University of Phoenix Survey on Military Mental Health and Civilian Workforce Transition Experiences Finds Veterans Have Confidence in Their Skills
May 09 2024 - 12:07PM
Business Wire
Survey informed development of Veteran
Workforce Optimization Roadmap, which encourages and guides
employers to leverage veterans' skills and wellness for benefit of
their entire workforce
During Military Appreciation Month in May, University of Phoenix
and Give An Hour are highlighting the findings of a survey
commissioned by the Harris Poll on behalf of University of Phoenix
in which the majority of U.S. military members— 78 percent— have
confidence in the skills that they bring to their post-military
career. The survey was part of a larger initiative by University of
Phoenix working with the nonprofit Give an Hour and other large
employers to develop The Veteran Workforce Optimization Roadmap and
help employers build a more supportive workforce environment for
veterans.
“Veterans bring unique capabilities and the spirit of service to
their civilian careers,” states Eric Ryan, senior director of
military operations in the Office of Military and Veteran Affairs
at University of Phoenix. Ryan is a veteran of the U.S. Marine
Corps, and a member of the task force that helped develop the
workplace resource for employers. “The survey findings highlight
the strengths and opportunities of a veteran workforce that enrich
their environment and can be leveraged by employers for the benefit
of a whole organization.”
Designed to revolutionize organizations through guided change
management processes, the Veteran Roadmap is a strategic
intervention tailored to the unique needs and limitations of each
organization. The consultative approach with Give an Hour experts
addresses the evolving challenges and opportunities in Diversity,
Equity, and Inclusion, and also engages initiatives critical to
hiring and retaining veterans. This adaptability is key to
maintaining a competitive edge in today’s dynamic business
environment.
According to the survey, at least half of active and non-active
military members identify qualities or soft skills, like the
ability to perform under pressure, leadership skills, and
problem-solving skills, to be among the most important qualities
gained as a service member. These skills, including the ability to
adapt to a rapidly changing environment, are also skills that
military members agree improved greatly due to joining the
military.
The survey also found that nearly half of employed non-active
military believe they are underemployed and working under their
current skill level. At least four in five military members agree
that they need more education to be successful in a civilian
workplace, and that their ideal career requires additional
education or training.
Besides being Military Appreciation Month, May is also Mental
Health Awareness Month, and the survey's mental health findings
also discovered that most U.S. military members (93%) agreed that
mental health is as important as physical health, although a third
of military members (33%) reported never seeking out professional
counseling, despite the majority experiencing lack of sleep (69%)
and anxiety (61%). While nearly two-thirds of active or non-active
members have sought professional counseling, for those who have
not, at least one-third did not do so because they did not want to
be perceived as weak.
“Transitioning into the civilian workforce and encountering
workplace stress creates risk factors for military veterans, and
they can greatly benefit from a supportive work environment where
managing mental health and stress loads are part of an integral
focus on well-being,” states Trina Clayeux, Ph.D., CEO, Give an
Hour. “Employers can work with us to use the Veteran Workforce
Optimization Roadmap as a guiding compass to support service
members and prioritize the well-being of the entirety of their
workforce.”
The survey was conducted online within the United States by The
Harris Poll on behalf of the University of Phoenix from July 10-31,
2023, among 762 U.S. adults aged 18-55 who have ever served in the
military and are either currently active or non-active duty who
served in the military less than five years ago. Data are weighted
where necessary by education, age by sex, race/ethnicity, region,
income, size of household, marital status, active and non-active
duty status, and propensity to be online to bring them in line with
their actual proportions in the population of those who are age 18
to 55 and have served in the US military. Respondents for this
survey were selected from among those who have agreed to
participate in The Harris Poll surveys. The sampling precision of
Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible
interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +
5.3 percentage points using a 95% confidence level.
Learn more here about the Give an Hour Veteran Workforce
Roadmap.
About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance
their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world.
Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning,
skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor’s and master’s degree
programs and a Career Services for Life® commitment help students
more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while
balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit
phoenix.edu.
About Give an Hour
Give an Hour®, founded in 2005, is a national organization
dedicated to transforming mental health by building strong and
healthy individuals and communities. We specifically provide mental
health support to people impacted by humanmade trauma through an
innovative approach that empowers those we help to actively take
part in their own mental health journey. Mental health is for
everyone, For Life. Learn more and get involved at
giveanhour.org.
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Sharla Hooper University of Phoenix
sharla.hooper@phoenix.edu