CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Veterans transitioning to civilian live can be a challenge, and launching into a new career is difficult, even for someone with decades of service.
“There's a lot of rigorous tradition within the Army," Lt. Col. Jason Kim, 2nd Medical Recruiting Battalion Commander of the U.S. Army, said. "There’s certain ways of training which is appropriately done for combat or whatever duties you have to do, so that culture can sometimes be a shift."
That shift is now made easier with the help of the Army Partnership for Your Success Program, also called the PaYS program.
It helps active duty and retired military members get ahead by creating a pathway to translate their skills into the workforce.
“It gives them a focus of what is out there, instead of guessing, it provides connection more importantly," Kim said.
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On Tuesday, Atrium Health officially partnered with the U.S. Army to enhance its pool of candidates to fill its positions, while easing the transition for veterans into non-military careers.
“Entry level, maintenance, clinical engineering, pharmacy," Naomi Dolohanty, who is the vice president of talent acquisition for Atrium Health, said. "There are a lot of skills developed in the Army with folks, that once they transition out, we want to be there as a partner to transition them into their next career.”
Troops in corporate America, now being seen as an untapped resource, especially in an industry in need of workers.
"We have a lot of jobs open and throughout the country you see that, throughout health care, and so, having partnerships like these where we can be deliberate and connecting with folks who have an interest in working in health care and pursing their next purpose or passion," Dolohanty said.
It's a goal Kim has been able to pursue as a pharmacist.
“I feel that the Army has helped provide that pathway with the training for me to reach certain successes and elements within different jobs," Kim said.
In the Charlotte region, Atrium Health employs more than 850 former or current members of the military.
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