Every November we honor those who served and those currently serving in our Armed Forces, paying tribute to their sacrifices. This November, the Ericsson Veterans Alliance (EVA) spoke with veteran tower climber Shaniqua White to learn more about how Ericsson and other businesses can help support veterans in the workplace and beyond.
The Ericsson Veterans Alliance is an Employee Resource Group (ERG) that aims to promote veteran causes and improve the lives of current and former service members within and outside of Ericsson. From the skills veterans bring to the table to the importance of veteran-friendly workplaces, here’s what you need to know to create a supportive environment.
Military skillsets can translate to the workplace
White shared her experience transitioning back to civilian life, finding a job she enjoys and can excel at, and how the military equipped her with the skills to build her career, all while balancing being one of the few women in her position. Thankfully, the skills she learned in the military came in handy here, too.
While no soldier shares their exact experience in service with another, common traits such as discipline, timeliness, and dedication are expected and demanded across the Armed Forces. In the civilian workforce, these attributes are highly valued and indicate an ability to see a task through from start to finish. Pride and humility – while at first seem to be at odds with one another – combine in many soldiers to build resilience and strong teamwork skills. And finally, the willingness to learn is a crucial asset that enables soldiers to adapt and overcome, regardless of circumstance.
PTSD is real – and it’s time to break the stigma
PTSD and injuries inflicted while in service have long-lasting consequences for returning service members. While everyone has personal issues that they wrestle with in life, it is important to be respectful of what veterans may have gone through and to do what is in our power to better support those who may be struggling. Acknowledging PTSD and service-related injuries is the first step – but it should not impede veterans in the hiring process. To destigmatize PTSD and service-related injuries, it is vitally important that we all discuss and educate ourselves about these issues. When we support one another, we all succeed.
When companies step up, veterans can thrive
White shared that one of the hardest parts of transitioning to civilian work was finding a job that cared about its veteran employees. When she came to Ericsson, she felt a huge sense of camaraderie when she realized how many of her coworkers are veterans. As helpful as it was to have skills that transferred to the workplace, she felt that the supportive environment is what really helped ease the transition.
Adjusting to civilian life can be difficult for many veterans. Having a support system that is understanding, supportive, and steadfast is crucial. This is where companies like Ericsson can step up. Companies like ours can look to veteran hiring organizations like SkillsBridge or Hiring Our Heroes to recruit veterans who are re-entering the civilian world.
Outside of simply hiring veterans, additional resources must be available. These resources can be veteran-oriented Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), mental health benefits, and providing open forums for people to talk about their experiences. At Ericsson, ERGs offer a safe space for veterans and allies to gather and support each other. This kind of engagement and support is especially important for people who have newly separated from the military.
In support of our veteran community, Ericsson North America announced a pledge to donate $10,000 to the National Medal of Honor Museum currently underway in Arlington, Texas. This museum will highlight the service and sacrifice of all members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have been awarded the Medal of Honor by telling their stories. We are honored to be involved with this organization and excited about more opportunities to collaborate in the future.
As we celebrate during this time of thanks, we reflect on the sacrifices veterans have made throughout our nation’s history, and we look forward to continuing to find new ways to support those who have served.
