Running head: PRE-PROPOSAL
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Veterans and Career Services Pre-Proposal
EDP 520 CSULB
PRE-PROPOSAL
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The goal of my research is to determine whether there is a correlation between veteran
students’ use of campus career services and their ability to secure employment post-graduation.
My research topic is important because the population of veterans attending college has
increased substantially in recent years (Branker, 2009; Church, 2009; Elliot, Gonzalez, & Larsen,
2011). The large influx of veterans to college campuses is due in part to a higher ratio of
wounded to dead, 16 to 1, compared to previous wars in which the ratio was 1 wounded to every
3 dead (Stiglitz & Bilmes, 2008). Colleges and universities are challenged in adequately dealing
with the unique disabilities, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and educational
needs that veterans bring to today’s college campuses (Burnett & Segoria, 2009). Little research
literature has been written about the juncture of military culture and student life or student
services (Bonar & Domenici, 2011). The limited research that does exist on this topic
demonstrates that veterans face readjustment difficulties when transitioning into the college
environment (Glover-Graf, Miller, & Freeman, 2010; Persky & Oliver, 2011; Rumann &
Hamrick, 2010).
Much of this research has been qualitative and focused on developing best practices for
programs and services that colleges and universities can provide to help veterans successfully
make the transition from military service to college campus (Bonar & Domenici, 2011; Burnett
& Segoria, 2009; Shackelford, 2009). Additionally, there is very limited research on veterans’
success in graduating from college and entering the workforce (Ruh, Spicer, & Vaughn, 2009).
This aspect of veterans is not only important to higher education but to all Americans, as making
the transition from college to the work sector is vital to having a strong economy and helping our
veterans reintegrate into society as productive individuals. Veterans are a large, capable,
deserving, and under-utilized workforce (Ruh, Spicer, & Vaughn, 2009).
PRE-PROPOSAL
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This study seeks to help lessen the gap in the literature by conducting a descriptive
research study that will measure whether a correlation exists between veteran students’ use of
campus career services and their ability to secure employment post-graduation. The descriptive
research method is most appropriate given what variables, use of career center services and
employment, will be examined in the study. The hypothesis is that there will be a positive
correlation between use of career services and veterans ability to find a job after college. The
research procedure will consist of studying veterans at three public 4 year universities.
Participants will be recruited by partnering with Veterans Affairs Services on each campus to
recruit volunteers and then using a snowball sample method to recruit additional participants. A
survey instrument will be used to assess the frequency that participants utilize various services
(career assessment tests, resume assistance, interview preparation, etc.) provided by the career
center on each campus. Participants will also be able to rate their experiences in using the
services as well as the impact the services had in assisting them to secure full time employment.
The results of this study will contribute to the field by offering a concrete assessment of the use
of an existing student service, career services, and the impact it has on veterans’ transition
experience and ability to find employment. It could also contribute to the field by providing
empirically based best practices for career services programming that effectively targets
veterans. The validity and reliability of the study should be strong if a large number of
participants are involved across the three college campuses.
References
Bonar, T. C., & Domenici, P. L. (2011). Counseling and Connecting with the Military
PRE-PROPOSAL
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Undergraduate: The Intersection of Military Service and University Life. Journal Of
College Student Psychotherapy, 25(3), 204-219.
Burnett, S. E., & Segoria, J. (2009). Collaboration for Military Transition Students from Combat
to College: It Takes a Community. Journal Of Postsecondary Education And Disability,
22(1), 53-58.
Branker, C. (2009). Deserving Design: The New Generation of Student Veterans. Journal Of
Postsecondary Education And Disability, 22(1), 59-66.
Church, T. E. (2009). Returning Veterans on Campus with War Related Injuries and the Long
Road Back Home. Journal Of Postsecondary Education And Disability, 22(1), 43-52.
Elliott, M., Gonzalez, C., & Larsen, B. (2011). U.S. Military Veterans Transition to College:
Combat, PTSD, and Alienation on Campus. Journal Of Student Affairs Research And
Practice, 48(3), 279-296.
Glover-Graf, N. M., Miller, E., & Freeman, S. (2010). Accommodating Veterans with
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in the Academic Setting. Rehabilitation
Education, 24(1-2), 43-56.
Persky, K. R., & Oliver, D. E. (2011). Veterans Coming Home to the Community College:
Linking Research to Practice. Community College Journal Of Research And Practice,
35(1-2), 111-120.
Ruh, D., Spicer, P., & Vaughan, K. (2009). Helping Veterans with Disabilities Transition to
Employment. Journal Of Postsecondary Education And Disability, 22(1), 67-74.
Rumann, C. B., & Hamrick, F. A. (2010). Student Veterans in Transition: Re-Enrolling after War
Zone Deployments. Journal Of Higher Education, 81(4), 431-458.
Shackelford, A. L. (2009). Documenting the Needs of Student Veterans with Disabilities:
PRE-PROPOSAL
Intersection Roadblocks, Solutions, and Legal Realities. Journal Of Postsecondary
Education And Disability, 22(1), 36-42.
Stiglitz, J., and Bilmes, L. The Three Trillion Dollar War: The True Cost of the Iray Conflict.
New York Norton, 2008
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