Caregivers for Veterans face unique challenges when re-entering the workforce. To help address these challenges, Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) partnered with the Wounded Warrior Project to create a Caregiver Fellowship Program.
The program matches caregivers with paid 12-week internships suited to their skill sets and career goals. In turn, caregivers build their professional networks and gain job experience with employers.
Who is eligible?
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
Be a current or previous caregiver. Caregivers include spouses, parents, family members and friends who care for America’s wounded, ill or injured Veterans.
Reside in the United States.
Be unemployed or underemployed.
Have an associate degree or equivalent professional experience/certifications.
Have a resume not exceeding two pages.
Be available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the 12-week fellowship.
Have transportation.
Hiring Our Heroes encourages eligible caregivers to complete the Caregiver Fellowship Program application online. Select “Caregiver of Wounded Warrior” in the Fellow Type dropdown menu.
What to expect?
Once you complete the application, it will be assessed by a Hiring Our Heroes program manager. This process helps caregivers be competitive candidates for their fellowship interviews. Once accepted into the program, caregivers connect with employers based on how closely their skills, education, experience and professional goals align.
Next, host companies select caregivers for fellowships. Fellows undergo 12 weeks of professional training, networking and hands-on experience.
What military caregivers say
“The fellowship helped me secure a full-time and remote job with the flexibility I need to be a caregiver for my husband,” said Rachel Bertolini, a military caregiver working at Trace3 in Denver.
“I needed to do this because I had to be the breadwinner for our family,” said military caregiver Rebecca Williams, who works at BEAT LLC in San Antonio, Texas. “This [program] provided a leg up in my return-to-work journey. [Now] I am on a path to a fulfilling career that provides financial security for my family.”
“Before the fellowship, I struggled to find my next career,” said Michael Gao, a military caregiver working at USAA in Phoenix, Arizona. “The fellowship inspired me to break out from my comfort zone. I discovered professional opportunities that align with my passion in data analytics. It propelled my career forward and changed my life.”
Click HERE to learn more about your eligibility and application process for the Caregivers Fellowship Program.
The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products and services on the part of VA. Veterans should verify the information with the organization offering.
