In an effort to lower veteran unemployment rates, 50 U.S. schools are taking part in Veteran's Upward Bound, a program run by the U.S. Department of Education. The program aims to help veterans receive a degree to improve life after service. According to the DOE, the Upward Bound curriculum encompasses everything from laboratory sciences, to foreign languages, to refresher courses for vets who need remedial assistance with the goal of having more veterans be college graduates with applicable skills for today's competitive job market.
The program makes a point to target low-income students who would otherwise be at risk for never receiving a degree. In fact, the DOE has mandated that two-thirds of participants in Veteran's Upward Bound are described as low-income and first-generation postsecondary students.
The DOE noted that vets enrolled in the program will gain instruction on how to apply for and take advantage of services through Veteran Affairs. Military Times noted that Upward Bound also helps vets with interview techniques and resume building to put them on the fast track to a stable career.
Upward Bound in action
According to Military Times, a shining example of Upward Bound's mission can be seen in the program at Western Kentucky University. Currently, 128 veterans are enrolled, up from 99 in the 2008-2009 school year. Kentucky is home to over 2,000 young veterans, and WKU hopes to help them prepare for the future through this innovative organization.
Bob Wilson is a chairman of the Southcentral Kentucky Community Blueprint Program, a group that gives support to veterans. He told Military Times that Upward Bound has been helpful in giving Kentucky veterans a guide for adapting to civilian life – something that was missing. Wilson told Military Times about how the program offered direction to former Marine and Afghanistan veteran David Jones. Jones left the service without even a basic resume, but through the help of Veteran's Upward Bound he is studying to be a trauma nurse.