Volunteer Spotlight: Ryan
When transitioning from the military to civilian employment, finding success isn’t only about finding a new career. As a former Hire Heroes USA client, Ryan Groves knows this firsthand, and it’s why he devotes time to empowering other military families by volunteering with Hire Heroes USA. When Ryan made his transition to civilian employment after more than 22 years of service with the U.S. Army, he encountered unexpected challenges. It’s something he mentions in his conversations with veterans and military spouses.
“It’s more than a LinkedIn or resume review for me. Oftentimes I share information on taxes, benefits in narrowing down your choices to live, life goals, and a range of other topics,” Ryan said.
His compassion is one of many reasons why Ryan is a valuable resource to our clients, having spent more than 21 hours mentoring service members, veterans and military spouses since April. He also provides a helpful perspective to service members, veterans and spouses who are considering jobs in the federal sector. Ryan continued serving others following his military service, working with Americorps and FEMA as a unit leader.
“I decided to volunteer for [Hire Heroes USA] once I had a firm grasp on the Federal Hiring Preference,” Ryan explained. “This allowed me to help others avoid the mistakes I made along the way and to educate service members and their families on the benefits associated with federal employment.”
Ryan connects with each of the veterans and spouses he talks to and remains invested in their professional journey after their conversations.
“The most rewarding aspect of the process is helping others see their full potential, sharing tips and tricks, providing avenues to employment, and being a resource to confide in,” Ryan said.
Volunteers like Ryan make success after service a reality. If you would like to make a difference in the lives of veterans and military spouses, please click here to learn more about volunteering with Hire Heroes USA.