The Final State of the Union
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Summary:
Nicolas Terrazas, an Army veteran, explains why it's so important that America fights to support those who fought for us. He says that veterans need help translating the skills they gain in the military to jobs in the civilian workforce.
Watch Army Veteran Nicolas Terrazas, here.
Nicolas Terrazas joined the Army Reserves in 2002, and was deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan during his eight years in the Reserves. He’s currently pursuing a bachelor of science in information technology with the help of the Post 9/11 GI Bill while working as a systems administrator for a government contractor.
Terrazas said that the skills he gained in the military enabled him to be a better employee on the civilian side because he’s able to determine and deliver what his customers want. He supports President Obama’s initiatives to help connect veterans with jobs and career services because while his personal support network helped him find a job after leaving the military, he said that the process for veterans starting from scratch is much more daunting.
“These individuals have served their country and still look to serve in other capacities, even if it’s not in the military, if they’re coming back and making the straight transition to civilian to the civilian world, they’re still looking to support the economy…and give back,” he said. “The same way they’ve provided their services, risking their lives in service to this country, the same effort should be put back.”
Read more:
Despite the fact that our veterans have unique skills and experiences that make them excellent hires for any civilian business, their unemployment rate tops 12 percent. Read the stories of veterans like Nicolas who have struggled to transition their skills into new careers and find out why fighting for these heroes is a priority for the Obama Administration.
