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!

June 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 Desktop Support Personnel Specialist earning $58,500.00 per year.
• A service-connected disabled veteran was provided career planning services by the Office of Veteran Employment Services, which led to the veteran securing a professional position as a Maintenance Manager with a starting annual salary of $55,000.00 and a full benefit package following probation.
• A service-connected disabled veteran participating in the VA Vocational Rehabilitation/Chapter 31 program received career planning assistance from the Office of Veteran Employment Services. The veteran applied to several positions and accepted a position as a County Veterans Service Officer earning $50,000.00 annually.
• A service-connected disabled veteran who completed the VA Vocational Rehabilitation/Chapter 31 program and received employment guidance from the Office of Veteran Employment Services staff gained a professional position as an Adjudicator with a starting annual salary of $44,000.00.
• A recently released incarcerated and homeless 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 Laborer with a starting salary of $41,600.00 per year.
• A service-connected disabled veteran received guidance from a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist to enroll in the Veterans in Piping program and was subsequently hired as a Pipefitter/Steamfitter Apprentice with a starting annual salary of $40,860.00.
• A veteran who overcame homelessness through a collaborative effort from the Office of Veteran Employment Services and the Center for Veteran Issues staff was hired as an Electrician earning $40,000.00 annually. The veteran received a full complement of career planning services, which led to their employment and housing.
• A serviced-connected disabled veteran who has completed the VA Vocational Rehabilitation/ Chapter 31 program worked with the Office of Veteran Employment Services staff to find employment through the career planning process. The veteran secured employment as a Roofer earning $38,500.00 annually.
• A homeless veteran received assistance from the Office of Veteran Employment Services and the Center of Veteran Issues to secure housing and employment as an IT Technician earning $37,400.00 annually. The veteran will be eligible to transfer into the Audio-Visual Department after completing 90 days of employment per HR Manager, which is the veteran's career goal.
• A service-connected disabled veteran enhanced their customer service skills after receiving employment preparation guidance from a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist and Center for Veteran Issues staff member. The veteran gained employment as a Personal Banker earning $35,000.00 annually.
• A service-connected disabled veteran who learned to develop a resume and improve their interviewing skills, while working with a Disabled Outreach Program Specialist, found employment as a Machine Operator earning $32,000.00 annually.
• A homeless veteran, who was a participant in the Center for Veteran Issues housing program, used techniques learned during the career planning process provided by the Office of Veteran Employment Services staff to obtain employment as a Lube Technician earning $30,000.00 annually.
• A service-connect disabled veteran who completed the VA Vocational Rehabilitation/Chapter-31 program gained employment as a Set-Up Operator with a starting wage of $15.98 per hour plus $1.00/hour shift differential and a full benefit package following probation.
• A Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist assisted a resident of the Homeless Veterans Assistance Program in finding full-time employment as an Internet Auctioneer earning $14.00 per hour. With this new position, the veteran has acquired necessary financial assistance and moved out of the veteran facility into their own personal community residence.
• A homeless veteran who was a participant in the Homeless Veterans Assistance Program acquired full-time employment as a General Laborer earning $12.50 per hour. The veteran used the guidance received by the Office of Veteran Employment services staff and assistance from the veteran housing program to move into a personal community residence.
• A Disabled Outreach Program Specialist assisted a service-connected disabled veteran who is participating in the VA Vocational Rehabilitation /Chapter 31 program in finding a position as a Part-time Teachers Aide Volunteer in the Welding program at a local Technical College.
• A veteran who was medically discharged from military service obtained employment as a Technical Writer earning $83,000.00 per year. The Office of Veteran Employment Services staff assisted the veteran with career planning, comprehensive assessment, an Individual Employment Plan, and job referrals.
• A service-connected disabled veteran worked with the staff from the Office of Veteran Employment Services and received resume development and job referrals services. The veteran accepted an offer as an Electrical Engineer earning $75,000.00 per year.
• A recently discharged veteran within the past three years, who has been unemployed for more than 27 weeks, worked with the Office of Veteran Employment Services staff, which assisted the veteran with job development, referral to employers, and mock interviews. The veteran accepted an offer as an Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Instructor earning $65,000.00 per year.
