Conference Session

Understanding the Military Veteran's Human Resource Needs - Transition from Military Service to the Engineering Profession

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

B. Grant Crawford, Quinnipiac University; Jason B Burke, Quinnipiac University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Military and Veterans Constituent Committee

overcomein integrating into this new environment. Student veterans bring an enormous amount ofmaturity and life perspective with them. Most are mature beyond their years. They have arespect for authority that has been borne of necessity and an understanding of delayedgratification. They are focused and goal-oriented and possess a tremendous work ethic. Mosthave experiences in working with broad and diverse groups of individuals and bring with themexperience and skills in leading small teams. They come from very diverse backgrounds andhave life experiences unlike any traditional student on campus. Student veterans are older,typically commute to campus, work part or fulltime, often have a spouse and children, and make-up roughly four percent of the

Conference Session

Understanding the Military Veteran's Human Resource Needs - Transition from Military Service to the Engineering Profession

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Joyce B. Main, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Michelle M. Camacho, University of San Diego; Catherine Mobley, Clemson University; Catherine E. Brawner, Research Triangle Educational Consultants; Susan M Lord, University of San Diego

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Military and Veterans Constituent Committee

student veterans and traditional studentsand balancing academic and family lives. Most of the student veterans interviewed in the focusgroups reported positive academic experiences with sufficient to ample support from faculty andstudent services. Some noted that the discipline, work ethic, teaming skills, and the mindset thatthey gained from the military facilitated their progress through the engineering curriculum. Someindicated being more vocal than other traditional students in asking questions and in seeking helpfrom faculty in regard to learning course materials, while others relied on study groups. Findingswill provide context and information for various applications, such as: identifying ways in whichthe military can help separating