On paper, it’s the stuff of dreams.  The resumes of women veterans are brimming with skills and competencies, intercultural experiences and often, the unmatched value of security clearances.  Still, when it comes to meaningful, sustainable careers, their numbers continue to indicate a struggle.  That’s exactly what the Business and Professional Women’s (BPW) Foundation is addressing through its Joining Forces Mentoring Plus initiative.  It matches successful working women with women veterans – and its working.

“We’ve created a unique system to empower women veterans and support them holistically,” said Deborah Frett, CEO, BPW Foundation.  “We match women veterans with volunteer mentors, subject matter experts and opportunities to make online connections tailored to help them navigate the obstacles they face when they return to their civilian lives.”

A nationwide program established in 2012, the initiative is recognized by the White House Joining Forces Military Family initiative, and now counts some 700 women split about equally between mentors and mentees.

“We are working women helping women work,” said Frett.  “Our mentors are successful women in a variety of career fields and industries who voluntarily share their insights with women veterans.  They help them identify career goals and learn how to market their achievements, often opening up their own personal and professional networks to women who don’t have connections outside the military.  They establish relationships and talk by phone and email.  We’ve had some mentors who, when their travel schedules allow it, actually meet their mentees in person.  And these relationships are continuous.  They don’t stop once a veteran lands a job.  That support continues in that next chapter.”

To date, the foundation has established more than 50 partnerships, with heavy hitters like Booz Allen Hamilton, Citi, Dell, Sears, CVS and Alliant.  Business and community partnerships also continue to come on board, including the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), VA for Vets and Women as Veteran Entrepreneurs (WAVE).

The foundation has been studying the challenges faced by women veterans since 2005, when it recognized the surge of women returning from two wars and identified them as a demographic with unique transition needs but few resources for assistance.

“Too often they aren’t aware of the benefits and programs available to them, and there’s also the issue of many of these programs being designed specifically for men,” said Frett.  “Because their service is misunderstood, many women veterans no longer identify themselves as veterans.  Our goal is to assist them in recognizing the value of their skills and leadership qualities and help them work through the process of defining and identifying their career goals. For example, those wanting to capitalize on having a security clearance may want to talk to successful women who have security clearances and are working in cleared careers so they can better understand both the job market and how to market the clearance.”

Based on a workforce development model, the program provides women veterans the opportunity to become a mentee through an online application process.  Once approved, they have access to articles and resources, as well as a list of possible mentors that best match the criteria they indicate in their applications.

In addition to one-on-one relationships with mentors, subject matter experts are also available to help with targeted needs such as resume development, interview preparation, self assessment, marketing accomplishments and work-life balance.

“Many times and for many reasons, women veterans coming into civilian life have lost some of their self confidence and self esteem,” said Frett.  “One of our women veteran mentees told us she was ‘empowered by the first phone call’ because the first need she expressed was to build self esteem from what had previously been a sense of hopelessness.  Our mentors offer them an opportunity to get back on track and begin a process that leads to meaningful, quality employment.”

To learn more or to apply for the mentoring program: www.joiningforcesmentoringplus.org

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Tranette Ledford is a writer and owner of Ledford, LLC, which provides writing, editorial and public relations consulting for defense, military and private sector businesses. You can contact her at: Tranette@Ledfordllc.com.