Veteran Employment Success Stories

Every month the Office of Veteran Employment Services (OVES) will be sharing stories of individuals that have successfully found careers through our services. Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Representative (DVOP) provide the intensive services necessary to meet the employment needs of Veterans who are economically or educationally disadvantaged, disabled, homeless, or facing other significant barriers to employment. Visit often to see how Wisconsin is putting our Veterans back to work!

March 2019

• A Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation Program veteran accepted a position as a Category Manager after receiving career services assistance from the Office of Veteran Employment Services staff. The veteran negotiated a salary of $50,000.00 per year and a full benefit package following probation.
• A service-connected disabled veteran who completed the Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation Program worked with the Office of Veteran Employment Services staff who guided the veteran through intensive career services. The veteran was thereafter able to secure a position as an Elementary School Teacher with a salary of $38,715.00 per year with full benefit package following 90-day probation.
• After receiving a full complement of career services from the Office of Veteran Employment Services; a service-connected disabled veteran was hired as an Office Assistant-Advanced. This is a full-time permanent position with a wage of $20.00 per hour with benefits and the opportunity for overtime hours.
• An 80% service-connected disabled veteran who completed the Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation Program received assistance with resume development; job searching skill; and interviewing techniques from the Office of Veteran Employment Services staff. After interviewing with several companies, the veteran accepted a position as a Scheduler with full benefits and a starting salary of $17.67 per hour.
• A service-connected disabled veteran who was case managed by an Office of Veteran Employment Services team member received career guidance; job referrals; resume creation; and employment search assistance. The veteran applied for and was offered a position as a Dispatcher, earning $17.50 per hour.
• A service-connected disabled veteran recently went through a situation which left the veteran without a family home and supporting two children. The Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist (DVOP) and veteran completed "whole person" needs assessment, ultimately securing funding for payment of bills and mitigation of 95 percent of move-in cost through partner programs. The DVOP assisted the veteran with resume development; job leads; and interview preparation. The veteran was hired as a Catheter Lab Radiology Technician earning $77,000.00 per year with full benefits.
• A service-connected disabled veteran received assistance with job leads; resume development; family guidance; and financial literary information from the Office of Veteran Employment Services and other partner agencies. The veteran applied, interviewed, and accepted an offer as a Conveyor Repair Technician earning $62,400.00 per year.
• A service-connected disabled veteran was provided an initial assessment, career guidance, case management, resume creation, employment search, and placement from Office of Veteran Employment Services staff. The veteran gained employment as a Machine Maintenance Technician earning $50,000.00 per year.
• A service-connected disabled and homeless veteran who had lost employment was provided gas and food cards, a housing referral to the Center for Veteran Issues (CVI), and assistance completing a tailored resume. The veteran was hired as a Machine Shop Parts Fabricator and will earn $18.00 per hour with full benefits.
• A service-connected disabled veteran who has been unable to maintain employment because of a service-connected injury, worked with the Office of Veteran Employment Services staff to complete a comprehensive assessment and resume, and was provided job leads and interviewing strategies. The veteran applied for several positions and accepted a position earning $15.75 per hour as a Customer Service Representative.
• A service-connected disabled veteran connected with staff from the Office of Veteran Employment Services and received resume development and job referrals relating to work experience. The veteran was offered and accepted a Hospital Housekeeper position starting at $15.75 per hour with benefits.
• A veteran who was recently released from incarceration who subsequently became homeless was provided resume development guidance, assistance identifying occupations of interest, and case management services by an Office of Veteran Employment Services (OVES) team member. The veteran used the resources provided by OVES staff to assist in gaining employment in food production with a starting wage $15.60 an hour.
• The Office of Veteran Employment Services assisted a 100% service-connected veteran by providing resume development and job search and interviewing techniques. The veteran was very excited to receive a job offer as a Site Director with a Veterans Housing and Recovery Program earning $58,000.00 per year.
• An Office of Veteran Employment Services team member assisted a veteran enrolled in the Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program. The staff provided a full complement of job service tools supporting the veteran in applying for and interviewing for positions. The veteran accepted an offer for a permanent position with the as a Region Communications Manager with a starting salary of $57,283.00 annually.
