March 17, 2015
Seminar will link student veterans, employers
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- An upcoming seminar at Southern Illinois University Carbondale will provide an opportunity for student military veterans and potential employers to network.
The “Bridges to Employment” seminar is Tuesday, March 24, in the Student Center Auditorium. The free event runs from 12:30 to 4 p.m.; check-in is from 12:30 to 1 p.m. The seminar is directed toward student veterans in Southern Illinois and interested potential employers, but is open to all veterans.
Registration information is available here or at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/student-veterans-of-america-illinois-presents-bridges-to-employment-tickets-15353141660.
This is one of four regional seminars in Illinois this month by Illinois Joining Forces and Student Veterans of America-Illinois. Paul S. Copeland, SIU Carbondale Veterans Services coordinator, said the event offers student veterans an opportunity to make contacts within their desired career areas.
The goal is to attract private sector, public sector and not-for-profit employment partners to the seminar, Copeland said.
“We want student veterans to explore opportunities and develop networking skills,” he said. “We also want to take the opportunity to highlight the skills veterans bring to the table for potential employers, so the networking opportunity is a two-way street.”
James S. Allen, associate provost for academic programs, will present opening remarks. The seminar will also include a panel discussion with Copeland, Richard M. Killian, founder and CEO of Prospect Equities, a Chicago-based real estate brokerage firm; Justin Emery, a police officer with the university’s Department of Public Safety, and a student veteran. The networking session is from 2:30 to 4 p.m.
This seminar is in addition to the university’s “Soldiers Among Us” initiative later this month that will explore the complexities of the relationship between civilian and military life. Initiative events, March 25-30, are designed to bring members of the campus community and the community at large together for readings, films and discussions.