We Are Intel
Learn about Intel culture and the individuals who do something wonderful everyday
1008 Discussions

Intel VET: Veteran Mentees

Global_Diversity
Employee
0 0 261
Can you believe that it’s almost May? Neither can we. Especially because our final Spring 2012 session of the Intel Veteran’s Employment Training (Intel® VET) program, will take place it May, yet it feels like we just launched the program yesterday! Our last blog post was focused on the eMentoring program where veterans who attend the workshop are matched with a veteran who works at Intel and who understands how to transition from civilian to military life. Last month we heard about the program from the mentors’ perspective, so this month we want to share thoughts from the mentee’s perspective. Here is what a couple of them have to say about the program:

Alonzo, Washington, DC Area Veteran:

  • What made you sign up for an Intel Vet mentor? I attended a job fair in Dumferries, VA where it was recommended that I attend a workshop held at the Woodbridge Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) for vets, which is how I learned about the Intel VET workshop. Ever since attending, it has changed a little part of me each day.

  • How do you feel having a mentor has helped you (i.e. Resume building, interview coaching, general transition questions, etc.)? The mentor program has been a great help. I have not found a job yet, but it has been great to talk with someone who listens and understand what I’m going through.

  • Has having a mentor helped you with your job search and have you been able to secure a job since attending the Intel VET workshop? Since being matched with my mentor, who is located in CA, we’ve talked about every three to four weeks about how the job search is going. I thank Intel and all of the other organizations that are trying to help us Vets.


Raweewan, Washington, DC Area Veteran:

  • What made you sign up for an Intel Vet mentor? I feel it was necessary for transitioning veterans to have someone with similar background to guide us in the right direction, professionally.

  • How do you feel having a mentor has helped you (i.e. Resume building, interview coaching, general transition questions, etc.)? What helped me with the mentoring program were the interview techniques, especially the phone interviews. Also, the professional development guide/plan was very helpful. I have filled out some of the items on the plan since I’ve started. It was a helpful tool, not only for me to keep track of where I’m heading, but it also helped me create my job objectives for future performance appraisals.

  • Has having a mentor helped you with your job search and have you been able to secure a job since attending the Intel VET workshop? This program is useful for both pre-employment period and post-employment period. After my employment started, I’ve experienced a whole new set of issues and I can see that a professional mentor from an outside employer can help. There are things such as time management and human relations/managing civilians that I’ve personally experienced as post-employment challenges. Communication with civilian employees can be tricky if you are so used to giving orders to your troops.


The mentors play a key role in the training that’s offered to the Vets as it gives attendees a mentor to lean on for support, ask questions and share information with. For more information on the Intel VET program and on how to register for an upcoming workshop, go to the Intel VET website. Registration deadline for the next workshop is May 4th. Please note: The May session will be the final Spring 2012 workshop, as the Gum Springs Computer Clubhouse is not available during the summer months. The Intel VET program will then resume in September 2012. Seats are limited for the final Spring workshop, so register now!