Matthew Kirschenman was a U.S. Marine intelligence specialist in Asia and the Middle East for five years, helping facilitate the first democratic elections in Iraq and earning medals for his leadership and drive.
But when it came to knowing what to say and do for a job interview back in the U.S., he was at a loss.
“I never had a corporate job,” says Mr. Kirschenman, 29. “I needed someone to translate what my military experiences meant . . . and show me how to dramatically improve my résumé and interviewing skills.”
That person was Andrew Miller, director of global marketing at Chicago-based Aon Corp. and a mentor at New York-based American Corporate Partners, a national program that helps veterans transition from the military to the corporate world through mentoring, career counseling and networking. Aon, one of dozens of companies involved with ACP, has about 50 employees working as mentors.
Military advocates say programs like ACP can be invaluable in getting unemployed or underemployed veterans on the right career track after their service. Mr. Kirschenman, now a graduate student at the University of Chicago's Harris School of Public Affairs, says Mr. Miller's advice clearly helped him secure offers, including for his current job as an intern in the government affairs office at J. P. Morgan Chase & Co. in Chicago. The two interacted so much that they're now friends.
“I'm very passionate about supporting those who've served our country,” Mr. Miller says. “These are people who've sacrificed a lot . . . and I absolutely feel it's my duty to help them.”
