Hard Work and Perseverance: Paul's Story
On March 13, 2015, DVOP Adams received referral that originally came from the Veterans Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) for Paul a Veteran enrolled in Chapter 31. Paul served in the US Navy from 7/1/82 to 1/30/92 as an Aviation Mechanic. Paul reached the rank of E5, served one tour of duty in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm, before receiving an honorable discharge. Paul came in the OhioMeansJobs Clark County office on April 6, 2015 for a scheduled appointment. Paul’s specific significant barrier to employment was his service-connected disability. DVOP Adams conducted an initial assessment to determine Paul’s employment objectives and specific issues preventing him from self-sufficiency. After completing the initial assessment, DVOP Adams explained services and the reason the VA made a referral, likewise Paul agreed to receive the services. At this point both Paul and DVOP Adams completed an employment development plan (EDP) outlining specific tasks for each to work on that would eventually lead Paul to the ability to seek, apply for, and securing employment. In addition, that would not cause further affects to his service-connected rating with the goal of becoming self-sufficient and completing his employment goals.
During the assessment, Paul mentioned that he has an OhioMeansJobs account however did not have a resume uploaded therefore this was one task that the veteran was to complete on his EDP. In addition, Paul mentioned that he has an Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts (1996), Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management (2002), currently working on a Master’s Degree in Health Services Administration and is supposed to graduate no later than May 17, 2015. Furthermore, Paul mention that while completing the master’s degree he was and currently is working in a paid internship training work program with the Department of Defense in the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMM) that is scheduled to end the day he graduates.
Paul’s employment objectives included Quality Assurance Specialist, Medical Administration Management, or Medical Quality Control however; the main objective for Paul was to complete a dissertation by April 30, 2015, a requirement of the master’s degree curriculum to complete and pass in order to graduate. The other concern for Paul was that once he graduated the paid internship job would end. Therefore, Paul’s second objective was to become a permanent federal employee and continue working where he is already established. Additional, tasks were that the veteran would update his Linked-In profile to increase his network on line and network were he currently works. In addition, the DVOP offered the veteran with some guidance in making his federal resume more marketable.
During a phone call follow-up on April 28, Paul mentioned that he completed and received a passing grade of an A on his dissertation, therefore his graduation date was moved to May 2, 2015. Furthermore, Paul revealed news to the DVOP that he also learned that the internship would become permanent however; he would have to wait until May 7 when the paperwork came back. At this time both Paul and the DVOP agreed that, the necessity to upload a resume to his OhioMeansJobs account was not a priority.
On May 8, 2015, the DVOP communicated with Paul and verified that the paperwork came back and that the Department of Defense converted his internship to a permanent full time position working first shift as a Quality Assurance Specialist making $59,038/year or $28.38/hour. The veteran stated that the employer has allowed the use of ADA accommodation that would allow the veteran to work at a desk that would not have any adverse effects on his service-connected issues.
Services received during the couple weeks while DVOP assisted Paul was case staffing between the Ohio Veterans’ Program and VR&E, and resume assistance in making his federal resume more marketable. Paul stated that he is thankful for the services he received by both VR&E and the Ohio Veterans’ Program and now he can focus on retirement and gives credit to the DVOP, the State Veterans Program, and partner agencies for providing the support, aggressive employment services, and assistance in securing current employment.
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