• A previously incarcerated and homeless veteran was assisted with job search techniques and placement by the Office of Veteran Employment staff. The veteran gained full time employment as a Production Assembly and Shipping Specialist earning $15.25 per hour with shift differential and company benefits package.
• A recently discharged veteran within the past three years who has been unemployed for more than 27 weeks was offered a position as a Crew Chief with a veteran-owned company earning $15.00 per hour. This position was gained because of job development through the Office of Veteran Employment Services staff.
• A Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist provided employment services to a service-connected disabled veteran resulting in the veteran gaining employment as a General Laborer earning $12.85 per hour with expectation of wage increase.
• A service-connected disabled veteran who was homeless and unemployed worked with a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist that assisted the veteran with job applications and interviewing skills. The veteran was offered a Property Manager position with compensation that includes a 2-bedroom apartment and all utilities along with a $1,200 per month salary. The veteran was interviewed on 05/31/2019, was offered the position on 06/03/2019, and was able to move in on 06/05/2019. Homelessness – Solved and Unemployment – Solved
• A low-income veteran worked with the Office of Veteran Employment Services staff who provided the veteran with a full complement of career planning services, which led to the veteran gaining employment as a Security Officer earning $11.00 per hour.
• A veteran participating in the Chapter 31 /Vocational Rehabilitation program developed a career plan with the Office of Veteran Employment Services who assisted with resume development, interviewing practice and coordination of an interview. The veteran accepted a position as a Structural Engineer with a starting salary of $65,400.00 annually.
• A service-connected disabled veteran was referred to several employers by the Local Veteran Employment Representative, after they completed a comprehensive assessment by the Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist. The veteran accepted a position as a Security Lead Worker earning $19.00 per hour.
• A service-connected disabled veteran worked with the Office of Veteran Employment Services (OVES) and WRTP/ Big Step to take steps to complete a Heavy Equipment Operator Certification. The veteran was referred to several construction companies by OVES staff and accepted an offer as a Heavy Equipment Operator Apprentice under the WI Operating Engineers. The veteran's rate of pay is $18.00 per hour plus prevailing wage benefits.
• A service-connected disabled veteran worked with staff from the Office of Veteran Employment Services and received resume development and job referrals. The veteran accepted an offer as a Personal Banking Associate earning $34,500.00 per year.
• A service-connected disabled veteran held a Pizza Delivery Driver position for several years but desired a career in Marketing. The veteran completed career planning steps to transition into a job that matched their education, experience, and skills with the guidance of the Office of Veteran Employment Services staff. The veteran secured employment as a Photographer/Marketing Specialist earning $31,000.00 annually with opportunities for advancement.
• A low-income and at risk of being homeless veteran secured employment as a Waste Disposal Specialist earning $14.50 per hour. This was a direct result of a Local Veteran Employment Representative skill-marketing the veteran and coordinating an interview with the employer. The veteran interviewed and was hired on the spot the following day.
• A low-income veteran, who recently earned an Associates Degree as a Pharmacy Technician, received resume development, interviewing techniques, and job searching assistance from the Office of Veteran Employment staff. The veteran was hired as a Pharmacy Technician on a part-time, flexible schedule earning $12.65 per hour with a pay increase to $13.50 per hour after 6 months.
• A previously incarcerated veteran received career planning skills and guidance from a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist, which assisted the veteran in finding employment as a Press Operator earning $13.00 per hour.
• A Disabled Outreach Program Specialist provided career planning services to a previously incarcerated veteran who was homeless. The veteran was provided guidance on job searching, resume development, interview preparation, and referral to partnering agencies to find housing. The veteran gained employment as a General Laborer starting at $12.50 per hour.
• A service-connected disabled veteran received resume development suggestions and referrals to several employers by the Office of Veteran Employment Services staff. The veteran agreed to terms for employment as a Senior Executive earning $130,000.00 annually.
• A previously incarcerated veteran was given a comprehensive assessment, career guidance, job referrals, and resume writing tips from a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist. The veteran found employment as a Mail Hauler earning $40,000.00 per year using the skills learned from the DVOP.
• A service-connected disabled veteran worked with staff from the Office of Veteran Employment Services and received resume development techniques and numerous job referrals. The veteran accepted an offer as a Dishwasher earning $22,880.00 per year.