Texas A&M helps prepare military veterans for the civilian workforce

Serving those who serve is foundational to Texas A&M’s identity, and one program in particular helps pave the way forward for military members making the difficult transition into civilian life and work.

Housed under the U.S. Department of Defense and administered at Texas A&M by Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness, the SkillBridge program offers service members the opportunity to participate in a 90- to 180-day internship at the end of their military service, helping them prepare for a civilian career. Although it is an unpaid opportunity, SkillBridge overlaps with the end of interns’ service in the military, so participants still receive pay and benefits. In addition to gaining work experience, active duty interns receive mentorship and feedback from their managers, networking opportunities and workshop events tailored to military members transitioning into the civilian workforce.

The program is designed specifically to address veterans’ strengths and struggles, aiming to help them become top candidates for hire in the workforce. Various units across Texas A&M have reported that the veteran interns bring a wide variety of important strengths to the job, specifically discipline, leadership and fresh perspectives. Their time in the internship allows them to practice these and other skills needed in civilian roles, so they are better prepared for a more permanent position and embarking on a new career.

Matthew McGuire, information architecture and creative manager for the College of Architecture, described his experience with the program: “The most rewarding aspect of the program was supporting a military member through their transition. The intern I worked with gained valuable new skills and insights, ultimately realizing that the discipline they were exploring wasn’t the right fit for their long-term career goals.”

SkillBridge is currently offered within units across Texas A&M’s main campus — including Technology Services, the Division of Marketing and Communications, and Student Business Services — and the program continues to expand. Interns can apply for whichever position best suits their career interests, and while the goal is to connect them to a full-time position at Texas A&M once the internship ends, the experience is considered a success no matter where they find a full-time position afterward.

In addition to providing practical, marketable job skills, SkillBridge gives interns access to a supportive community of like-minded veterans, which helps to increase morale. Intern Thomas Garrido (U.S. Air Force) said, “SkillBridge creates a foundation of trust and camaraderie that is akin to an extended family where experiences, challenges, successes and failures are genuinely heard — a group where honest feedback is expected and received amicably, never aloof.”

Intern Crystal Barton (U.S. Army) echoed that sentiment, touching on how the university’s values align with those of service members, making the institution a great match for veterans looking to start a new career while leveraging their military background. “It means continuing a legacy of service in a place that values leadership, integrity and community. Texas A&M’s respect for veterans makes it a meaningful and supportive environment to grow professionally while staying connected to my military roots,” she said.

Many of the veterans currently working at Texas A&M have found a community of individuals who understand their experiences in the military and how those experiences have shaped them as employees.

“My military background brings a unique skill set to the university, especially when it comes to staying calm under pressure,” said Shannon Garrett, a U.S. Army veteran who works as a human resources generalist at Texas A&M. “There’s a shared understanding — people get my language, my humor and my perspective. That connection is invaluable because, as service members, we give a part of ourselves in service to our country. We’re bonded by shared experiences, and that creates an incredibly inclusive environment. In the military, we go through the tough times together, and in those moments, differences fade. What matters is the mission and the team. That same spirit lives on in the Aggie veteran community.”

“It’s part of our DNA at Texas A&M to support our veterans and our military. I get to share 31 years of military experience every day with future military and civilian leaders. It means a chance to give back and shape the next generation of servant leaders that will guide our great nation into the future,” said Scott Jackson ’92, who is retired from the U.S. Coast Guard and serves as the strategic support and engagement director for the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets.

By actively serving veterans through programs like SkillBridge, Texas A&M fulfills its mission to cultivate servant leaders, ensuring that the legacy of those who served our nation in uniform can now be channeled into shaping the next generation of leaders in civilian life.

Matt Lockwood, who is retired from the U.S. Marines and serves as Texas A&M SkillBridge program director, summed up the heart behind the program: “The SkillBridge program demonstrates Texas A&M’s commitment to service and leadership. By offering transitioning service members meaningful on-the-job training, we honor their sacrifice, strengthen our workforce and uphold the Aggie Core Values of loyalty, respect and selfless service.”