When soldiers return from service, they are often faced with an uncertain employment situation. Even those who had workforce experience before enlisting usually return home to see that what they thought were some of their most marketable skills have become commonplace, or even obsolete.
To assist these veterans as they navigate the labor situation, an intern program, named "Soldier for Life," has been launched by the government with the goal of easing the transition. The initiative was especially priceless for Sgt. Richard Karlson, who worked in technology before entering the military in 2008.
According to the Kansas City Star, when the veteran returned to civilian life after six years of service, he realized his formerly impressive skill set was dated compared to recent technological innovations. Things like smartphones and tablets were only starting to appear in the industry when he left to serve his country. After connecting with Soldier for Life, however, Karlson feels confident he will be able to regain his footing and continue to find success in the field he loves. He currently holds an internship with the city of Olathe, Kansas, courtesy of the program.
The source reported that Karlson, who has eight children, is able to work as an intern in the city's information technology department two days a week. Not only does he get to catch up on everything he needs to know about the field, but the flexible hours allow him to remain employed outside the program while still gaining experience and building his resume.
"A lot of soldiers get out of the military and end up unemployed and even homeless, a program like this can really help prevent that," Karlson told the Kansas City Star.