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!

May 2020

• A low-income, 30% service-connected disabled veteran who was at risk of homelessness received resume development and job search skills from a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist that lead to placement as a General Engineer making $100,000 per year.
• A veteran who was at risk of homelessness was able to maintain their housing through the efforts of Center for Veteran Issues and Office of Veteran Employment Services. The veteran was also assisted with updating their resume and job referrals. The veteran accepted an offer as an Electrician earning $95,000.00 per year.
• A service-connected disabled veteran who completed the VA Vocational Rehabilitation - Chapter 31 Program, received resume assistance and job search and employment guidance, the veteran found an opportunity providing job advancement as a Cook Supervisor Foreman with a starting salary of $64,000 annually.
• A veteran overcame homelessness through efforts from the Center for Veteran Issues and Office of Veteran Employment Services. The veteran redeveloped their resume, received numerous job referrals, and was hired as an HVAC Technician earning $52,000 per year.
• A recently separated veteran received resume assistance, job search, and employment guidance, from the Office of Veteran Employment Services staff. The veteran secured employment as an Electrician, with a starting wage of $49,900 annually.
• A service-connected disabled veteran has gained employment at a supply company earning $22.50 per hour. The veteran worked on resume development and interview skills with a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist. The Local Veteran Employment Representative was able to facilitate a direct referral.
• A service-connected disabled veteran who completed the VA Vocational Rehabilitation - Chapter 31 Program accepted a position as a Legal Instruments Examiner at a federal employee grade of GS-07 earning $45,000 per year after receiving career services from the Office of Veteran Employment Services staff.
• A Chapter 31, service-connected disabled veteran worked with the Office of Veteran Employment Services staff. The veteran received a full complement of career planning services and gained a professional position as an Instructor at Fort McCoy with a starting salary of $21.97 per hour.
• A homeless veteran received job search and employment guidance from the Office of Veteran Employment Services staff and secured employment as a Restoration Technician. The veteran's starting wage is $30,000.00 annually.
• A veteran that was previously incarcerated, low income, and homeless was assisted by the Office of Veteran Employment Services staff with resume development and job search skills leading to employment as an Assembler earning $17.00 per hour.
• A previously incarcerated, low income, and homeless veteran working with a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist was assisted with resume development and job search skills leading to placement as an Electronic Installer earning $15.00 per hour.
• A service-connected disabled veteran, that recently relocated to Wisconsin, worked with a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist on resume development, job search strategies, and an application for security licensure in Wisconsin. The veteran accepted a full-time Security Officer position making $14.50 per hour while they complete education relating to veteran's overall career goal.
• A veteran who was at risk of becoming homeless was assisted with updating their resume and was hired as a Sales Associate earning $14.50 per hour after receiving initialized career services from a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist.
• 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 Program Support Specialist earning $45,100.00 per year.
• A service-connected disabled veteran worked with Office of Veteran Employment Services and received help with resume development, job search techniques, and interviewing tips. The veteran was offered a position as a Legal Instrument Examiner starting at $45,119.00 annually.
• A homeless veteran who has a service-connected disability was provided gas and food cards and a housing referral to the Center for Veteran Issues and assistance completing a tailored resume by the Office of Veteran Employment Services Staff. The veteran was hired as a Baker earning $33,000.00 annually.
• A homeless veteran was working with the Office of Veteran Employment Services staff and received career services including resume development, interviewing skills, and job search techniques. The veteran used those skills to gain employment as a Floor Associate earning $31,000.00 annually.
• A service-connected disabled veteran who was at risk of being homeless met with a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist, completed resume development, received emergency funding from DAV for housing assistance, and was skill marketed by a Local Veteran Employment Representative. The veteran accepted a position as a Park Ranger with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for $22.00 per hour.
• A service-connected disabled veteran who was recently furloughed worked with a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist on interviewing skills and updating their resume. The veteran applied for and was hired as a local US Postal Worker earning $17.28 per hour.
• A service-connected disabled veteran that had recently left employment for another opportunity but was unable to begin due to the COVID-19 pandemic, worked with a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist on resume development, job search strategies, and local labor market. The veteran accepted a full-time Regional CDL OTR licensed driver position making approximately $67,000.00 annually.
• A service-connected disabled veteran who completed the VA Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation Program was provided services by the Office of Veteran Employment Services team. The veteran received career guidance, job referrals, federal resume creation, and employment search assistance resulting in a position as a Legal Instruments Examiner with an annual salary of $45,119.00 per year.
• A veteran who completed the VA Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation Program received support from a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist who aided with JCW registration, resume writing, interview skills, job leads, and referral to Local Veteran Employment Representative (LVER). The veteran completed a welding curriculum at a local technical college, referred to bridge manufacturer by the LVER, and was interviewed and hired as a Welder with a starting wage of $40,643 annually.
• A service-connected disabled veteran received assistance with job leads and resume development from the Office of Veteran Employment Services and other partner agencies. The veteran applied, interviewed, and accepted an offer as an Assembler earning $44,000.00 annually.
