How Colleges Can Support Student Veterans in Campus-to-Career Transitions

Although veterans’ pathways into college are increasingly well documented, their transitions from college into the workforce remain understudied. Because student veterans are typically older than their peers and often carry greater family responsibilities, a smooth college-to-workforce transition is especially critical for their long-term success. To better understand the challenges faced by student veterans during this transition, in March 2026, the RAND Epstein Family Veterans Policy Research Institute partnered with several universities in San Diego, California, to hold a workshop titled “Supporting Student Veterans and Their Transition to Civilian Careers in San Diego.” The workshop brought together veterans, representatives from five veteran-serving regional universities, and staff from local veteran-serving nonprofit organizations.

Workshop participants identified three primary challenges facing student veterans during the college-to-workforce transition. First, student veterans often lack sufficient information about career options when choosing a major, which can lead to delayed progress, major changes, or a degree misaligned with their career goals. Second, many student veterans enroll in college soon after leaving the military. During this transition, they might experience a loss of military identity and community and have difficulties building new civilian and professional networks. Third, student veterans encounter administrative obstacles, particularly around credit transfers and work-based learning opportunities.

To address these challenges, participants recommended that colleges actively support student veterans through career exploration programs, mentoring, and workshops; help student veterans develop professional and interpersonal skills, such as networking and interviewing; and reduce administrative burdens related to credits for prior military training and participation in work-based learning programs.