This Veterans Day, Reach Out to One Veteran Professional

Veterans Day is a good reason to start a conversation. This year, pick one veteran professional and ask for 15 minutes of their time. Mentors from EY, Penske, TriWest, and Cox Enterprises who spoke with student veterans this fall said the same thing: reaching out early and keeping it simple is how student veterans build a network before they need a job.

Key takeaways

• Veterans Day is a natural moment to reach out, because many veteran professionals are glad to hear from student veterans.
• Contact three to five people, ideally at different organizations or in different industries.
• Ask for 15 minutes, say who you are, and say what field interests you.
• Describe your service in terms of projects, results, and leadership.
• End every conversation by asking who else you should speak with.

Why reach out now?

Mentors who joined SVA mentorship sessions at the University of Central Florida and UT Dallas encouraged students to start conversations while they are still in school, not after graduation. Ron DeSilva, Veterans Recruiting Lead at EY (Ernst & Young), said veterans feel an obligation to pay it forward because they remember what their own transition was like. Sean Wilkins, Military Recruiting Manager at Penske Transportation Solutions, described asking a veteran for a short conversation before his own interview, and said it prepared him for it.

Step 1: Pick three to five people

Ron suggested starting with a veteran or alum from your school who works at a company that interests you. It does not have to be someone from your branch of service. Reaching out across different organizations or industries helps you compare what you hear.

You can also find veteran professionals through the employers on the SVA student veteran job board.

Step 2: Send a short message

Keep the request brief and respectful. Say who you are, what you are studying, and which field or company interests you. Ask for 15 minutes, and say you would value their perspective. Here is a message you can adapt:

Hello [Name], I am a [branch] veteran studying [major] at [school]. This Veterans Day I wanted to reach out because I am interested in [field or company], and I would value hearing about your path. Would you have 15 minutes for a short conversation in the next few weeks? Thank you for your service and your time.

Step 3: Describe your service in terms employers value

When the conversation starts, be ready to explain what you did. Ron shared a story about a Navy helicopter pilot whose resume read like an aviation log. When Ron asked what projects he had led, the answer showed project and change management experience that was missing from the resume. Think about the goals you worked toward, the leadership and training you provided, the deadlines you met, and the communication you handled at a young age.

Step 4: Ask for one more name

At UCF, Ron said to always ask for another referral at the end of a conversation. Ask who else you should speak with, and whether you can follow up. He also suggested talking with people who have already made the transition, since they know what you still need to learn.

Step 5: Follow up

Send a thank-you note within a day or two, mention one thing you learned, and let the person know what you did next. A short update a few weeks later keeps the relationship going and gives you a reason to stay in touch.

Next steps

• Pick your first name today and send one message.
• Browse the job board to find employers that hire student veterans.
• Find your next mentorship session on the SVA events page.

If you are an alum or employer partner, this is also a chance to say yes: a 15-minute conversation with a student veteran can make a real difference.

Frequently asked questions

Is it too early to reach out if I am still in school? No. The mentors encouraged students to start conversations while still enrolled, so they can make better decisions along the way.

What if I do not know anyone in my field? Start with veterans or alumni from your school, and ask each person for one referral. Each conversation can lead to the next.

What if the person does not respond? Wait a week or two and send one polite follow-up. If you still do not hear back, move on to the next name on your list.

Sources

• SVA Employment Pathways virtual mentorship sessions: UT Dallas (October 15, 2026) and University of Central Florida (November 4, 2026)
• SVA event pages: career.studentveterans.org/events

Last updated November 10, 2026.