Veterans Module 1

Transcript

1. Initial Intake Background & Goals www.theASCENDcollective.org Visit Our Website
2. Veterans ASCEND is dedicated to empowering military veterans by bridging the gap between their unique skills and meaningful employment opportunities. Through a cutting- edge AI-enabled platform, Veterans ASCEND eliminates the traditional barriers of resumes and job applications by matching veterans' military experience and skills directly with employers seeking their specific talents. The program focuses on personal branding and individualized career pathways, providing veterans with the tools, resources, and support needed to navigate the civilian job market successfully and secure fulfilling, sustainable employment that aligns with their strengths and aspirations. Veterans ASCEND The ASCEND Collective is a nonprofit organization committed to transforming employment opportunities for individuals often overlooked in traditional hiring processes. We harness innovative, AI- enabled technology to match people with meaningful job opportunities. The ASCEND Collective
3. Objectives Personal Experience Personal Goals Identify experiences in military and civilian life, breaking them down into Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). Consider the tasks and roles, knowledge gained, skills developed (leadership; problem-solving), and abilities demonstrated (adaptability; team management). This breakdown helps create a strong profile showcasing strengths for future career endeavors. Define clear, tangible goals aligning with personal and professional aspirations. Identify key achievements, desired outcomes, and measurable benchmarks. Outline roles or industries of interest, specify skills to highlight or develop, and set a timeline for each career transformation step. Create a focused plan leveraging unique strengths for meaningful employment and long-term growth.
4. What is Personal Experience? Personal experience refers to the unique events, encounters, and situations an individual has gone through in their life, which shape their perspectives, skills, values, and character. It encompasses both professional and personal contexts—ranging from your work history, education, volunteer activities, and hobbies, to life challenges, achievements, and relationships. Personal experience is highly individualized and subjective, influenced by one's background, culture, and choices. It serves as a foundation for learning, growth, and the development of skills and abilities, often providing insights that guide future actions and decisions.
5. Why reflecting on your experience is an important step Translating Skills Solving Problems Knowing Your Worth Reflecting on experience helps Veterans ASCEND candidates translate military skills to civilian roles. Specialized knowledge like logistics, IT, or medical expertise, honed through hands-on training, directly applies to civilian industries. Employers value veterans’ practical experience as it proves their readiness to contribute effectively from day one. Veterans’ experience fosters resilience and problem-solving skills, crucial in any workplace. Having navigated crises and high-pressure situations, they excel in roles requiring adaptability and quick decision-making. Employers seek these qualities in candidates who can handle challenges confidently and maintain focus under pressure, adding value to any team. Military experience equips Veterans ASCEND candidates with proven leadership and teamwork skills. Veterans know how to lead diverse teams, motivate others, and collaborate effectively. These qualities are valuable to employers seeking leaders who can manage teams, navigate dynamics, and drive productivity, making veterans ideal for leadership roles.
6. Military Skills in Civilian Language Technical Skills Communication Skills Leadership & Supervisory Skills Flexibility Critical Thinking Translating military skills into civilian language is essential for veterans to effectively communicate their value to employers. This involves framing experiences in terms that resonate with civilian job requirements, such as describing leadership roles as "project management" or "team supervision" and using terms like "operations coordination" instead of "mission planning." By aligning military accomplishments with civilian competencies, veterans can highlight their adaptability, problem-solving abilities, and leadership skills, making it clear how their unique background directly benefits potential employers in a variety of industries. Veterans frequently possess expertise in areas like information technology, engineering, and logistics, which can be directly applied to roles in tech support, operations, or supply chain management. Experience with clear, effective communication in high- stress environments translates into strong verbal and written communication skills essential for client relations, presentations, and team coordination. Military leaders often manage teams, make strategic decisions, and maintain morale under pressure, which translates into strong managerial, team-building, and conflict-resolution abilities in civilian roles. The ability to adapt quickly to new environments and challenges, honed through diverse military experiences, is crucial for roles requiring flexibility, quick learning, and the capacity to handle change effectively. Veterans often develop critical thinking and data analysis skills through mission planning and problem- solving, which are valuable in roles requiring strategic planning, data interpretation, or market analysis.
