By Bob Hogan
Founder/CEO, Bridge My Return

Servicemembers transitioning out of the military often face the dilemma of “What do I do next?” Even veterans can find it difficult to transition to a civilian job.

The statistics on veteran underemployment and first-year dropout rates are alarming, and transition trauma and employer readiness are largely responsible. According to Business Wire and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM):

• Underemployment rate for veterans is 14% higher than the rest of the U.S. workforce.
• Dropout rate for veterans within the first year of employment is 47%.
• 80% of employers do not have recruitment programs for veterans.
• 71% of employers do not provide training to hiring managers on veteran training.
• 52% of employers do not provide transition support to veteran hires.

BMR Bridges the Gap between Servicemembers, Veterans and Civilian Employers

The APUS Department of Career Services strives to present benefits and opportunities to military and veteran students and alumni through events such as the Employing Those Who Serve Virtual Career Fair, close partnerships with organizations like Centurion Military Alliance, and ongoing staff training through workshops and seminars. Career Services has now added an incredible enhancement to their services by partnering with Bridge My Return (BMR), an online platform geared toward veterans and transitioning servicemembers.

While students and alumni can always seek employment guidance from APUS Career Services coaches, BMR provides extra help for military servicemembers and veterans. BMR is designed to connect them with career opportunities from civilian employers who value talent and character.

What Makes BMR Different from Other Methods of Hiring?

BMR takes a holistic approach. The idea is to address simultaneously both the supply side and demand side of hiring.

Users benefit from BMR’s technology and enjoy a positive experience because:

• The skills translator converts military skills (MOS) into language easily understood by private-sector employers.
• The application automatically creates a professional resume from the member’s completed profile.
• The algorithm matches the member’s profile information to jobs on the platform in real time.

Another benefit is that servicemembers and veterans also receive coaching from certified coaches before and after they are hired. This facilitates the interviewing and onboarding processes.

Employers have access to a number of BMR professional services and training programs. These programs support their efforts to improve military hiring, development and retention outcomes.

How Much Does Bridge My Return Cost?

BMR is free to veterans and current servicemembers. The only investment is the time it takes to create a personal profile. The BMR software works 24/7 so new job matches surface without any additional effort by the servicemember.

Employers pay reasonable fees to access the platform, as well as for the services and training programs they select.

For BMR, it’s all about increasing understanding, improving readiness and creating opportunities.

APUS Career Services Is Here for You

Current students and alumni of the university can continue to take advantage of the variety of personalized services offered by the APUS Department of Career Services. The team of industry-specific career coaches can help with a variety of questions, topics, and concerns regarding your job search or career.

Not sure of your career direction? Connect with a career exploration specialist to assess and explore your career fit.

Wherever you are in your career journey, Career Services provides encouragement and support as you define and pursue your career goals. From exploring careers to writing an effective resume, the personalized services and resources are designed to meet your ever-changing career needs.

Whether or not you have worked with APUS Career Services in the past, BMR may be the right fit for you. To learn more and to get started, visit bridgemyreturn.com/AMU.

About the Author

Bob Hogan is an entrepreneur with a passion for creating and supporting purpose-driven organizations and creating social change. Prior to Bridge My Return, Bob founded businesses in Internet technology, management consulting and insurance brokerage. Bob is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame.