Internships, Apprenticeships, and Rotational Programs

• Some larger organizations, recognizing your lack of experience in these corporate functions, have designed internships or rotational programs that allow you exposure to several functions over the course of the program. This allows you to experience these functions first-hand and decide about your proper fit. Rotational programs tend to be geared towards Junior Military Officers (JMOs) or Non-Comissioned Officers (NCOs) with at least a Bachelor’s degree. Here are some examples of each (this is certainly not a complete list; please inquire as to whether a targeted employer may have a similar program):
  • Corporate Internships or Rotational Programs
    • Goldman Sachs Veterans Integration Program: http://www.goldmansachs.com/careers/experienced-professionals/veterans-integration-program/index.html
    • Bank of America JMOLP: http://militarytransition.bankofamerica.com/who-we-are/supporting-our-veterans
    • General Electric JOLP: http://www.ge.com/careers/culture/us-veterans/junior-officer-leadership-program
    • Kaiser Permanente JMO: http://kpcareers.org/article/military
  • Federal agency internships
    • The Department of Defense’s Operation Warfighter. This internship program matches qualified wounded, ill, and injured service members with non-funded federal internships so they may gain work experience during their recovery and rehabilitation. https://warriorcare.dodlive.mil/carecoordination/operation-warfighter/
    • These programs offer Federal internships for students from high school through post-graduate school and clear paths to Federal careers for recent graduates.
      • Internship Program: Offers currently enrolled students paid opportunities to work in agencies and explore Federal careers while still in school.
      • Recent Graduates Program: Offers recent graduates of qualifying educational institutions a career development program with training and mentoring.
      • Presidential Management Fellows Program: The Federal government’s premier leadership development program for advanced degree candidates. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/students-recent-graduates/.
    • Department of Veterans Affairs Intern Programs
      • Non-Paid Work Experience (NPWE): Provides eligible veterans with the opportunity to obtain training and practical job experience by working in a federal, state, or local government agency.
      • On-the-Job Training (OJT) Program: Provides eligible veterans an opportunity to obtain training and practical hands-on experience at federal agencies. https://www.fedshirevets.gov/hiring-officials/veteran-initiatives/.
• Consider an apprenticeship. An apprenticeship combines on-the-job training and specialized classes to help workers enter highly skilled occupations. Workers earn a salary while gaining valuable skills. You can search for available apprenticeships here: https://www.careeronestop.org/toolkit/training/find-apprenticeships.aspx.  The Federal government sponsors several:
  • Post-9/11 GI Bill Apprenticeship Program (http://www.doleta.gov/oa/veterans.cfm), where eligible veterans receive a monthly housing allowance in addition to their apprenticeship wages
  • The US Chamber of Commerce Foundation Fellows program, also known as the Hiring Our Heroes Corporate Fellowship Program (https://www.hiringourheroes.org/fellowships/)
  • Army Career Skills Program, whose participating companies are unique to each post. Contact your local SFL-TAP center.
  • VA benefits that cover costs associated with On-the-Job Training and Apprenticeships (https://www.vets.gov/education/work-learn/job-and-apprenticeship/)
  • State Department Veterans Innovation Partnership Fellowship Program. (https://careers.state.gov/interns-fellows/professional-fellowships/vip/)
  • Office of the Secretary of Defense Fellows program. (https://www.acq.osd.mil/log/lmr/fellows_program.html)
  • Department of Defense Skillbridge Program (https://skillbridge.osd.mil)
  • United Services Military Apprenticeship Program (USMAP). Allows service members to complete an apprenticeship while on active duty. (https://usmap.osd.mil)
  • The Department of Energy’s Veterans Programs (https://www.energy.gov/jobs/veteran-programs)
  • Fastport’s national apprenticeship program, in partnership with the Department of Labor (https://www.nationalapprenticeship.org)
  • Forgenow runs an eight-week basic training program for HVAC and electrical trades (https://forgenow.com/military/)
  • Helmets to Hardhats. National nonprofit program that connects veterans and military service members with training and career opportunities in the construction industry. (https://helmetstohardhats.org)
  • Operation Socrates. Nonprofit that mentors active-duty military and veterans desiring to become a teacher and links them to employment opportunities. (https://operationsocrates.org)
  • The Painters and Allied Trades Veterans Program. (https://pat-vp.org)
  • Purdue University’s Cyber Apprenticeship Program. (https://polytechnic.purdue.edu/p-cap)
  • Shift.org facilitates several programs that serve veterans, transitioning service members, and their prospective employers. (https://www.shift.org/partners)
  • Soldiers To Sidelines. Nonprofit that provides training and certification opportunities for aspiring coaches, many of whom also become teachers. (https://soldierstosidelines.org)
  • Troops to Trades. Nonprofit that provides scholarships and employment opportunities within the plumbing, HVAC, and electrical services industries. (https://explorethetrades.org/troops-to-trades/)
  • United Association Veterans in Piping Program. (https://www.uavip.org/trades-that-ua-vip-offers)
  • The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs maintains a list of employers that offer apprenticeships. (At the top of the page in Search Filters, select Program Type “On-The-Job-Training/Apprenticeship,” then select your state on the map below.) (https://inquiry.vba.va.gov/weamspub/buildSearchInstitutionCriteria.do)
  • Workshops^® for Warriors. Nonprofit that provides training and education for veterans interested in an advanced manufacturing career field. (https://wfw.org)
  • Graduates of any vocational, trade, or technical programs featured on the Real Work Matters website. (https://www.rwm.org)