Career Services is here to support you in your transition from a military to civilian career. We can assist with all stages of your career planning and job searches, from deciding on a fitting major and civilian career path, to figuring out what steps to take to fully prepare for your next career move, to finding and applying for employment, internships, and post-graduation positions.
Get Career Assistance from Career Services
Below are the different ways you can access career assistance. Choose the option(s) that best meets your needs. If you’re not sure, or you need help finding a particular resource, send us a message, or call us at (208) 426-1747.
In-Person and Online Appointments: For your convenience, we can assist you with any of your career planning or job search needs in-person at Career Services, or via video, phone, or email.
Virtual Career Center: Access our electronic resources on career exploration, career planning, internships, job searching, resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn, or interviewing.
Civilian career experiences: Gaining experience directly in your intended career field is one of the most critical aspects of a career transition. We coordinate programs to help you gain these experiences. (Make an appointment for assistance determining what experiences best meet your needs.)
Handshake: Use our online job search platform to search for on and off campus part-time jobs, internships, and career positions.
Career Events: We bring employers to campus throughout the year for Career Fairs, smaller networking events, information sessions, and on-campus interviews. We also host a “suit-up” event where you can purchase discounted civilian work attire. Make sure to watch your email for upcoming events that may be especially relevant to you!
Meet Your Career Services Liaison
While all of our Career Services staff are well equipped to assist you in your career transition, and you can schedule your appointment with any of us, Jillian is designated to support our veterans.
Jillian is a career counselor who works collaboratively with students and alumni to discover majors and career paths of interest and then develop a plan for success. She strives to ensure every student leaves her office feeling encouraged and motivated to pursue their career goals.
Additional Resources for Transitioning to a Civilian Career
Civilian Occupations Related to Your Military Occupation
CareerOneStop Veteran and Military Transition Center: This resource helps you match your military skills and experiences to civilian careers, search for jobs in your local area or across the United States, and connects you with other benefits for veterans. The Veterans Job Matcher allows you to search by your MOC to identify related civilian occupations, typical salary, education needed, job outlook, and current openings. The site’s job search section offers a wide range of resources and tips on each step of the job search process, specifically tailored to veterans.
Idaho Department of Labor JobScape: If you’re planning to stay in Idaho, use this tool to access Idaho region-specific career information, including data on salary, employment, and annual openings for a given occupation. Use your MOC to find related occupations, but before you select an occupation title, click the “Filters” button at the top of the page, and enter a city or zip code to get data specific to the region of the state you plan to live in.
Translating Your Experience into Civilian Language
O*Net Online’s Military Crosswalk Search: This tool can help you translate your military experience to a civilian resume. You will search codes or titles from the Military Occupational Classification (MOC) to bring up related civilian occupations. (If you are looking for a specific occupation that doesn’t appear on this list, you can type it in to the search bar in the top right corner.) View an occupation to get a comprehensive list of required knowledge, skills, abilities in civilian language that you can use to describe your military experiences in a resume, cover letter, or interview.
Job Search Websites for Veterans
USA Jobs: The federal government’s employment database for all government agencies
Clearance Jobs: Job search database for people who hold active federal security clearances
CorporateGray.com: Connects veterans with military-friendly employers and sponsors military job fairs and professional networking events
G.I. Jobs – Job search resources and job board for veterans
Hire Heroes USA: Provides free job search assistance to U.S. military members, veterans and military spouses
MilitaryFriendly.com – Includes annual list of Top 100 Military Friendly Employers
RecruitMilitary.com: Free for veterans military-to-civilian recruiting firm
Return to Work: Personalized vocational rehabilitation and employment services for veterans and their spouses, including specialized vocational evaluations, career counseling services, and entry into a nationwide employer network to help you transition back into the workforce
The Mission Continues: Fellowships to empower wounded and disabled veterans to serve in their communities
Local Organizations Providing Career Assistance to Veterans
Idaho Division of Veterans Services: Government agency dedicated to serving Idaho’s veterans and their families. On this page, you can connect with Idaho Department of Labor employment services for veterans, and information about upcoming job fairs and workshops.
Mission 43: The Hire Heroes USA team in Idaho, focused on helping transitioning military, veterans, and military spouses excel in their transition to their next career.
Additional Resources
The Boise State Career Closet provides donated professional clothing at no cost to Boise State students and alumni. Available items are perfect for interviews, career fairs, research conferences and other professional events.
Not a student yet? Here are some resources to explore your options and get started at Boise State:
- Boise State’s Military Programs
- Boise State Veteran Services
- Boise State Veterans Upward Bound Program
You can access links to additional resources for veterans on the Veterans Organizations page of the Idaho Division of Veterans Services website.