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Since 2012, Veterans to Energy Careers has led the effort in guiding transitioning veterans into meaningful, sustainable careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Now, as Veterans to Naval Careers we’ve expanded to include a broader range of majors such as business and social sciences that support the STEM workforce.
Why is this important?
America faces a persistent shortage in the STEM workforce.
Although universities are producing more STEM graduates, many are international students on temporary visas. To address this gap, we launched the Energy System Technology Evaluation Program (ESTEP) in 2012, a workforce development initiative funded by the Office of Naval Research. ESTEP provided student veterans throughout Southern California and Hawaii with paid internships in alternative energy research, alongside one-on-one mentorship and career development. The results were remarkable: over 99% of our participants received job offers before graduation, with many going on to careers in the Department of Defense (DoD), private sector, and defense industries.
ESTEP’s success laid the foundation for Veterans to Energy Careers (VTEC), established in 2018 as part of the Department of the Navy’s broader effort to bolster the nation’s STEM workforce by tapping into the leadership and experience of military veterans.
Rebranding into Veterans to Naval Careers
We’re excited to announce that Veterans to Energy Careers was rebranded as Veterans to Naval Careers in 2024. This change reflected our evolving focus and expanding mission. With this transition, CSUSM was awarded the second-largest grant in the University’s history, allowing us to continue empowering veterans with enhanced resources.
What’s New?
While our core mission remains the same, we are focusing more than ever on transitioning our interns into full-time, paid positions within the Department of Navy ecosystem. Veterans are uniquely suited to meet the evolving needs of future warfighters, having already served in uniform. Our new focus underscores the vital role veterans will play in advancing national defense.
Our Mission
Veterans to Naval Careers (VNC) recruits and develops the future Veteran workforce leading the scientific research and technology development for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps through partnerships with academia, industry, and government.
Our Vision
Veterans to Naval Careers (VNC) will become the Navy and Marine Corps’ #1 provider of Veteran interns and employees.
“This unique program merges academia, naval commands and industry to advance energy technologies and develop the nation’s STEM workforce by leveraging the resources of the triad. ”
What We Do
We get veterans from where they are to where they want to be. Whether their goal is to be a technician or an engineer, we leverage our partnerships with institutions of higher learning, the government, and private sectors to provide veterans with mentorship and internship opportunities while developing their soft skills and career readiness.
What We've Achieved
The internships, coupled with one-on-one career development, resulted in 99%+ job offers before graduation!
Our alumni have moved on to careers in the DOD as well as the private and defense industries.