Are you driven, able to perform under intense stress, mission-oriented and believe that failure is not an option? If so, the financial industry just might be the right place for you.
And don't worry about not having a master's degree. There are financial companies that recognize the value of military service and have programs that help mentor vets and get them started in a rewarding financial services career.
Military.com rounded up the top five veteran employer programs in the financial services industry. And remember, while an MBA is not required, some programs require a bachelor's degree. See specific programs for details on requirements and how to apply.
1. Citi
Headquartered in New York, Citi has a reputation for a strong veteran-friendly work culture that includes a veteran mentor employee resource group and a Military Officer Leadership Program (MOLP).
Citi's MOLP supports military officers in their transition with a two-year training program that includes classroom-based instruction, coaching and mentoring, and other initiatives that harness veterans' natural leadership skills and mission-driven mindset.
According to its website, "each program member's experience begins with business orientation and immersion targeted for their specific experience level. This introductory training period is designed to prepare participants fully for success so they can hit the ground running and immediately influence the business."
To find out more about its program, visit Citi's Military Officer Leadership Program.
Related: Search for Veteran Jobs
2. Drexel Hamilton
Drexel Hamilton, headquartered in New York, is an investment bank that is 100% owned and operated by service-disabled veterans.
Lawrence Doll, a Marine Corps Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient, founded Drexel Hamilton in 2007 after a successful career in real-estate investment.
According to its website, Drexel Hamilton "is committed to maintaining its core mission and value by promoting the continued access to meaningful employment and careers for service-disabled veterans of our nation's armed forces."
Drexel Hamilton has a unique "Vet-with-a-Vet" mentorship program that pairs veterans with Wall Street veterans to help them learn the fundamentals. Next, it uses its extensive network in finance and on Wall Street to help place them in positions within Drexel Hamilton or other well-known Fortune 500 companies.
To find out more, visit Drexel Hamilton's career site for veterans and then contact it through the webform on its "contact" page.
3. Goldman Sachs
Goldman Sachs, headquartered in New York, emphasizes that it values an employee's ability to work toward a common mission, and it recognizes that veterans are well-trained team members.
According to its website, "the Goldman Sachs Veterans Integration Program (VIP) provides service men and women exiting the military with an opportunity to develop their professional skills, strengthen their understanding of financial services and prepare for careers in the industry."
The program is a paid internship that places the veteran in a position suited for their experience level and allows them time to complete a curriculum that includes "a series of training on financial markets and products, networking opportunities and events with Goldman Sachs leaders who share career experiences and insights into the firm's culture."
In addition to personalized training, veterans are paired with a mentor from the company's veterans employee resource group to help further guide them in their professional development.
For more information, veterans should visit Goldman Sach's Veteran Integration Program.
4. JPMorgan Chase & Co.
JPMorgan Chase's ideal candidate reads like a dictionary definition of a military veteran.
According to its website, it is looking for "capable, results-oriented leader[s] who work well under pressure; motivated self-starter[s] able to assimilate into new environments."
JPMorgan Chase, headquartered in New York, actively recruits military veterans while they are still in undergraduate studies. Veteran students are ideally situated to land a job before they even finish their education.
Eligible student veterans or veterans with a bachelor's degree are "guided through the various career opportunities available at the firm in this hands-on introduction to global financial services." If they are selected, veterans will be placed in one of the company's many internship programs and guided through with one-on-one mentoring and instruction.
To find out more, visit JPMorgan Chase's Early Insight program.
5. USAA
USAA's commitment to active-duty military, spouses and veterans is robust and includes hiring preferences, numerous internship programs, and a veteran employee resource group called VETNET.
In addition to utilizing Military.com's MOS Translator and Personality Assessment, USAA offers these transition programs:
Combat to Claims
This program, offered to active-duty troops, spouses and veterans, gives them the training they need to become auto claims adjusters, as well as professional development to encourage career growth.
Veteran Transition Leadership Development (VetsLeaD)
This 12-month program helps recently hired USAA veteran employees by assessing and identifying areas of potential growth in their business skills and education by providing them with the necessary training to close that gap between their experience and education.
Enterprise Veteran Sponsor Program
This group aims to pair veterans with other USAA veterans to help facilitate mentoring and transition advice.
In addition to these programs, USAA has also partnered with and supports the following organizations: Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), Military Spouse Corporate Career Network/Corporate America Supports You (MSCCN/CASY), Military Spouse Employee Partnership (MSEP), U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Hiring Our Heroes, Disney Veterans Institute, American Corporate Partners, Military Spouse Juris Doctorate Network (MSJDN), Veterati and Hire Heroes USA.
To find out more, visit USAA's veteran employment website.
-- Sean Mclain Brown can be reached at sean.brown@military.com. Follow him on Twitter at @seanmclainbrown.
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