Author: USVM Editor

October marks the start of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a time that raises awareness on disability employment. People with disabilities have always had a harder time obtaining work, mostly due to preconceived notions of their capabilities and unconscious bias.While 2023 saw the highest rate of disability employment in history—averaging at about 37%—there is still so much work to be done to further inclusion and independence opportunities for the community. This year’s NDEAM theme, “Access and Good Jobs for All” will be focusing on this idea—promoting fair access to well-paying jobs for people with disabilities to further raise these…

By Dr. Katie Cagle-Holtcamp    His heart races as Jason (name changed for anonymity) puts his foot in the stirrup and swings his leg over the saddle. He’s never ridden a horse before, but that’s not the issue. Extreme anxiety has become a normal part of everyday life ever since he returned from deployment. He’s constantly on edge, can’t sleep and his mind races. The only thing that seems to help is alcohol, but that’s become habitual and unsustainable.Today, he’s looking for a fresh start. As part of his addiction treatment, Jason is participating in a special program that combines therapist-led…

According to the Harvard Business Review, nearly 50 million Americans quit their jobs or changed careers in 2021. Of employed adults 18 and older, more than 60% changed their fields entirely to try something new.There are still many out there today attempting to make a career change for a variety of reasons. If you’re one of them, Ticket to Work offers some of the best ways to get started:Identify Your WhyWhen switching or exploring new careers, ask yourself why you want to do so in the first place. Perhaps you want to learn new skills, increase your earnings or have…

By Mark Robbins     A Marine lost both hands and still wanted to ride a bicycle, but his prosthetic hands made it difficult for him to shift gears. He later received a new device that allowed him to give a command to a microphone that he was wearing, and the gears shifted up or down as needed.A Soldier was blinded while on patrol and wanted to continue skiing after leaving the military. Instead of being tethered to a rope or having a guide yell instructions on a noisy ski slope, a special vest was made with vibrating discs controlled by a…

Let’s be honest—if you’re applying for a job, you’re probably not the only person qualified for the position. How can you stand out among the competition before an employer even gets to meet you? One technique you can use to your advantage is to write an attention-grabbing cover letter. Ticket to Work reports that a  cover letter is a one-page document that introduces you to a potential employer. Your resume describes the facts of your work experience (either paid or volunteer work), while your cover letter gives the hiring manager some insight into your personality.While your resume tells what you did, the cover…

You seek the honor of service — protecting America and helping make the world a safer place. You’ll find it at Leidos, a company that has been tackling some of our nation’s biggest problems for over 50 years. Operation MVP is our company-wide initiative to hire and support military veterans and spouses.We’re hiring innovative professionals for engineering, IT, cyber, and healthcare opportunities. Nearly 20% of our employees are military veterans or spouses – join us and together, we can solve some of the world’s most vexing challenges.Thousands of veterans and military spouses have joined Leidos to support vital missions for…

In a new study conducted by Handshake, a recruiting and networking software provider for students, college graduates are turning to federal jobs now more than ever.The newest survey found that 7.5% of job applications from the class of 2024 have been submitted to government positions—a 2% increase from the class of 2023.Federal jobs have not only become plentiful in the last year, increasing by 25%, but meet many of the requirements that recent graduates have for their future place of employment.When asked about what qualities made the 2024 applicants want to apply for a job, their top priorities were:Job stability…

The Department of Veterans Affairs provides benefits and services to meet the needs of veterans and service members. While many VA programs are designed to serve veterans, particularly disabled veterans, VA services are not limited to those who have left the military.Military One Source reports if you are an active-duty disabled service member and need help covering the cost of school, securing a home loan or acquiring life insurance, or require medical care for your disability, the VA can help you and your family.Medical CareMore than 1,300 medical centers and clinics form the core of the VA’s services. In addition,…

How can you learn more about the ins and outs of a specific job? Consider an informational interview! Unlike a traditional job interview, an informational interview is a meeting that you set up with someone in a specific industry so you can learn more about that profession’s necessary education and expertise. Finding a contactFinding someone to talk to about their job and industry can be easy once you tap into your professional and personal networks. Reach out to family and friends,  a Ticket to Work service provider or your LinkedIn contacts to help you. Chances are, someone either knows or works…

VA home loans are designed to help service members and veterans achieve affordable homeownership, turning their aspirations into reality. Here are three key insights to help pave the way for a smooth and successful homebuying.Know the Benefits of VA LoansUnderstanding the benefits of VA loans is key to making informed decisions and maximizing your loan potential. VA loans offer veterans unique advantages such as no down payment requirement on home purchases, competitive interest rates, no monthly mortgage insurance premiums and more flexible credit guidelines. The lifetime entitlement feature further enhances the value, allowing veterans to use this benefit multiple times…