IT'S OUR MISSION TO SUPPORT YOU
Find veteran connection and community at Oakland University. At OU, we understand the transition from military to civilian life is not easy: It’s leaving behind your military family while choosing a new career and managing different responsibilities. That’s why it’s our mission to support you after you serve. Understanding the unique experiences of our veterans and service members, Oakland University’s Veterans Support Services is here to help you navigate college life and build connections with others in the process.
Consistently rated as a Gold-Level Veteran Friendly School by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, Oakland University proudly supports our military-connected Golden Grizzlies. Whether it’s filling out paperwork, understanding benefits like the G.I. Bil, building an effective resume or landing that perfect internship, we are here to help.
And most importantly, it’s where you build camaraderie and community among those who served.
Transcript
Before I joined the military, I was just this young kid who was trying to go through life. I graduated high school. I went to college. I did all the normal stuff, but there was always something missing. I grew up in Southern California, in San Diego, and I joined the Navy to see the world and to give back to a country that's been so good to me. I served in the Navy for eight years, and the most amazing thing that happened to me was just getting to see so many countries that people don't normally talk about, normally travel to. I made lifelong friends that were in my wedding. It taught me determination. Everything that somebody who is 18- years-old, getting out of high school needs in order to be the best that they can be. When I first got out of the Navy, it was a very scary and a very challenging thing for me. After you sign the paperwork, after everything's done, it can really feel like you're going to lose touch with everybody, and you're going to be alone but that's not true. Before I even came to Oakland University, VSS reached out to me and gave me all the knowledge that I needed to come into Oakland University feeling confident and comfortable as a student. The veterans office here was amazing. Gave me every opportunity that I need to fill out the paperwork, to get the veterans funding, to pay for my school, to make my student experience and my transition just so seamless. One of the things I appreciate most about the VSS office is the community that I've been able to gather since leaving the military. It feels like I'm getting to meet people, and it really brings that community feeling back to me. They also offer career building and resume help, and they helped me land my internship at Fovia. My message to veterans that are getting out would be that no matter what is going on in your life, no matter what place you’re at in your life, you can always make the decision to change it. It might be scary, it might be hard, but once you get into it, once you meet all these amazing people that are here to support you, it’s going to be a lot easier over time and your going to get through it.
