Serving after service
As MBA students, we began seeking a new degree to prove to our current or potential employers that we are capable and ready for the increased responsibility that comes with a position in management. But as veterans, it can be difficult to explain to a potential employer why serving as a team leader of an infantry squad makes you qualified to manage a logistics warehouse. Or to convince a potential investor how driving a tank translates to starting your own business.
Without help, it can be a tough sell. But with our partnerships in the community and the support from the administration, we are working to ensure that the Clemson MBA program is one that supports our veterans more than just at face value. By calling on the talents of the wonderful veteran resources right here in Greenville, we want to help our brothers and sisters in arms by providing them unique opportunities to be involved with other veterans and, most importantly, their community.
The Greenville Chapter of the Clemson Student Veteran Association developed in part by accident. In January 2015, my roommate, Mike, and I began at Clemson as MBA candidates. Both of us had recently come off active duty orders and were preparing to start this new chapter looking for a house, buying books, scheduling classes and, of course, applying for student loans. We were also trying to sort out our veteran’s benefits – which, if you’ve had the pleasure of navigating on your own, you know is anything but a pleasure.
After coordinating with the veteran liaison at Clemson’s main campus, we realized that there was a need for the veteran students in Greenville. We found that navigating the always particular and sometimes arduous specifications of the VA over email and phone calls proved to be more difficult than we anticipated.
We weren’t even sure who to talk to, let alone where to begin, but we figured it couldn’t hurt to try. In fact we spent several months trying to figure out that question. Who were the necessary subject matter experts that could point us in the right direction?
Enter Upstate Warrior Solution, a Greenville-based nonprofit that helps to “Connect, Lead and Inspire” veterans in order to help with their transitions to civilian life. Upon meeting with Executive Director Charlie Hall and COO Chris McRae, we found the resources we needed to help veterans in the MBA program.
Over the last several months, Chris’ past experience as chapter president and ambassador of a veteran organization at the University of Washington Bothell, have become an integral part of our growth. Chris has helped us to formalize our organization, provided insight on recruitment and helped us to translate the benefits of a strong veteran organization to the Clemson administration.
Additionally, we are working with Upstate Warrior Solution to coordinate a program that would provide an on-site resource for our Veterans here at the Clemson ONE Building location by next fall semester.
Our network in Greenville has begun to expand, including newly formed relationships with Upstate Veterans Business Network and the Greenville Rotary. Several months ago, Charlie Hall reached out to his fellow Rotarians asking for volunteers to serve as mentors for our veterans in the program. The response has been overwhelming, and the feedback from veterans and Rotarians alike has been tremendous. This group of Greenville leaders has helped our veterans connect to the business community and opened up doors for positive opportunities and potential.
