MRG Consortium’s First Quarterly Meeting and Participation in MRG Networking Lounge

On June 25th, numerous members of the MRG Consortium met for their first virtual quarterly meeting to discuss the group’s first initiative: barriers military members face transitioning into financial services. The group identified several barriers, including:

• Awareness
  • Informing the military community there is a path into the industry with their skills and companies are interested in hiring them
• Timing
  • The time it takes to complete a certification program, timing of their transition and having information ahead of transitioning
• Pathways
  • There is not one defined path in this industry, there are many paths an individual can take
• Affordability
  • Finding the funding for their education

Various MRGs detailed how they are helping members of the community overcome these barriers, including a mentorship program, working with local bases, and talking with those in transition about financial awareness and wellbeing and what is required to be hired and enter the industry. They also discussed utilizing SkillBridge, a Department of Defense (DoD) program that helps service members gain civilian work experience before they leave active duty.

Following the virtual meeting, the consortium had the opportunity to meet in person during the inaugural Military Resource Group Networking Lounge at The College’s 2024 Military Summit. Various companies including F&G, Nationwide, NFP, Thrivent, and USAA were able to network amongst one another, meet with Military Center scholars in attendance, and have a special meet-and-greet with the 2024 Soldier-Citizen Award recipient.