Vet Connect Newsletter

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Job Connect Newsletter
 

December 07, 2012

blue pearl harbor

In this issue...


Google Creates a One-Stop Job Hub For Veterans

Last week Google launched a comprehensive new website to connect veterans and their spouses with employers. Dubbed VetNet, the site is intended to make the search for employment easier.  In developing the new resource for veterans, Google partnered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and its Hiring Our Heroes program, the Institute for Veterans and Military Families, and Hire Our Heroes USA.

"Through VetNet, these founding partners offer a full spectrum of employment resources for members of the community," said Andy Berndt of Google's Creative Lab. "Whether starting a job search from scratch, looking for mentors in a specific industry or starting a business, transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses will be able to connect with career services, job opportunities and each other."

VetNet

To access VetNet, sign on to Google+ at http://www.vetnethq.com/  All content and resources are organized into three tracks by objective, each hosted on its own Google+ page.

  • Basic Training Track (google.com/+VetNetBasic): The place to start. From resumes to interviewing tips to advice from buddies.
  • Career Connections Track (google.com/+VetNetCareer): Walmart, GE and Capital One are just a few of the companies that are participating in VetNet to help veterans and military spouses find civilian careers.
  • Entrepreneur Track (google.com/+VetNetEntrepreneur): An 8-week college-level course on the fundamentals of starting a business on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

For more information and a video introducing VetNet, click here

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Make it Count: Earn College Credit for Your Military Experience

ACE

Would you like to earn college credit for the skills you've acquired through your military service?  As a veteran, your training and experience can translate into transferable credits you can apply toward a college degree or certificate.  More than 2,300 colleges and universities nationwide recognize military training and experience for applicable credit recommendation.  To learn how to have your training and skills evaluated for college credit, see the American Council on Education (ACE) publication A Transfer Guide: Understanding Your Military Transcript and ACE Credit Recommendations.

ACE offers other valuable resources for military students and veterans on their website, including information on educational support and assistance for severely injured military veterans and a toolkit for veteran-friendly educational institutions. 

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Free Tickets to Little Caesars Pizza Bowl

Caesars

Are you ready for some football? All our rowdy friends will be there!

Little Ceasars Pizza is once again offering free tickets for the Little Ceasars Pizza Bowl 2012 to military, TACOM, reserve, guard support civilians, recruiters, veterans and their families. The game between Western Kentucky and Central Michigan University will take place at Ford Field in Detroit on Wednesday, December 26 at 7:30 p.m.

To request your tickets, send an email to Greg Hacias, Vice President of the Bowl and President of Netlink at ghacias@netlink.com. Greg will try to accommodate all requests. Tickets must be picked up at Ford Field.

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Spotlight on Local Veteran Employment Specialist Scott Hamel

Profiles of the men and women of the Veterans' Services Division of the state of Michigan's Workforce Development Agency, working every day to help veterans find employment and Michigan employers acquire the talent they need to grow and thrive.

Having been born an "Army Brat”, I have lived all over the world.  My father, SFC Yves Hamel, U.S. ARMY and Michigan Veterans' Services Division Retired, explained to me that I had received a “cultured education” much greater than most. But to this day, I owe the honor, loyalty, and values that were instilled throughout my upbringing to that certain way of life.

Calling South Branch, Michigan my home, I was born on March 16, 1971 at Fort Benning, Georgia. I attended Ogemaw Heights High School and received a GED in 1988. I volunteered for military service and entered active duty in the United States Army as a Private at the age of 17. My first report was to the Military Entrance Processing Station in Detroit, Michigan on January 25, 1989. I completed Basic Combat Training at Ft. Benning, Georgia, followed by Advanced Individual Training (AIT) for Mechanized Infantry with an emphasis in Bradley Fighting Vehicle Driver’s Training. For serving during this war-time period, I was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.  Continue reading Scott's story...

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Hamel

Hiring Our Heroes - Mark Your Calendar

HOH

In March of 2011, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's National Chamber Foundation launched Hiring Our Heroes, a nationwide initiative to help veterans and military spouses find meaningful employment.  Hiring Our Heroes has hosted more than 365 hiring fairs around the country and helped more than 14,100 veterans find jobs.

The organization expanded their efforts in 2012 with a goal of hosting hiring fairs in 400 communities, the establishment of a stand-alone program for military spouses, and a sustained campaign to enlist commitments from the small business community to hire veterans and military spouses by the end of 2014.

Hiring Our Heroes is coming to the following Michigan communities in 2013:

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Helping Our Heroes

Stories of Michigan's military veterans and the people dedicated to their success.

Krystiana2

Krystiana Hoehn is a Post 911 Gold Card Adult WIA enrollee. She is a full-time student at NMU majoring in Clinical Laboratory Science, concentrating in Diagnostic Genetics.  Krystiana discovered the many services available to veterans through the Michigan Works! Agency (MWA) system. At her local MWA Service Center in Marquette, she took advantage of the staff's expertise and willingness to work with her on her applications to build her confidence.

The staff at Michigan Works were so friendly and helped me create an outstanding resume to give to prospective employers. They as well as the Veteran Administrative staff looked over my government applications and made me aware of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit which was a very appealing incentive for future employers. They kept in touch with me and gave me confidence whenever I said I had an interview coming up. Because of their caring and willingness to help, I found myself working at a successful land appraisal company where I can use my creativity and attention to detail to its fullest potential.  I love it!”

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News for Vets

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Connect With Other Vets

Thank you for your service to this great country.  Are you part of Michigan Veterans' Services Division Facebook family?  You'll find a wealth of information and camaraderie on our page.

Check it out and become an active member by clicking 'like'. --------->>

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