Veterans face incredible odds, challenges, and pressures while protecting and serving our country, and when they arrive back home, life can remain just as daunting. The civilian world may feel unfamiliar, and resources can be overwhelming. At SAM, we are proud to honor and assist veterans, and this Veterans Day, we want to shine a special light on our SkillBridge program and its participants.
What is SkillBridge?
Known nationwide as the Department of Defense (DOD) SkillBridge Program and at SAM as the DOD SkillBridge Internship, this government-established initiative helps former military personnel transition into civilian careers. At SAM, this takes the form of internship-based training for roles like field or office technicians.
Internship participants gain valuable experience in areas such as surveying, aerial mapping, and construction inspection. Hands-on tasks may include data collection and processing, boundary surveying, digital aerial mapping, LiDAR laser scanning, construction inspection, and utility designating.
SkillBridge is available at all SAM locations, from Austin to Denver to New York, and requires no prior experience in geospatial solutions or construction services.
A Closer Look at SkillBridge Within SAM
Gary Niemeyer, Austin-based Chief UAS Manager, went into SkillBridge this past May with 20 years of UAS operation experience from the Army. Despite his extensive knowledge, Gary said he learned the importance of every voice and ways to creatively solve civilian sector issues.
“Transitioning from the military to SAM could not have been a better experience,” Gary said, “from SAM offering me a permanent position prior to the expiration of my SkillBridge to the management team checking on me during my transition out of the Army.”
Mandy Fessel, who served in the Air Force for a little over 20 years, was one of many participants without geospatial or construction experience. In addition to learning a new skill set, she said the SkillBridge program helped her adapt her leadership expertise to her position with SAM.
“The SkillBridge program provided relief and stability during a fairly drastic life transition,” Mandy said. “I figuratively hung up my uniform on that last day on active duty, and the next day, I was a full-time employee at SAM.”
Both Gary and Mandy recommend SkillBridge to anyone exiting the military and entering life at SAM.
“It is a great opportunity and benefit afforded to them by the military,” Mandy said. “You are still getting paid your normal military pay while you are in the program and learning a job that will not only provide a new skill set but will get you to that next chapter without the hiatus.”
Interested in Joining SAM’s SkillBridge Program?
If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about how SkillBridge can help transition military experience into a civilian career at SAM, click here to apply: https://careers.sam.biz/jobs/5878?lang=en-us.