Of the career options considered by the servicemembers, veterans, and spouses assisted by MOAA’s transition experts, entrepreneurship may be the most daunting.
Fortunately, those seeking to create a small business, or to establish a consulting or contracting practice, have multiple resources at their disposal, some of which are exclusive to the uniformed services community. And while national-level programs may provide some benefits, many future entrepreneurs may benefit from “going local”:
- Need to learn more about potential business partners in your community and expand your professional network? Find your chamber of commerce.
- Seeking specialized training? Connect with a nearby American Job Center, a program sponsored by the Department of Labor.
- Want help with your business plan, or seeking a mentor? Learn more at your nearest Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC), a program from the Small Business Administration (SBA).
VBOCs are staffed by veteran business experts who can answer questions and help you excel in all stages of the contract process, from writing proposals to filing the winning bid. Programs include SBA’s 8(a) Development program or the SBA Mentor Protégé program.
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If you are interested in federal government contracting, MOAA recommends that veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses be certified via SBA’s VetCert program. This certification is essential to compete for sole-source and set-aside contracts from the federal government.
Seeking more traditional employment? Be sure to attend the next MOAA Virtual Career Fair and Hiring Event, set for Aug. 21 at 11:30 a.m. Eastern. Here are just a few of the military- and veteran-friendly companies set to participate:
- AAA Club Alliance, Inc.
- Credence Management Solutions
- Leidos
- Ricoh USA, Inc.
- Sirva Worldwide, Inc.
- Synchrony
- U.S. Department of Labor
Don't miss this opportunity to have a conversation with your potential future employer. Register today!
