TM Newsletter

This release of the Talent Management newsletter focuses on the opportunity available to any Penn State department, unit, college or campus to provide a SkillBridge Internship funded by the DOD, which supports military service members in developing career skills as they transition out of the military. These internships begin when a unit develops an internship training plan. Please read on to learn more about the program and how your unit can participate. 

- Christy Helms, Senior Director for Talent Management 

An Overview of the Program 

Penn State is leading the way in veteran and service member support as the first institution in the Big Ten Conference to implement a university-wide SkillBridge program. The Department of Defense (DOD) SkillBridge program allows active military service members serving in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy and Space Force to gain civilian work experience through specific industry training, apprenticeships, or internships during their last 180 days of military service. 

As a DOD SkillBridge partner, Penn State provides service members an internship learning experience with opportunities to gain job skills and build their resumes. During these internships, which are usually between 90-180 days, service members continue to receive military compensation and benefits. At the end of their internship, interns are free to apply to any Penn State jobs of their choice, if they so wish. 

Penn State's university-wide partnership with the DOD SkillBridge program was launched in October 2024 and builds on a successful partnership by Penn State’s Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) with DOD SkillBridge since December 2022. The first intern in the university-wide program started in December 2024. Since then, the program has grown rapidly, with the creation of 15 internships, including in Counseling and Psychological Services, University Police and Public Safety, Applied Research Lab, the College of Engineering, and the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. To date, nearly 150 service members have submitted applications for Penn State internships. 

How to Get Involved 

Penn State departments and units across all campuses can participate in this exciting program by creating a training plan. To get started, submit an expression of interest. The Penn State SkillBridge team is available to help with training plan development and obtaining SkillBridge authorization. The SkillBridge internship initiative sets Penn State apart, reflecting its strong commitment to providing career development and support for military service members. Please check out further resources to learn more about how you can get started on offering a SkillBridge internship to qualified candidates, while giving back to military service members.