In preparation for Veterans Day this weekend, there's no better time to recognize and reflect on the contributions of the industry's veteran population—both in their service to our country and in the work they do every day to connect Americans through internet and television. Cable operators and programmers make efforts year-round to recruit, hire and train these men and women to ensure a smooth transition to civilian life, and to utilize the great talent and abilities they gained during their years of public service, and for good reason. Their experiences and work ethic add the diversity of thought and skills that the industry needs to succeed.
Charter is one of those companies that has made veteran recruitment and training a priority. With an array of programs and resources, veterans have opportunities to expand their skillsets through a Broadband Technician Apprenticeship Program and to receive transition training through Charter's Career Resource Center, which begins even before the individual has officially made his or her separation from the military.
Comcast also pledges a deep commitment to hiring veterans through its participation in recruitment and retention programs including Hiring Our Heroes, Veteran Job Mission and HirePurpose. Its online portal offers a plethora of mentorship and professional development opportunities for veterans. And Cox's partnership with RecruitMilitary gives veterans a place to connect with potential employers. The ISP has their recruiters undergo training to help ensure smooth transitions for new veteran employees, and offers career development training for veterans looking for resume-writing tips and job interview assistance.
This is just a small sampling of the efforts underway to honor and recruit America's veterans into the cable workforce, where their background and skillsets will go far and where customers, communities and fellow employees will only benefit from their influence.
In video interviews, veterans in the industry discussed their experiences transitioning to the cable industry. Rose Roth, a U.S. Air Force veteran and winner of the Martha Soehren Veterans Fellowship through WICT—a one-year program designed to build leadership development skills in the industry—works in Comcast Business Operations and said that Comcast took the time to help her transition from military to civic life. "It's [working in the industry] opened doors for me that have enabled me to obtain training through WICT and networking and the opportunity to be a voice. And not just a voice, but a female veteran voice."
Greg O'Brien, a U.S. Army Veteran, now works in advertising sales at A+E Networks and credits his current success in media to his military experience: "We veterans bring that sense of teamwork and camaraderie to the table. At A&E, you're not just on your own."
Patrick King, an IT project manager at Charter, spent 20 years serving in the U.S. Air Force working on radios, setting up networks and running fiber to buildings, and explained that the work he did during his years of service resembles a lot of what he does today. "The telecommunications industry is good for veterans, because that's where the future is. It's in technology. I'm very excited to be doing what I'm doing," he added.
Check out the video interviews at Mission Media—cable's industry-wide intiative that supports the hiring and well-being of veterans—to hear more of our veterans' voices.