• A 100% service-connected, Chapter 31 veteran successfully completed case management with the Office of Veteran Employment Services. The veteran gained employment as a Critical Care Nurse at a local hospital with a salary of $52,000.00 plus benefits and shift differential.
• A service-connected veteran developed a working relationship with the Office of Veteran Employment Services (OVES) staff. The veteran received case management and was provided several career services, guidance, and referrals. Using the skills provided by OVES staff, the veteran applied to and accepted employment as an Electric Technician earning $50,960.00 annually.
• A low-income veteran was provided resume assistance and coaching on the interview process from the Office of Veteran Employment Services. The veteran received a job offer earning $44,616.00 per year as an Assistant Machine Operator.
• A homeless veteran was working with the Office of Veteran Employment Services and received career services including resume development, interviewing skills, and job search techniques. The veteran used those skills to gain employment as a Veteran Service Representative earning $43,000.00 annually.
• A service-connected disabled veteran was provided career services from the Office of Veteran Employment Services. The veteran applied for several positions and gained employment as an Office Assistant – Advanced earning $41,600.00 annually.
• A low-income veteran was provided several career services while on case management with the Office of Veteran Employment Services staff. The veteran applied and interviewed for numerous positions and was offered a position as an Intake Assessor earning $39,520.00 per year.
• A transitioning service member was provided initial assessment, career guidance, case management, job referrals, resume development, and employment search services. The veteran obtained employment as a Medical Provider Education Specialist earning $17.00 per hour.
• A service-connected veteran worked with the Office of Veteran Employment Services staff and gained employment as a Grounds Keeper earning $13.07 per hour. The veteran's employment began on Monday, March 4, 2019.
• A service-connected disabled veteran has been working with the Office of Veteran Employment staff since October 2018. After consistent guidance from the Veteran Outreach Program Specialist, the veteran was hired as a Parks & Recreation Specialist earning $12.00/hour. The veteran is very happy to have found something so close to home in a rural community and to be doing something enjoyable.
• A service-connected disabled veteran was case managed and received several career planning services including resume development. The veteran made many resume revisions to translate military jargon and skills to "civilian-friendly" terminology. The veteran used this resume to apply for several open positions and was able to secure a job as an Implementation Consultant earning $110,000.00 annually.
• A service-connected disabled veteran enrolled in the Vocational Rehabilitation/Chapter 31 veteran found employment as a Veterans Benefits Coordinator earning $51,000.00 per year. The veteran obtained this position after receiving assistance from the Office of Veteran Employment Services staff who provided the veteran with numerous case-managed career assistance services.
• A service-connected disabled veteran received support from the Office of Veteran Employment staff after experiencing long term unemployment. The veteran has been hired as Legal Instrument Examiner earning $47,000.00 a year beginning April 1, 2019.
• A veteran enrolled in the Homeless Veteran Rehabilitation Program (HVRP) was provided career services assistance by Office of Veteran Employment Services team members. The veteran was hired as a Maintenance Mechanic with an annual salary of $40,000.00.
• A veteran worked with the Office of Veteran Employment Services to overcame homelessness and attended Job Club workshops. The veteran gained employment as a Welder earning $36,000.00 annually, employment began on March 11, 2019.
• A service-connected disabled veteran who was enrolled in the Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation program worked with Office of Veteran Employment Services staff on numerous career services. The veteran gained employment as a Mental Health Professional- SAIL with a starting wage of $35,360.00 annually.
• A service-connected disabled veteran received assistance from Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist staff with resume development and interviewing techniques. The veteran began full time employment as a Maintenance Technician earning an annual salary of $35,000.00 with an increase of $1.00 per hour following the first 30 days of employment.
• A highly skilled veteran who overcame homelessness through the Homeless Veteran Rehabilitation Program, received assisting with resume revisions and improved interviewing skills while working with the Office of Veteran Employment staff. The veteran immediately began applying for work and has been hired as a Finisher earning $34,000.00 annually.
