From senior-level executives to entry-level staff, more than 1,600 UPMC employees self-identify as veterans. One of those employees is Doug I., a manager for Military and Veteran Recruiting, who came to UPMC after 20 years in the Air Force as a dental lab technician.
“After a long career in the military, I was concerned I would not find that sense of belonging, camaraderie, and shared values anywhere,” Doug said. “I found a home at UPMC thanks to their willingness to take a chance on me. Now, it is a gift to help other veterans as they walk in the same path as I did.”
Doug’s story is one of many that highlight the unique process of pursuing a civilian career after service. Not only do veterans take on the task of determining what career path they might enjoy, but they also have the challenge of communicating how their military skills align with the mission, vision, and values of an alternative setting. But thanks to the help of team members like Doug and his leader Erik O., Director for Military and Veterans Affairs, veterans can find that same sense of belonging at UPMC thanks to the expertise and camaraderie of fellow veterans who have walked this path before.
“I found a home at UPMC thanks to their willingness to take a chance on me. Now, it is a gift to help other veterans as they walk in the same path as I did.”
— Doug I., Manager for Military and Veteran Recruiting
Finding Purpose-Driven Work at UPMC
Before they even begin the transition out of active duty, UPMC helps military members start to make connections to build a rewarding and meaningful career. This process is facilitated through SkillBridge, a Department of Defense (DoD) program that releases individuals from duties at their military installation for a permissive temporary duty assignment with partnering organizations to perform industry-relevant tasks that prepare them for civilian employment. UPMC leads the state in placement of active-duty service members in SkillBridge internships, with approximately 50 appointments in 2023.
Doug came to UPMC through the SkillBridge program: “Erik brought me onto the Pathways for Veterans team as an intern for 12 weeks,” said Doug. “He understood what I was going through as I learned how a civilian job functions. His leadership went a long way.”
Soon after, Doug was offered a full-time position on the Pathways for Veterans team in a role created just for him. Today, Doug has come full circle and now manages the SkillBridge program, working with candidates as they complete their intake survey, interview, and internships. He understands how a veteran’s first post-military opportunity can be a daunting decision, so he tries to pass on his experiences and wisdom and help veterans feel at ease during the process.
According to Erik, 87% of service members who participate in the internship program at UPMC move on to full-time positions. “All military services have key values like honor, courage, and commitment, so veterans immediately identify with UPMC’s values. They thrive working within a purpose-driven system,” Erik said.
Years before Erik O. was helping people like Doug find their fit at UPMC, he was trying to find his fit in the corporate workplace after completing a 22-year career in the military and Marine Corps. Eight years into his civilian career in corporate America, Erik met a former Marine who worked for UPMC in project management — the first step that began Erik’s and UPMC’s journey to establishing the Pathways for Veterans program.
Inspired by UPMC’s Pathways to Work program – which aims to help those with barriers to work find meaningful and purposeful employment – Erik saw that UPMC had the opportunity to provide similar support for veterans like him. In October 2021, the UPMC Pathways for Veterans program launched to support veteran hiring by providing a personalized approach to the UPMC job search and application process. Today, the Pathways for Veterans team provides concierge-style job search assistance to members of the military community (including spouses and partners) who are looking for a meaningful career opportunity.
Each month, 300 to 400 veterans apply to UPMC. They each receive personalized outreach from Doug or Erik, asking what assistance they can provide the veteran with their job search.
“We can’t provide the answer key, but we can help them understand the system,” Erik said. “We have found that veterans who use our services are 3.5 times more likely to get in front of a hiring manager and two times more likely to be hired. Most hiring managers look for a candidate with strong leadership who can drive toward mission accomplishment,” Erik said. “Veterans have those skills in spades, alongside a strong work ethic, accountability, and drive.”
“All military services have key values like honor, courage, and commitment, so veterans immediately identify with UPMC’s values. They thrive working within a purpose-driven system."
— Erik O., Director for Military and Veterans Affairs
Translating Military Skills to a Health Care Career
Alycia C., critical incident investigator I, UPMC Health Plan Community Health Choices Quality Improvement, has seen firsthand how important SkillBridge is for veterans who transition to civilian careers. Alycia enlisted in the military right after her high school graduation and became a medic, working in family health after boot camp. During the latter half of her eight-year military career, she began to pursue leadership roles. As she led a team of five departments comprised of 20 people, Alycia realized she enjoyed helping patients from behind-the-scenes.
This past year, Alycia decided to focus on her education and her family, starting a SkillBridge internship with Community Health Choices Quality Improvement.
“I am thankful for the time I had to breathe and figure out what I wanted with the support of UPMC, as I began to move on from the military lifestyle,” Alycia said. On advice she would give other veterans looking to transition into a new career: “Don’t be afraid to take the leap. UPMC is incredibly veteran-friendly.”
Alicia isn’t the only person whose civilian career was shaped by their SkillBridge experience with UPMC. After being a military police officer for eight years, Kyle G., project manager, Office of HR Organizational Performance, wondered how his skills would or could fit in a corporate space.
“Many of the accolades and acronyms did not translate in the civilian world,” Kyle said. But thanks to help from Erik, Kyle says he learned how to translate complicated military terms into understandable achievements and experiences that align with what employers look for.
“Erik was the first person I spoke to at UPMC. During my internship, Erik was my mentor, my boss, and my friend.” Kyle said. “I’m lucky UPMC allows veterans to get their foot in the door. If I didn’t have Erik in my corner or the SkillBridge program to help me market my skills, I don’t know where I would be today.”
Now, Kyle is finishing his MBA with the hope to continue to grow within UPMC.
There are even more stories to share of veterans who found successful careers at UPMC, and Erik hopes that this is only the beginning. “We are constantly looking to do more and expand…My goal is for UPMC to be recognized as a national leader in military and veteran engagement.”
And it looks like Erik is one step closer to seeing that goal come to fruition. Thanks to the efforts of Military and Veteran Initiatives at UPMC plus other programs and offerings throughout the organization, UPMC was recently named both a nationwide top 10 Military Friendly Employer and a Military Spouse Friendly Employer for 2024. This recognition is given to organizations who display a commitment to serving the military and veteran community — from hiring and career advancement to customer service and charitable investment.
“UPMC is honored with this designation and proud to be recognized as a company that truly cares about the service and sacrifices of the entire military community,” said John Galley, senior vice president and chief human resources officer at UPMC. Erik echoed a similar mentality, saying: “I’m proud to be a part of an organization that supports veterans. What could be better than helping my community achieve what they define as success?”
At UPMC, we understand the many sacrifices active military members, veterans, and their families have made to serve and support our country, and we’re here to help you achieve success and find belonging right here at UPMC.
“I’m proud to be a part of an organization that supports veterans. What could be better than helping my community achieve what they define as success?"
— Erik O., Director for Military and Veterans Affairs
