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Veterans on Campus- An Eclectic Variety of Persons

According to the National Education Association, veterans on campus are an eclectic and diverse bunch, making uniform statements on veterans experience on campus difficult. Furthermore, 47 percent of veterans are married upon entering college, ensuring that their experience will differ vastly from a typical undergraduate. The source noted that fellow students should avoid asking offensive questions related to the war, as a civilian may think the battlefield is an acceptable topic for conversation, while a typical veteran will probably not want to dredge up the recent past. The source noted that this same principle applies to political statements related to the military, as they may prick the feelings of a nearby veteran. As thousands of soldiers have used the GI Bill to pursue an education, this a great point to keep in mind.

Ways Veterans Can Integrate into Campus Life

According to Military.com, there are various ways a veteran on campus can get involved in campus activities, meeting friends and professors who share similar interests. The majority of veterans, about 47 percent, obtain a bachelor’s degree, but smaller segments of veterans also pursue associate’s and master’s degrees. A veterans level of involvement will probably depend on time spent on campus, with the smallest level of involvement available through events like one day service trips, according to the source. If the veteran is satisfied with this, a move up to a semester-long commitment may be in order. An example of this could be joining a pep band if a veteran is a passionate instrumentalist, while an artistically inclined veteran can seek out local art galleries and attempt to make a mark. The source noted the innumerable ways to get involved.

Typical Majors Veterans Pursue

CNN suggested a variety of jobs that are excellent for using the rigorous skills a veteran learned in the military. Unsurprisingly, the source noted that law-enforcement is a common avenue that is pursued by servicemembers in life after military. CNN noted that a security manager is suited to the particular set of skills needed to succeed in the military. Another option for military men and women is the lucrative field of analytics. According the source, a senior policy analyst helps craft policies that affect an entire company. For a veteran, who may have commanded entire battalions during time in the military, this could present an easy shift. Making fast decisions can bring the fast paced and forthright life of a military policy maker to the equally competitive business world, creating a civilian role that a veteran can flourish in.

This information can be a helpful primer for a returning veteran, allowing insightful decisions to be made regarding what to pursue in post-military-life.