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COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - South Carolina has launched a new program to help veterans transition from military to civilian life as Veterans Day approaches. The South Carolina Smart Start program provides a virtual guide that connects transitioning service members with resources organized by county, including employment opportunities, education programs, healthcare services and community support. Erica Jones, senior workforce development coordinator with the South Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs, said the program helps veterans map out their journey into civilian life. Jones is a veteran who transitioned from military service a year ago. “This is what this program or platform, the South Carolina Smart Start, is going to do for our transitioning service members,” Jones said. “It’s going to help them map out their journey into civilian life.” The platform allows veterans to filter resources by county to find services in their specific area of interest. Veterans can access education resources, employment opportunities, healthcare options and community services tailored to their chosen location. Jones said one of the biggest challenges veterans face is translating military experience into civilian terms that employers can understand. “One of the challenges is being able to translate what you’ve done in the military, all the experience that you’ve gained, all of the knowledge that you’ve gained, into a civilian resume,” Jones said. Veterans must also adapt to civilian workplace culture after years of military routine and terminology, she said. The Smart Start program includes training modules to help veterans build resumes and develop interview skills. The platform is continuously updated based on user feedback to better serve transitioning service members. Jones said the program aims to make the transition as seamless as possible, providing tools so veterans “can go right into, you know, a business suit or a uniform, where it’s a police officer or medical, or if they want to, you know, go into just a regular, you know, a business or private sector job.” The program encourages veterans to reach out to state agencies and find mentors who have successfully made the transition. “Just encourage them that there are resources out there, there are things available for them so that they don’t have to walk this journey alone,” Jones said. The South Carolina Smart Start program is available at scdvasmartstart.sc.gov. Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with WIS. For more free content like this, subscribe to our email newsletter, and download our apps. Have feedback that can help us improve? Click here.
