in a new career,” says Slagh. “Internships and on-the-job training provide extra help in figuring out how those skills translate to the civilian workforce.”
To help Service members make the transition, Shift helps with the little things prior to an internship opportunity — resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles and interviews. But more importantly, Shift helps transitioning service members understand what their new career might look like, and how to turn their hard-earned military experience into jobs like sales, project management, and data analysis.
Take Laura Cordero. She was a Munitions Specialist in the Air Force. She “built bombs” and had no idea how those skills would make sense to her new employer.
“Honestly, I don’t know where I would have been without Shift. Either re-enlisted or still looking for a job.” says Laura. “Shift wanted to hear my story, and they really understood how my service translated into things that matter in the civilian workforce. They helped me get out of the military mindset and see my experience through civilian eyes.”
Similarly, Harrison Mann was a Special Ops Officer in the Army, and though he was confident in his abilities, he wasn’t quite sure how they would apply to the civilian workforce. Since landing a job at San Francisco payment startup Affirm through Shift’s Military Fellows program, Harrison has been promoted three times and become a crucial member of Affirm’s management team.
‘Veterans are so much more than their resume,’ Shift.org
Shift makes it easy for active duty service members to take advantage of the DoD SkillBridge program, with hands-on help getting commander approval, 1-on-1 support from a person who helps you translate your skills, housing reimbursements if you’re in a new city, and a network of world-class employers who want to hire Veterans.
Know an active duty service member who would be a good fit for this program? Shift recently announced their Nominations Program, which rewards people with $500 if they nominate someone who accepts a Shift Military Fellowship as a small token of appreciation for changing a service member’s career trajectory.
And what about current Veterans? Though the Military Fellowship is exclusively for active duty service members, Veterans represent an incredible underutilized talent pool of millions from every corner of the country. That’s why Shift is gearing up to launch a program specifically for Vets, and you can sign up for the wait list today.
Whether you’re an active duty service member planning your transition from the military, or a Veteran who believes you are capable of more, visit Shift.org to see how they can help you take the next step in your future career.
Shift.org Military Fellowship Handbook
Disclaimer: The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products or services on the part of the VA
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and how to join or register on Shift?
Sad how they give everything away to illegal immigrants and those who served their country have to beg for a decent job or assistance when were down and out. I went through the endless loops and bureaucracy at the VA and got absolutely nowhere mostly lip service. I found it better if you struggle on your own at least you get somewhere other than a minimum wage job where they treat you as if you have a mental disability….
Do you know about SB 1071? Its a CA Senate bill that was signed into law by Gov Brown last Oct that mandates all of the California Community Colleges(CCC) to give college credit for military education and experience. I help write this bill and now the does not like any part of it. They have yet to develop policies to comply with this legislation, They have delayed this for years and only one reason is MONEY!!
Surely you know of the linkage between the GI Bill and student loans called the 90-10 loophole. I contend that ALL schools see the “invisible funding target” painted on all vets back by this SCAM. The Sec of Education wants to keep this going too.
Hi, I have been retired for 6 years now and I was wondering how can I get involved with SHIFT
The shift.org links do not load. is there another way to access the information?
Making this available to all veterans is needed. Speaking from a family with a 35 yr. old veteran who worked 14 yrs. in the same job. Now — works 4 different night jobs, 6 days a week.
Does this only apply to recent or soon to be transitioning out of service members?
How hard would it be for me to intern at the VA. I am at that phase in my masters counseling program.
It is a dream come true. I’m a disabled veteran who at 62 desires a change of fears to lead farther into a productive life. I recently registered in my local VOC. Your program may furtherer aid in achieving said productive life. Please, add me in your program .
I am a veteran who qualifies FOR NOTHING! Where do you come up with this anyway?
We all have a responsibility to serve this country and support our active-duty service men and women and veterans. Perhaps the most important thing a veteran can do to make the transition to the private sector is find a mentor to offer guidance, insights and contacts. This is a way employers can help – assign a seasoned employee to take the newly-hired veteran under his or her tutelage. Serving in the military is a life-changing event. During service, veterans often obtain skills and training that make them valuable to employers. However, regardless of those skills, veterans deserve a place in American business. Hiring vets can be a win for everyone if both sides understand the fundamental differences between the military and private sector and determine ways to successfully integrate veterans into the workforce.