• While working with the Office of Veteran Employment Services team, a service-connected disabled veteran accepted an Onion Separator position earning $16.00 per hour working 12-hour days 3 to 4 days per week. Full benefits are included after probationary period.
• A low-income veteran received career planning services from the Office of Veteran Employment Services leading to the veteran accepting a position as a Data Entry Clerk with a starting wage of $14.53 per hour and an excellent benefit package which allows time for a work life balance.
• A service-connected disabled veteran who was enrolled in the Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation program obtained a master's degree in the field of Counseling. The veteran was provided with an Individual Employment Plan (IEP), comprehensive assessment, career guidance, and general information pertaining employment services. The veteran gained employment as a substitute teacher / Counselor (Social Emotional Learning Teacher) earning $110 per day. The veteran will be placed on 60-day follow-up to confirm rehabilitation status.
• A veteran with significant barriers to employment due to a service-connected disability received assistance from the Office of Veteran Employment Services staff using numerous career planning management tools. The veteran used those job seeking tools to find employment as a Manager/Technician at a transportation company. The veteran's salary based on Labor Market Information/Analysis is roughly $60,000.00 annually with medical/dental benefits.
• A disable service-connected veteran was provided career planning services by the Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist including career guidance, resume development, and interviewing techniques. The veteran was very excited to receive a job offer with a local police department as a Police Officer earning $51,000.00 per year.
• A low-income veteran received intensive services that provided numerous career planning services and tools to make the veteran job-ready. Using those tools, the veteran was able to secure a position as a Bus Driver earning $39,228.80 per year.
• A Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist (DVOP) delivered intensive career planning services to a service-connected disabled veteran that allowed the veteran to find employment as a Production Worker earning $37,440 annually. The DVOP provided the veteran with a comprehensive assessment, career guidance, and resume development among other services.
• A homeless veteran received assistance from the Office of Veteran Employment Services (OVES) team and partnering agency Center for Veteran Issues (CVI) to find employment and housing. OVES team members worked with the veteran using career planning services to secure a position as a Welder. The veteran's salary is $36,000.00 annually.
• A service-connected disabled veteran was provided case management services that allowed the veteran to create an effective resume for the industry to which the veteran was applying for employment. The Local Veteran Employment Representatives were able to work together across district lines to identify a company with a position the matched the veteran's skills. The Office of Veteran Employment Services team collaborated to assist the veteran in obtaining a position as a Quality Control Lab Manager earning $35,360.00 a year. This opportunity will offer the possibility for advancement within the company.
• The Office of Veteran Employment Services worked with a service-connected disabled veteran providing resume assistance and coaching on interview processes. The veteran participated in several interviews and received a job offer as a Department Supervisor (Lumber yard) earning $33,280.00 per year.
• A low-income veteran was pursuing the opportunity for culinary training and a cooking position. The Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist (DVOP) provided appropriate career services and referral services to partnering agencies for training. The DVOP then assisted the veteran in applying for cooking positions. The veteran gained employment as a Production Kitchen Cook earning $28,000.00 annually.
• A recently incarcerated, turned homeless veteran and spouse were living in a homeless shelter. After attending a job fair at a local Job Center, they were introduced to the Office of Veteran Employment Services staff. The Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist provided intensive career services and the Local Veteran Employment Representative immediately skill-matched the veteran with two companies that provided him job offers. The veteran accepted an offer as a Property Manager earning $18,000.00 annually that includes a free three-bedroom apartment with all utilities paid.
• A veteran who recently separated from active duty service and became homeless worked with the Office of Veteran Employment Services (OVES). OVES staff developed a comprehensive employment plan with emphasis on developing an effective resume; uploading documents on JobCenterofWisconsin.com for participation in the non- competitive appointment process for Wisconsin State Government jobs; and referred the veteran to the County Veteran Service Office for assistance in filing Veteran Affairs education and compensation claims. The Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist met with the veteran consistently and provided job leads for positions that matched the veteran's skills and experience. The veteran accepted a position as a full time Behavioral Health Technician earning $11.00 per hour.