Originally published March 13, 2015
By Daniel Perez
A visit to Craigslist led a dozen unemployed or underemployed U.S. veterans to a national nonprofit program offered through The University of Texas at El Paso that prepares them for successful business careers.
Veterans from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines have been part of the Workforce Opportunity Services (WOS) Veterans Program offered through UTEP’s College of Business Administration with the support of business management company ADP.
The second cohort completed its eight-week course March 4, 2015, and participants started their 12-week training period with ADP in El Paso two days later.
WOS started the program in 2010 after corporate and political leaders lauded veterans for their positive qualities such as diligence, leadership and professionalism, but lamented that too many were unemployed. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics stated that in 2013 the unemployment rate among veterans who served since 2001 was 9 percent – 21 percent if you only count ages 18 to 24. WOS created the program to introduce veterans to the professional skills and corporate culture needed to land jobs with high-profile companies such as ADP, Prudential Financial and Hewlett-Packard.
Among those participants in the recent UTEP cohort was Ruben Berumen, who spent almost 25 years in the Army in such fields as recruiter, career counselor and administrative staffer. The sergeant first class checked Craigslist, an online classified ad site, to see what was available and was intrigued by the WOS announcement. He separated from the Army in January and will officially retire in May 2015.
Berumen was one of 112 people who responded to the ad that asked for veterans who served since 2001, had been honorably discharged and had at least a high school diploma or equivalent. The ad promised those selected would be taught critical business and communication skills. The responders were whittled down by telephone and face-to-face interviews that delved into their academic abilities, interpersonal skills, levels of commitment and need for a job.
“This experience will open some doors,” said a grateful Berumen, a Juárez native who entered the military after graduating from Socorro High School in 1990. “I didn’t want to leave the Army for just another job. I was looking for a second career.”
His cohort studied business writing, organizational behavior and information technology as part of a management development training curriculum created by UTEP, WOS and ADP. He said the courses helped him alter his rigid G.I. writing style and enhance his overall presentation skills.
Robert Nachtmann, D.B.A., dean of the College of Business Administration, called the program a winner for the University, ADP, WOS, and especially the veterans. The first cohort with 10 students launched in January 2014 and the second started 12 months later. Each student participant earned a $400 weekly stipend from WOS.
Nachtmann said he and UTEP President Diana Natalicio have known and worked with Art Langer, Ed.D., WOS chairman and founder, for several years. They were pleased when Langer reached out to UTEP in 2013 to be part of WOS’s efforts because the program’s goals are consistent with the University’s military-friendly objectives, and the business school’s interest in developing more training activities to help build the region’s workforce.
“It’s been a very successful program,” Nachtmann said. “From all measurements that I’ve received from WOS, they think our faculty is terrific and our courses exceptional.”
He praised the UTEP program faculty for their commitment to the students for the two cohorts. They are Richard Posthuma, Ph.D., Ellis and Susan Mayfield Chair in Business Administration and professor of management; Laird Smith, lecturer of international business; and David Villegas, Computer Application Learning Center (CALC) systems administrator.
Posthuma said it was interesting to witness the mental transformation of the students from a military to a business mindset.
“I’m not surprised they’re successful,” he said during a March 2 reception in the CALC to recognize the course completion. “They’re hard working, diligent, intelligent. I treat them like my MBA students because they deserve it.”
Russ Hurley, WOS client service manager, said his organization is pleased with the feedback it has received from ADP and the company’s customers regarding the quality of the former students, who put in 227 hours of class time over eight weeks. He credits Nachtmann and his faculty.
“That speaks volumes,” Hurley said. “I think the quality and quantity of instruction was remarkable. It takes the program to another level.”
Terry McGreehan, vice president and general manager of ADP’s El Paso office, said the WOS program has worked well in El Paso on several levels and could become a repeatable model. He spoke briefly about the initial success members of the first cohort already have experienced and expects more of the same from this year’s group.
“We’re finding talent among folks who need us most,” said McGreehan, who called the program an example of what can happen when “right-minded folks” put their heads together.
Stephanie Lugo, a Philadelphia native and former Marine, said she felt fortunate to have learned about the WOS opportunity with ADP. The mother of two stepchildren said the UTEP courses have curbed her overuse of acronyms and military jargon. She expected to work in ADP’s small business services division.
“The program was extremely demanding, but amazing,” said Lugo, who moved to El Paso from Southern California in November 2014. “You learn a lot of great stuff in the military, but sometimes it’s hard to translate that in business.”
UTEP, ADP and WOS officials are considering when to offer another cohort. WOS’ Hurley said the triad has fostered a strong relationship that could create a hiring pipeline for ADP during the next three or four years as ADP ramps up its hiring.