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!

September 2019

• A service-connected disabled veteran worked with the staff from the Office of Veteran Employment Services and received resume development and job referrals. The veteran accepted an offer as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor earning $77,000.00 per year.
• A service-connected disabled veteran worked with a local Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist who provided career guidance and planning, resume development and job referrals. The veteran used that guidance to secure a position as a CNC Machine Operator earning $66,560.00 per year.
• A service-connected disabled veteran received resume and job lead assistance from the Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist. The veteran was seeking more suitable employment based on their current position that was aggravating their disability. The veteran accepted a position as an Operations Manager earning $55,000.00 plus additional benefits.
• A low-income veteran worked with a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist to develop a resume and job searching methods. The veteran applied for several positions and accepted an offer as a Truck Driver with a starting salary of $36,600.00 annually.
• A service-connected disabled veteran received assistance with resume development and job leads and referrals. The veteran secured a position as a Dental Assistant at a rate of $15.50 per hour.
• A previously incarcerated veteran received assistance with resume development, job leads and referrals and career counseling. The veteran secured a position as a Van Driver at a rate of $15.00 per hour.
• A veteran between 18 and 24 years old received guidance from the Office of Veteran Employment Services staff with resume development and assistance with finding employment using job center resources. The veteran accepted an offer as a Machine Operator earning $31,200.00 per year.
• A Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist assisted a Vietnam-era and low-income veteran by creating a resume to showcase their experience in customer service and finding a position that would accommodate their physical limitations. The veteran applied for several positions and accepted employment as a Driver earning $15.00 per hour.
• A low-income veteran received career planning services from the Office of Veteran Employment Services staff where they gained employment as a Customer Service Specialist with a starting wage of $9.50 per hour with an increase in hourly wage after probationary period.
• A veteran at risk of homelessness was provided a host of career services and was referred to Vets Net for assistance and other federal/state/county support programs. The veteran used the resources gained to apply for several positions and was hired as a Senior Revenue Cycle Analyst earning $83,000.00 annually.
• A serviced-connected disabled veteran was case managed by a local Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist who provided resume development, and state job non-compete referral to WI DOA. The veteran was selected for a Network Support Specialist earning an annual salary of $72,800.00 with full benefits.
• A Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist provided career services to a veteran who was unemployed for more than 27 weeks. The veteran received job search tips, resume development assistance, interview preparation, job leads and referrals to other resources. Due to the services and guidance received, the veteran was able to secure a federal position as an Administrative Technician starting at $53,000 annually.
• A Vietnam-Era veteran with a service-connected disability worked with a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist to complete a federal, state and standard resume and applied for veteran non-competitive positions in the teaching job sector. After 10 months and 16 interviews, the veteran was offered and accepted a position as an Adult Education Teacher earning $45,968 per year with full-benefits, plus supplemental (add-on) pay adjustments for additional credits relevant to the filled certified position(s).
• A veteran overcame homelessness through collaborative efforts of the Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist and Center for Veteran Issues staff; where they were able to enhance the veteran's resume and interviewing skills. The veteran was hired as a Welder earning $43,000.00 per year.
• A service-connected disabled veteran received assistance from the Office of Veteran Employment Services team who submitted the veteran for a federal position under the federal non-compete employment program. The veteran was hired as a Legal Instrument Examiner under the federal pay schedule for a GS-7/ $43,000.00 per year with locality pay.
• A service-connected disabled veteran worked with a Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialist that provided comprehensive employment services to include skill-marketing for a federal position. The veteran received an offer and accepted a position as a Claims Specialist with a starting salary of $42,053.00 and full benefit package.
• A service-connected disabled veteran worked with the staff from the Office of Veteran Employment Services and received resume development, computer assistance and job referrals. The veteran accepted an offer as a Maintenance Manager earning $39,500 annually.
• A service-connected disabled veteran received career employment services that included a comprehensive employment assessment, resume development, job leads and career guidance. The veteran enhanced their employment search skills, learned to apply for positions independently and was hired as a Forklift Driver and Mechanic with a starting wage of $18.00 an hour.
• The Office of Veteran Employment Services staff assisted a service-connected disabled veteran to find employment as an Applicator through career guidance and case management services that included resume development and job referrals. The veteran obtained full-time employment at an annual wage of $35,300.00 plus overtime, a clothing allowance and full benefits.
• A transitioning service-member worked with the staff from the Office of Veteran Employment Services and received resume development and job referrals. The veteran accepted an offer as a General Laborer earning $35,000.00 per year.
• A Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist met with a service-connected disabled veteran. After matching their career experience and listening to a variety of the veteran's career interest, the veteran and DVOP create a career plan that would lead to the veteran becoming a Union Pipefitter. The veteran was hired as a full-time Pipe Fitter Pre-Apprentice earning $16.30 per hour with full-benefits and 401k.
• A low-income veteran who learned to develop a resume and improve their interviewing skills, while working with a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist. They found employment as a warehouse worker earning $31,200.00 annually.
• A homeless veteran received employment assistance from the Office of Veteran Employment Services and the Center of Veteran Issues to secure housing and employment as a Forklift Driver earning $26,520.00 annually.
• A transitioning service-member worked with a local Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist who provided a comprehensive assessment, career guidance, job referrals, resume creation and employment search assistance. The veteran gained employment as a Finance Supervisor earning $62,000.00 per year.
• A veteran overcame homelessness through collaboration with the Office of Veteran Employment Services and the staff from Center for Veteran Issues to gain employment as a Laborer earning $41,000.00 annually. The veteran was also provided essential tools and clothing for their new position.
• A service-connected special disabled veteran accepted a position as an Office Supervisor earning $18.50 per hour. The veteran was assisted with job development, referrals, a mock interview and resume critiquing from the Office of Veteran Employment Services staff. Additionally, the veteran was referred to service organizations to assist with other critical needs.
• A service-connected disabled veteran worked with the staff from the Office of Veteran Employment Services and received resume development and job referrals. The veteran accepted an offer as a Sales Representative earning a base salary of $25,000.00 per year plus 5% on all commissions.
• A service-connected disabled veteran received assistance with resume development, job leads and support in applying for positions. Through help they were accepted into the Hire Heroes: Transitional Jobs for Veterans program. The veteran received employment assistance from the Office of Veteran Employment Services staff to gain a position as a Builder/Carpenter Production Technician- Generator Crew earning $21.00 per hour. The company will take advantage of the special program benefits due to the veteran hire as well.
• A service-connected disabled veteran participating in the VA Vocational Rehabilitation/Chapter 31 program began employment as a Loan Officer earning $17.00 per hour. The veteran was assisted by a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist who provided job development with the federal government, resume review and referrals to the DWD career counselor.
• A low-income veteran gained employment as a part-time Fund Raiser at the pay of $14.00 per hour to supplement their income. The Office of Veteran Employment Services staff assisted the veteran with resume development, mock interviewing, referral to employers and job growth.