Where to Find Internship Opportunities for Veterans
The transition from military service to the civilian workforce can take many paths. For many, education is involved, and an apprenticeship or internship is a priority for others. An internship is a great way to get on-the-job experience and build your professional network. Here are some organizations and places to find internship opportunities, especially for veterans.
Hiring Our Heroes
Hiring our Heroes has three fellowship programs that range from six to 12 weeks and connect military service members, spouses and caregivers with companies committed to hiring military-connected employees. The internship opportunities include positions with 3M, Amazon, FedEx, Microsoft, etc.
Corporate Fellowship Program -- a 12-week program that gives service members professional training and hands-on experience in the civilian world.
Military Spouse Fellowship Program -- a six-week program that connects military spouses to local employees and helps spouses build their network and gain experience.
Caregiver Fellowship Program -- a new program that gives caregivers of wounded warriors networking, hands-on experience and professional development.
Pathways Internship Program
The VA also has the Pathways Internship Program, which is open to current students enrolled in high school, college or another qualifying education program. The opportunities are listed on USAJOBS Student Jobs -- the federal employment website -- and qualifications vary based on the career field. When the program is over, the participants may be able to convert to a full-time position.
Veterans in Media & Entertainment
The entertainment industry, like many others, is all about who you know, which doesn't help veterans break into the industry. Veterans in Media & Entertainment (VME) helps by placing veterans in jobs, internships and casting roles. The student veterans have had internship opportunities and production assistant positions while working on their degrees in writing, finance, law, marketing and accounting.
VME works with partners to make a list of qualified candidates. If selected, veterans undergo a two to six-month paid internship with companies like Facebook, Paramount Pictures and the LA Rams.
Michigan Department of Transportation
The Federal Highway Administration funds the veteran employment opportunities with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). MDOT then partners with nationwide service-related opportunities to put veterans in available positions based on the veteran's experience, education and training. Opportunities are open in engineering, maintenance, planning and project management. Opportunities are open to honorably discharged veterans. You can see the opportunities here.
General Dynamics Military Internship Program
General Dynamics participates in the DOD SkillBridge program, which allows service members to do an internship through specific training, apprenticeships or internships during their last six months of service. The Military Internship Program is open to service members and spouses and is open to everyone, regardless of military occupation, specialty or rank. Applications are open year-round, and when using the SkillBridge program, service members are not working their military job, but they are still eligible for all their benefits and military pay.
Learn more about GI Bill® benefits and other resources available to veterans and military-connected students.