To celebrate Veteran’s Day (Nov. 11), the Career Management Center at The University of Texas at Dallas‘ Naveen Jindal School of Management will be supporting the UT Dallas chapter of the Student Veterans of America by holding an exclusive event on Nov. 12. All U.S military veterans associated with UT Dallas — students, alumni, faculty and staff — are invited to attend and participate.
The event will include a lunch mixer in the lobby by event sponsor RSM US Foundation during which employer representatives will help student veterans learn valuable networking and small-talk skills. Short employer-led info sessions will be held in the CMC’s seminar rooms on a rolling basis for students. Interview rooms at the CMC will also be reserved for employer interviews with UTD student and alumni veterans.
Leaders from the UT Dallas SVA chapter, along with Tom Kim, assistant dean of the CMC, and Lisa Foster, assistant director for corporate relations at the CMC, are spearheading the event. Kim said the inspiration came from a shared commitment to helping veterans translate their service experience into meaningful post-military careers.
“Veterans bring exceptional leadership, teamwork and problem-solving skills, yet we often see them undersell those strengths in civilian career settings,” Kim said. “By joining forces, the CMC and the SVA wanted to close that gap — ensuring that veterans not only receive career support but also connect directly with employers who value their unique experiences and perspectives.”
Kim said the event’s purpose is to create a space where employers can recognize the tremendous talent within UT Dallas’ student veteran community, which numbers 1,400, and where veterans can confidently explore career pathways that align with their goals, values and skills.
“Ultimately, this collaboration reflects our university’s broader mission: empowering every student, including those who have served our country, to find purpose-driven success in the next chapter of their professional journey,” Kim said.
The event is a great example of how the CMC continues to stand behind those who have served our country, added Kim, who served in the U.S. Navy as a supply officer.
“Our commitment goes beyond simply offering resources — it’s about creating real opportunities for veterans and their families to thrive in their academic and professional journeys,’ he said. “This event connects them directly with employers who understand the value of their experience, while also showcasing the strength of our veteran community to the broader campus and corporate partners.”
As of Oct. 24, the following companies and organizations have confirmed their participation in the event: Bell Flight/Textron, City of Dallas, Emerson, Ericsson, Geico, Google, JPMorgan Chase, Lennox, Parkland Hospital, PGIM, RSM US Foundation, Siemens and Verizon.
“At RSM, we’re proud to support Student Veterans of America and their mission to empower student veterans to reach their full potential—both inside and beyond the classroom,” said Michael Mulcahy, RSM’s military talent leader. “By utilizing the RSM US Foundation’s University Impact Fund to sponsor this year’s Post Service ROI Vet Connect event, we underscore RSM’s commitment in creating opportunities for military talent to grow, connect, and contribute their unique perspectives — not just on campus, but in business and across our communities.”
The biggest challenge veterans face when transitioning to civilian careers is translating their military experience into language that resonates with employers, Kim said.
“We try to highlight their leadership, discipline and problem-solving skills used in the military,” he said. “Another challenge can be rebuilding a professional network outside of the military and finding employers who truly understand and appreciate their background. We provide tailored coaching, career readiness workshops and employer networking events that help veterans confidently tell their story and connect with corporations eager to hire talent with their skills and mindset.”
Jinsik (Jay) Kim, a human resource management senior at the Jindal School and SVA chapter vice president, is a U.S. Army veteran who served for nearly six years before embarking on his educational journey.
“Lisa and the SVA UT Dallas chapter leadership initiated this event to provide veteran students with the resources and tools they can utilize during their academic life,” Kim said. “I faced challenges after leaving the military. Therefore, I am here to share my opinions and encourage our military-connected students to join the event. It would open veteran students’ eyes to recognizing that the employers are here to support them, as they transition out of the service.”
Andrew McAlexander, a healthcare studies senior in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, is chapter president. He said veterans bring a wealth of leadership experience, adaptability and a mission-first mindset that strengthens the campus community.
“Many of us have worked in high pressure environments where teamwork and accountability are essential,” he said. “Those same skills translate into collaborative projects, research, and classroom discussions.”
McAlexander said that since veterans are trained to give it their all for the mission to protect the freedoms of this nation, they are accustomed to giving that same dedication to their education and professional success.
“I wanted to put our veterans in front of employers because I know that we are ready and hot to go for the next chapter in our lives from which these employers will benefit. I hope that our veteran community will recognize the unique skill set they bring to the table. We invested our entire lives into the service of this nation and now we are on a mission to make strides post-service. I know these employers see this in us and I wanted to provide an opportunity to have more of an intimate interaction with them.”
As a veteran, the national holiday has personal meaning for Tom Kim.
“Veterans Day is always a special day of reflection for me, a time to honor the people I served alongside and to remember the shared sense of purpose and sacrifice that comes with military service,” he said. “It’s also a reminder of the responsibility we all have to continue that service in new ways once we take off the uniform.”
