Return to Careers: A National Qualitative Inquiry into the Career Experiences...

“This research project was undertaken…to better understand the process of recovery and re-entry to civilian life faced by veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and/or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) who are returning home from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars; and to help ensure that these veterans find success in the career marketplace” (p. 13-14)

“The approach to this research was twofold. First, [the authors] undertook a literature review on the employment challenges and support needs of veterans with PTSD and/or TBI and the approaches that have been effective in meeting those needs. To augment the findings of the literature review, [the authors] conducted primary research via focus groups and a written survey of demographic indicators administered in concert with more than 200 face-to-face and telephone interviews with veterans, their families, support networks, employers and educators” (p. 8). (Abstractor: Author)

Full Publication Title: Return to Careers: A National Qualitative Inquiry into the Career Experiences, Interests, and Support Needs of Veterans Returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with Traumatic Brain Injuries and/or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

"For businesses to succeed in hiring veterans with PTSD and/or TBI, [the authors] found the following to be key:

• A company-wide commitment, starting from the top, to hiring these veterans
• Education and training to managers and co-workers about PTSD and TBI, how they manifest themselves in the workplace, and how managers and co-workers can help
• Education and training about military culture
• Accommodations such as memory aids, customizable work stations, and environment
• Encouraging disclosure so that employers may provide the most effective accommodations for productivity
• Assignment of an easily accessible job coach or mentor
• Employer access to qualified veterans for recruitment
• Flexibility in structuring job descriptions and work hours
• Clear structure and process for management and advancement; and The present of other veterans in management and leadership" (p. 13). (Abstractor: Author)

• Last Updated:
• Created:
• Resource Publication Date: 2012
• Author(s): No individual author identified
• Organizational Author(s): National Organization on Disability
• Funding Source: Institute for Economic Empowerment at AbilityOne
• Resource Availability: Publicly available
• Posted by: Wesley Peterson
• Posted in: Workforce System Strategies