7. Collaborated effectively with diverse groups to achieve common goals, fostering a cooperative and efficient work environment. Led diverse teams in high-pressure environments, demonstrating an ability to motivate, guide, and achieve objectives under challenging conditions. Examples of Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Teamwork Leadership Logistics Management Project Management Resilience Technical Proficiency Training & Development Communication Coordinated and managed supply chains, optimizing resources and ensuring the timely delivery of materials and equipment. Managed complex missions from planning through execution, ensuring objectives were met on time and within budget. Maintained focus and composure under pressure, demonstrating an ability to work effectively in high-stress situations. Operated and maintained advanced military technology and equipment, translating to strong technical and troubleshooting skills in civilian sectors. Trained personnel in new skills and procedures, showing expertise in coaching, mentoring, and instructional design. Delivered clear and concise briefings and reports, effectively conveying complex information to varying levels of authority. Cultural Competence Problem-Solving Adapted to diverse environments and cultures, demonstrating the ability to work effectively with people from various backgrounds. Developed quick decision-making skills in unpredictable situations, essential for handling challenges and finding solutions in dynamic environments.
8. Put it into action Access your Veterans ASCEND talent profile and start identifying your specific Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities based on your experiences. Reach out to your mentor if you have any questions or need clarification - or if you just need to brainstorm. Once you have completed the initial questionnaires and filled out the form, you are ready to move on to your goals.
9. Overcoming barriers is crucial because it allows us to recognize the obstacles that stand in the way of our success, whether they are internal challenges like self- doubt or external ones like limited resources or lack of access. Understanding these barriers before setting our goals helps us create a realistic and achievable plan, ensuring we are prepared to tackle challenges effectively. Begin by identifying specific barriers that may hinder progress, such as skills gaps, lack of resources, or external challenges, and prioritize them based on their impact. Develop targeted strategies for each barrier, like acquiring new skills, seeking mentorship, or leveraging available resources, to address them systematically. Set small, achievable milestones to monitor progress, maintain motivation, and adjust strategies as needed to ensure consistent advancement toward your goals. After creating a plan to break down barriers, you can focus on achieving your goals with renewed clarity and purpose, leveraging each small victory to build momentum. By systematically overcoming obstacles, you gain the confidence, skills, and resilience needed to reach your ultimate objectives, turning challenges into stepping stones for success. Identify General Barriers Make a Plan Achieve your Goals 01 02 03
10. Identify and engage with mentors, peers, or resources that can provide guidance, advice, or assistance in overcoming challenges. Clearly define the specific obstacles standing in the way of your progress, whether internal or external. Overcoming Barriers Stay flexible and ready to adapt your plan as needed, using each step forward as motivation to continue overcoming barriers. Break down your strategies into smaller, manageable milestones to track progress and maintain motivation. Evaluate how each barrier affects your goals and prioritize them based on their level of impact. Implement your strategies consistently, focusing on one barrier at a time to avoid becoming overwhelmed. Regularly assess your progress, noting any new challenges or adjustments needed to keep moving forward. Create targeted strategies for addressing each barrier, such as learning new skills, networking, or finding alternative resources. Seek Support Adapt and Persist Identify Barriers Set Milestones Assess Impact Take Action Evaluate Progress Develop Strategies
11. Turning Barriers into Goals Recognize Barriers as Opportunities Set Goals Aligned with Overcoming Barriers Measure Success Through Barrier Removal View barriers not as setbacks, but as opportunities for growth and improvement. Each challenge presents a chance to learn new skills, expand your capabilities, or adapt to changing circumstances. By reframing obstacles this way, you can turn potential roadblocks into stepping stones toward achieving your goals. Transform each identified barrier into a specific, actionable goal. For instance, if lack of experience is a barrier, set a goal to complete a relevant training course or seek mentorship in that area. This approach ensures that every action you take is directly aligned with eliminating obstacles on your path. Track your progress by measuring how effectively you overcome each barrier, using it as a metric for success. Celebrate each small victory as you move past challenges, reinforcing the idea that every step forward is an achievement in itself, ultimately leading to your larger objectives.
12. Setting SMART goals ensures your objectives are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time- bound, making them easier to accomplish. Set smart goals Put it into action Access the Goals and Barriers Worksheet on the Veterans ASCEND portal. Based on what you have learned in this lesson you should: Knowing your barriers helps you understand the specific challenges you need to overcome to reach your objectives. Having an initial plan provides a clear roadmap for tackling these challenges step-by-step, ensuring you stay focused and proactive. Know your barriers Have an initial plan
13. Summary & Conclusion In this module, you identified your Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities and created a Talent Profile. You also identified Goals and made a plan to achieve them. Make sure that all of the worksheets in this module are completed. If you have any questions, please ask! Let your career coach know that you are ready to review the worksheets and discuss what you learned in this module. In the next lesson, we will discuss Skills Enhancement for the career you deserve. Finish all worksheets Reach out to your career coach Prepare for the next step
14. www.theASCENDcollective.org Visit Our Website Thank You F o r Y o u r A t t e n t i o n