ClearanceJobs is proud to be sponsoring a fellow from the 2016 Charlie Class of The Mission Continues. The fellowship program helps veterans transition back to civilian life through six-to-12 month fellowships with nonprofits across the country. It doesn’t just place fellows into organizations, however, it also helps them determine what they’d like to do after the fellowship ends, and what the ‘next step’ is following their military and community service.
ClearanceJobs recently had the chance to speak with Heather McCarty, learning and development manager with The Mission Continues.
“Some of the large issues that we have folks taking on have to do with access to food..taking on homelessness,” said McCarty. Fellows have the opportunity to weigh-in on where they’d like to serve. Local platoons also work on a variety of programs, and partner with the local community to ensure their service is making the greatest impact. Fellows work with program specialists and others within The Mission Continues organization to make sure they’re making the most of the program.
“My role is to ensure that within all of our programs, in the different opportunities we’re providing, that we are really taking a look at where there’s a possible opportunity to continue learning, to provide additional opportunities for our participants to further their own education, knowledge, and skill set, as a continuation of their skill set in the military.”
The idea is, veterans leave military service with a whole host of unique skills and valuable qualities. But many do struggle with how to transition back to civilian life. The Mission Continues helps veterans repurpose the skills they learned in the military into their communities, said McCarty.
“When you think about the work veterans have done in the military, it is based on leadership, it is around hierarchy that is inherent in leadership…everyone has a role to play that they are expected to take and run with,” she notes.
“We want them to apply the leadership skills they already have, and sharpen new leadership skills,” said McCarty.
Just as many private sector companies have learned the benefits of hiring veterans, The Mission Continues sees how veterans can revitalize community service programs across the country.
“Our veterans stood up and committed to service for our country. and once they decided to hang up that uniform and to leave the military, that desire to serve didn’t go anywhere,” said McCarty.
