Of all the things I’m involved in at The American College of Financial Services, what excites me most is the Penn Mutual Center for Veterans Affairs. Earlier this year, the Center surpassed the $2 million scholarship milestone, but that could easily be $10 million. I believe it is time for us to take this program to the next level.
After 15 years in the Navy, I was planning my next steps as I re-entered civilian life. I was interested in a career in financial services, and I was even taking distance learning classes at The American College to gain the appropriate certifications. Then 9/11 happened…
The idea of character education is something that’s desperately needed in our society, and the idea also resonates with the veterans. One of the biggest challenges facing many veterans is losing that sense of feeling connected to something bigger than themselves. Many of the veterans in Travis Manion Foundation programs have found that working with kids and teaching them about what it means to be a leader is an avenue to regain that connection.
For the past few months, our agency has been busy with an idea we call “High Five a Hero” as a way of showing our thanks to those serving in the military. But we’re also going one step beyond just thanking veterans by recruiting them as advisers.
I joined the Navy for personal reasons. I had dropped out of college, and I felt lost. My great uncle told me stories about my grandfather and how serving in the Navy had changed his life. My mom was against it, but joining the Navy turned out to be the best decision I ever made. Then it came time for me to leave the military and rejoin civilian life.
Penn Mutual asked me to share a little bit about the Travis Manion Foundation and how we work with companies such as Penn Mutual to support the needs of military veterans and their families.
As a former Navy guy, I think financial services is a paramount career option for veterans. Here are the things I tell veterans when they ask about working in financial services.
Interested in finding a disciplined, highly-trained workforce that knows the value of hard work and getting the job done? On Veterans Day, we here at Penn Mutual remember the great sacrifice paid by members of our nation’s military, as well as the possibilities they bring to the American workplace.
Penn Mutual’s sponsorship of a recent 9/11 Heroes Run in support of the Travis Manion Foundation reminded me of my own transition from military to civilian life.
Eileen C. McDonnell
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