GVSU Veteran Initiatives

Interested in working part-time at GVSU as you study? GVSU Military and Veterans Resource Center has a work study program as a Student Veteran Lounge Assistant. As part of our team, you'll warmly welcome visitors, maintain lounge, aid veteran students with inquiries, and collaborate across campus for outreach events. Join us in fostering a supportive environment that allows us to assist those who have served our country.

Michigan Veterans Advance Program at GVSU: Your Path to Meaningful Work and Education

This innovative program is a collaboration between GVSU and SpartanNash, a Michigan-based food solutions company with a strong commitment to veterans and military families. The Veterans Advance program is an embodiment of GVSU's commitment to innovation and the success of our student veterans. Don't miss this opportunity to make the most of your military background while pursuing higher education.

Handshake (formerly LakerJobs)

Handshake is an online platform connecting GVSU students, alumni, employers, and career resources. It facilitates internships, part-time jobs, and career placement. As you engage with Handshake, it adapts to your preferences, delivering personalized and up-to-date content. Stay tuned for new opportunities by checking back regularly.

GVSU Career Center

Explore career opportunities, get assistance matching your military skills to civilian roles, get your resume reviewed, do practice interviews, connect with military friendly employers in the area, and more! Drop by CareerLab in person at 200 Student Services, visit them online during their virtual hours, or make an appointment with an advisor. The Career Advisors are specialists to a specific area of study. Meet the Career Center Staff to find who serves your specific area of study. If you're not sure who to start with, reach out to Lisa Knapp, who has experience with military life. [email protected]

Keep an eye on the Career Center events page their for amazing opportunities with their Employer Showcases as well as their Career and Internship fairs. 

Michigan Veteran Entrepreneur-Lab (MVE-Lab): Empowering Veteran Entrepreneurs

Welcome to the Michigan Veteran Entrepreneur-Lab (MVE-Lab), a pioneering 3-month entrepreneurship accelerator specifically designed for veterans and military spouses. Our mission is to provide hands-on startup education to those aiming to generate an additional $20,000 or more annual income through small business ventures. As a program under the Grand Valley State University (GVSU) Richard M. and Helen DeVos Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CEI), MVE-Lab offers comprehensive startup education and connections within Michigan's vibrant entrepreneur ecosystem.

Veteran Employment in Michigan: Where to Begin

Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) recognizes employers that commit to military veteran recruitment, training and retention practices by awarding those employers Gold, Silver and Bronze level status as MVAA Certified Veteran-Friendly Employers.

If you are seeking employment, please visit the individual company websites for available positions or MiTalent.org.

The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) serves as the central hub for connecting veterans and their families to services and benefits across the state. Our mission is to connect Michigan employers with veteran talent and eliminate employment barriers by facilitating skills translation and identifying the right candidates for job opportunities.

Veteran Employment in Michigan Pamphlet

How ESGR Can Help

ESGR recognizes the valuable skills and talents that Guard and Reserve Service members bring to the civilian workforce. To ensure a successful arrangement, both parties must understand their rights and responsibilities under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). ESGR is here to assist! With ESGR committees in every state, territory, and the District of Columbia, representatives are available to enhance the relationship between Service members and their supervisors through a deeper understanding of military service.

ESGR aims to foster a culture where all employers in America appreciate their employees' military service, thereby minimizing conflicts. In cases where issues arise, ESGR offers free and impartial mediation services and information on legal requirements.

For USERRA inquiries or to be connected with a trained Ombudsman, reach out to ESGR's Customer Service Center Monday to Friday (excluding Federal holidays) between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM (ET):

• Phone: 800-336-4590, Option 1 
• Email: [email protected]

Student Veterans of America (SVA) Job Portal

Welcome to SVA’s Job Portal, which is your comprehensive source for current employment opportunities. In collaboration with the National Labor Exchange, our unique platform allows you to enter your military occupation code or title and preferred location for efficient matching. Whether you seek part-time work, resume-building internships, or a new career path, our site is here to assist you.

Career-One-Stop Veteran and Military Transition Center

Transitioning from the military to a civilian career? Use CareerOneStop Military to Civilian Occupation Translator to match your skills to similar civilian careers and find local job openings. Simply enter your military job title or MOC and preferred location to get started.

If you already have a specific job in mind and don't need to match your military skills, visit the Veteran and Military Transition Center's Veterans Job Finder.

O*NET Resource Center

The O*NET Program is the nation's primary source of occupational information. It features the comprehensive ONET database, containing standardized descriptors for nearly 1,000 occupations across the U.S. economy. This publicly accessible database is continuously updated through input from workers in each occupation, providing valuable insights.

O*NET is developed by the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), in collaboration with the North Carolina Department of Commerce.

Veterans Employment Center (VEC)

The Veterans Employment Center™ (VEC) connects Veterans and their families with employment and career development opportunities. We support you throughout your job search journey, whether you're returning to work with a service-connected disability, seeking training for new opportunities, or starting/growing your own business. We provide access to Department of Labor resources, career advice, resume building, and connect you with employers interested in hiring Veterans and military spouses. Use VEC to get the help you need to build your career and find the right job or business opportunity.

USERRA

The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) is a Federal law that safeguards the rights and responsibilities of Service members and their civilian employers.

USERRA ensures that individuals who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, Reserve, National Guard, or other uniformed Services: (1) are not disadvantaged in their civilian careers due to their service; (2) are promptly reemployed in their civilian jobs upon their return from duty; and (3) are protected against employment discrimination based on past, present, or future military service.

This law applies to those who voluntarily or involuntarily leave their employment positions to perform service in the uniformed Services, including specific service in the National Disaster Medical System and the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service.

USERRA has a broad impact on employment, reemployment, and job retention when employees serve in the uniformed Services. It also prohibits employers from discriminating against current or former members of the uniformed Services, as well as individuals applying for uniformed Service positions.