Solutions from Ukraine: Ukrainian NGO teams up with partners to launch social series and free guide for post-service careers
The team handed over 650 copies to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, which will be distributed among combat units. Photo: Green Stripe
A Ukrainian NGO has teamed up with partners and veterans to introduce a social series and provide a free guide for post-service careers. These educational resources are designed using veterans' firsthand experiences.
What is the problem?
Anti-terrorist Operation / Joint Forces Operation's experience
According to the study conducted by the project, "There is a job for a veteran!" in 2021-2022, 80% of veterans did not mention their military experience in their resumes. The study found that the main reasons for this were personal doubts, including concerns about facing discrimination during the selection process.
Some of the concerns were valid, as there were dishonest employers who chose not to hire veterans, citing potential issues with their mental state or lack of skills. However, as the survey indicates, military background did not hinder most employers. What truly matters are both soft and hard skills.
Experience of the full-scale war
According to the Ukrainian Veterans Fund's analysis, as of 2024, only 13.3% of surveyed veterans did not face any difficulties securing employment. The most prevalent obstacles reported were health issues, personal mental well-being, and loss of skills during service.
Additionally, nearly 42% mentioned that their employer maintained their position during their time in the military, while around 26% reported that their job was not retained. Approximately 16% stated that they were fired before mobilization.
For some service members, returning to civilian life becomes a challenge and a trigger, so they consciously do not want to leave military service.
"We frequently communicated with the defenders and would ask them, "Where do you plan to go next?" We understood that it can be challenging to find purpose and fulfillment after serving in the military. Many individuals are released from service due to health issues or injuries, meaning they return to civilian life facing significant health challenges. An obstacle that many veterans struggle with is unemployment or a lack of fulfillment for over a year, which may lead some to turn to alcohol or substance abuse. Sadly, this can cause relationships within families to break down. It's a devastating feeling to take off the uniform and feel like you have been deserted," Oleksandr Kuklyshyn, head of the Green Stripe veterans' organization, says.
What is the solution?
"Having a job, money, and stable employment can be healing for a person. The earlier someone learns how to navigate this process, the quicker and more successful they will be in finding a job," Oleksandr is convinced.
The Green Stripe organization, alongside veterans and partners, developed a social series called "How to Find Your Desired Job Post-Military" and released a complimentary guide titled "Attaining Professional Success After Military Service." These resources offer practical guidance on securing employment, drawing from veterans' personal experiences. The team has also incorporated insights from psychologists and employers and the expertise of American veterans, such as the veteran organization Pittsburgh Hires Veterans.
Training mission to America in 2019 under the IVLP program. Photo: Green Stripe
The series, which took over two years to film, features real veterans sharing their stories of return. The cast includes a former military surgeon who now leads an expert group at the Ministry of Health, a former deputy company commander who works as a financial analyst, and a former intelligence officer who now works as a self-defense instructor.
How does it work?
The guide consists of several sections that describe the complexity of the transition from military service to civilian life, myths that a veteran may encounter when looking for a job, and the need to seek support from psychologists, relatives, or mentors.
Guide. Photo: Green Stripe
As Oleksandr pointed out, a large portion of the guide focuses on helping veterans discover their identities. Many veterans struggle to comprehend how and where they can impact outside of their military experiences.
"We had a case (in addition to the guide, the organization conducts events and training for veterans) where we agreed with several organizations to teach veterans IT skills, and we, in turn, helped with employment. However, out of 100 individuals who participated, only 30-40% chose to pursue a career in IT, as many held misconceptions about this field. This is why our guide emphasizes the importance of discovering one's identity to select the most suitable civilian profession," the head adds.
The organization also works in the regions because there is a significant demand from veterans and military personnel. Photo: Green Stripe
Based on the organization's experience, employers typically dismiss job applicants because they lack critical skills that can be further developed. For instance, if the job requires working closely with others and the applicant does not seem to be a team player. To address this, the guide advises crafting a solid resume, evaluating one's skills and strengths, and engaging in exercises to explore personal values, aspirations, and uncertainties. This valuable resource aims to assist veterans in effectively showcasing their abilities for a civilian career.
"It is crucial for a veteran to demonstrate their effectiveness and establish their competitiveness. This allows individuals working in a company to see their value based on their contributions and not just their status as a "combat participant." Veterans must maintain a sense of dignity," Oleksandr says.
Exchange of experience in the regions. Odesa. Photo: Veterans Hub Odesa
The team works alongside established veteran organizations, medical and rehabilitation institutions, and governmental entities to distribute the guide among the targeted audience. Those identifying as veterans or related to service members seeking employment assistance can obtain a complimentary hard copy of the guide by contacting the team through their social media channels.
For reference:
Since 2016, the Green Stripe veterans' organization has been dedicated to providing medical rehabilitation services for veterans. Working with partners, the organization has successfully performed over 100 complimentary surgeries and provided over 1,000 medical consultations. As part of their efforts, the team has also expanded their services to include webinars on employment, an educational series, and a guide specifically designed for veterans.
It should be noted that "Blyzki" is a program specifically designed to offer military personnel, veterans, and their families the opportunity to acquire new skills, participate in creative workshops, and establish connections with others with similar interests. Rubryka's article provides more information about the program's operations.
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