Veterans to Engineers provides new paths
Y-12 supports our nation’s veterans with new opportunities through the Veterans to Engineers program.
OAK RIDGE, Tenn — Y‑12 is supporting our nation’s veterans with new opportunities through the Veterans to Engineers program.
VTE, which was started in 2007, gives veterans the opportunity to work at Y‑12 part‑time while pursuing a degree in engineering, with the potential for a full‑time position after completing the program.
Participants also get the chance to complete multiple job rotations while in the program. These rotations don’t just offer real‑world experience — they also show participants a variety of potential career paths to follow.
Rotations are one way that VTE Manager Matt P. encourages members to grow as engineers.
“I try to get them outside of their comfort zones,” Matt said. “I look at their strengths and opportunities for growth and align those with a rotation to gain experience in their field of study. Helping each participant develop is a nuanced process. The VTE interns are at different stages of their schooling, in different engineering disciplines, with varied backgrounds that they bring to the table. I work with them individually to identify the best path forward.”
Shannon G., a current VTE member, is making the most of his time in the program.
“My personal goal is to see what I can achieve and learn in rotations,” he said. “Learning from other engineers has been valuable, and I take something from every rotation to the next. There’s so much out here, and it’s good collaborating with other groups and speaking their language.”
Shannon previously spent 22 years in Safeguards and Security, and was in the Army and Marine Corps prior to coming to Y‑12. To him, VTE was a natural step forward.
“I had the opportunity to become an engineering instructor in the Army, and it made sense to continue something I already had experience in,” he said. “My goal has always been to not just do the bare minimum — I want to do something extra to be more valuable to the team.”
Rick S., a VTE graduate who now works in Division Managed Design as a piping engineer, found a career at Y‑12 as a result of the program.
“Engineering was always in the back of my mind — I never really loved school, but my dad was a civil engineer and I grew up around it,” Rick said. “It took an opportunity like VTE to give me the push to get the ball rolling.”
He found a variety of benefits through VTE, from experience to community.
“The biggest benefit was being able to gain practical engineering knowledge and have that experience working on site while also working on my degree,” Rick said. “Knowing there’s a place here for you when you finish school is another big benefit. We also had a tight knit group of people in my class, so it was nice knowing you were in it together.”
Growing as an engineer isn’t the program’s only focus, though. A major aspect of VTE is providing a smoother avenue as they transition out of the military.
Matt P., a veteran himself, knows how difficult that transition can be.
“Transitioning out of the military and into civilian life is shocking for many veterans,” he said. “VTE at Y‑12 helps them to find a new career.”
VTE provides many benefits for Y‑12, too. Participants can bring their experience, expertise, and education to each of their rotations, where a new perspective can make a world of difference.
“Ideally, participants will be able to bring their skills and experience from the military to the Y‑12 environment,” Matt P. said. “This lets them see problems through a different lens and navigate barriers to find success. I hope they can find meaning in mission‑driven work, and a new mission‑focused community outside of the military.”
Shannon G. agreed, saying, “Veterans have leadership experience and have learned practical applications from real life. We all volunteered and have a sense of pride and contribution.”
More information about the program can be found on the Y‑12 website. For questions, email VetsToEngineers@y12nsc.doe.gov.
“For any veteran thinking about applying — you should,” Shannon said. “Challenge yourself and you’ll be surprised at what you can do. I thought I’d be limited, but here I am learning and growing. It’s natural for veterans.”