Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.
A spirit that is not afraid

Program offers US vets mentorship to breed success

Kyle Venable laughs during an interview on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018, in Auburn, Ala.
Kyle Venable laughs during an interview on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018, in Auburn, Ala.

 

This school year marks the second annual Veterans Success Program, where student veterans apply for a scholarship and are paired with a mentor with expertise in the field of their desired major.

According to VSP coordinator, Meg Alexander, last year was the first time the program ever took place on Auburn’s campus, with five student veterans a part of the program. This year, six students have received the scholarship and a mentor. The goal is to provide student veterans with resources and opportunities to excel in their career after graduation. 

“Most of our mentors are a part of the veteran staff,” Alexander said.

This year’s recipients are declared in the following majors: building science, electrical engineering, supply chain management, interior design with a minor in business, physical activity and health, IT management, and animal science.

The age range of student veterans is between 25-40, and they are here at Auburn furthering their education to have a career after serving The United States as active military personnel.

This program is a way for the student veterans to get one-on-one professional assistance. Each month, the mentors and mentees will try to meet at luncheons to go over things like how to build a resume, professional etiquette, and discussing job shadowing opportunities.

Kyle Venable is a former marine gunnery sergeant in his final year at Auburn University majoring in IT management. He is the president of Auburn Student Veteran Association for the second year in a row. He is also one of this year’s scholarship recipients and mentees.

Venable is not Auburn’s typical student. He is 40 years old, married and has a nine-year-old daughter and a 5-year-old son. 

He also served in the marines for just under 17 years and worked federally for two years in IT.

He also holds many awards and honors. Venable has been on multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He has Navy Marine Corps commendation medals, achievement medals and an outstanding volunteer service medal. He was nominated for student veteran of the year and placed in the top 10. Also, he was a top three winner at Auburn for male student of the year.

His unconventional student career started after high school.

“I had to do something to get a little more experience in life,” Venable said of why he joined the marines. “And some was a little rebellion to my parents.”

After 19 years of not being a college student, he had a realization.

“I knew without a college degree you’re stuck in your level of work, I was stuck at a GS-9 level,” he said.

A GS-9 level is a mid-level position with a mid-level pay grade.

Now, he makes the drive from Montgomery, Alabama, to Auburn to get his degree in IT management. He is in his final year as a student, and he was one of the six chosen for the mentoring program. His mentor is a former military dentist, so he shares the commonality of service with Venable.

“I am excited for the program,” Venable said. “My mentor is a professor here, and he was my first IT professor here. I kept going to his office and talking to him, so he’s been like a mentor to me for a long time. Now, it is just more professional. I have already talked to him twice.”

Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Auburn Plainsman delivered to your inbox

Venable said the networking opportunities from the program have sparked his interest. Access to his mentor’s professional network has also given him insight into the job market.

Venable is ready to begin his career in IT outside of the marines, and he has his eye on the FBI.

“Cyber security is a growing thing that is not going away and only growing,” he said. “It fascinates me.”

The Veterans Resource Center aims to help student veterans have the best opportunities in order to achieve their goals in an environment that is comfortable.

“Everyone in this office is all connected through service, so that gives us a fill for the gap that we have after leaving the brotherhood of service,” Venable said.

He sees the overall program as a great opportunity for him and his career. He knows through meeting everyone involved he will be mentored by more than his official mentor. He looks forward to gaining valuable information from all the program has to offer.


Share and discuss “Program offers US vets mentorship to breed success” on social media.