• A veteran who was recently released from incarceration was provided resume development guidance, job referral/development, and case management services by an Office of Veteran Employment Services (OVES) team member. The veteran used the resources provided by OVES staff to assist in gaining employment as a Machine Assistant with an annual salary of $24,000.00.
• 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 Sorter earning $32,000.00 annually.
• A low-income and service-connected disabled veteran worked with the Office of Veteran Employment Services staff who provided the veteran with a full complement of career planning service which led to the veteran obtaining a position as Medical Service Coordinator with a starting salary of $15.00/hr.
• A service-connected disabled veteran who completed the VA Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation program gained employment as an IT Help Desk Analyst earning $25.00 per hour. The veteran received Labor Market and Case Managed services from a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist as part of the Chapter 31 program. While working with a DVOP, the veteran received resume development assistance, interviewing skills, registration for non-competitive hiring programs, and job application assistance. LVER contacted employer and promoted veteran hiring.
• A service-connected disabled veteran, who was seeking housing assistance, was provided help from a Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialist who assisted the veteran with multiple career services after being laid off from a manufacturing position. The veteran was also assisted with obtaining their CDL license recertification and gaining employment as a Regional Truck Driver earning $.45 per mile with consistent driving routes.
• A service-connected disabled veteran was provided career services from the Office of Veteran Employment Services. The veteran was offered a position as a Heavy Equipment Operator making $99,000.00 per year.
• A service-connected disabled veteran worked with a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist who assisted with employment coaching and job search skills leading to placement as Robotics Engineer earning $87,000.00 per year.
• A service-connected disabled veteran with severe barriers to employment was hired for a position as a full time Security Guard (Quarantine / Security Officer) with a starting pay rate of $53,000.000 annually. The veteran received assistance from a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist with career services, resume assistance, job search assistance, and job referrals.
• A transitioning servicemember who was case managed by an Office of Veteran Employment Services team member received career guidance, job referrals/development, and employment search assistance. The veteran applied for and was offered a position as a Care Coordinator earning $42,000.00 per year.
• A homeless veteran was working with the Office of Veteran Employment Services staff and received career services including resume development, interviewing skills, and job search techniques. The veteran used those skills to gain employment as an Electrical Repairman earning $48,000.00 annually.
• A homeless veteran was working with the Office of Veteran Employment Services and received career services including resume development, interviewing skills, and job search techniques. The veteran used those skills to gain employment as a Medical Technician earning $40,000.00 annually.
• A veteran recently released from incarceration worked with the staff from the Office of Veteran Employment Services and received resume development, interviewing assistance, and assistance finding and applying for jobs. The veteran accepted an offer as a General Laborer/Secondary Machine Operator.
• A Vietnam Era veteran worked with staff from the Office of Veteran Employment Services and received resume development and job referrals. The veteran gained employment as a Driver earning $10.00 per hour.
• A service-connected disabled veteran met with a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist and completed an Individual Employment Plan, resume development, and job development with the Local Veteran Employment Representative. The veteran accepted an offer for $80,000.00 per year as an IT Manager.
• A service-connected disabled veteran, who completed the VA Vocational Rehabilitation/ Chapter 31 program in May 2020 with a degree in Corrections and Community Advocacy, received individualized career services from a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist. The veteran was hired as a Peer Support Specialist with a start date of 05/26/2020 and a starting wage $53,000 per year.
• A homeless veteran worked with the Office of Veteran Employment Services and received career services to include resume development, interviewing skills, and job search techniques. The veteran used those skills to gain employment as a Counselor II earning $40,000.00 annually.
• A recently released incarcerated 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 Maintenance Technician with a starting salary of $43,680.00 per year.
• A homeless veteran was working with the Office of Veteran Employment Services and received career services that included resume development, interviewing skills, and job search techniques. The veteran used those skills to gain employment as a security officer earning $37,000.00 annually.
• A low-income veteran at risk for homelessness worked with the staff from the Office of Veteran Employment Services. The veteran received assistance with resume development, job development, and job referrals. The veteran accepted an offer as a fulltime Administrative Assistant earning $25,000.00 annually.
• A service-connected disabled veteran met with a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist and completed an employment plan and resume development. The veteran accepted a position as a Property Manager earning $18.00 per hour.
• A service-connected disabled veteran worked with the Office of Veteran Employment Services staff who provided the veteran with full complement of career planning services, gained a professional position as Mechanic and Lumber Yard Assistant, with a starting salary of $14 per hour.
• A service-connected disabled veteran who completed the VA Vocational Rehabilitation/Chapter 31 program was hired as a Memory Care Activities Assistant at a Senior Living Facility. This is a Part-time position which the veteran specifically wanted to feel safe during the COVID 19 Pandemic. This position will pay $15.00 per hour and includes some benefits. The veteran received services through the Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist such as resume development, mock interview skills, and job leads.
• A service-connected disabled veteran was hired as a Cement Truck Driver with a starting pay of $22.00 an hour. The veteran received services from the Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist to include resume development, mock interview assistance, job leads, and job development from the Local Veteran Employment Representative.