Helping Veterans Re-Enter the Workforce

Fulton Bank is changing lives for the better with Military Internship program

BY JESSICA GOMBAR

COMMITMENT. ACCOUNTABILITY. FOCUS. These are just some of the talents veterans and active military personnel bring to today’s workplace. From setting priorities to time management, veterans uniquely understand the importance of teamwork, collaboration, and resilience on the job.

But transitioning from military life to civilian life, particularly when it comes to the job market, is not without its challenges. According to a 2019 Pew Research Center report, only one in four leave the military with a job lined up due to discrimination and bias, lack of support and resources, and more. In addition, 55% of veterans report that finding a job is one of their most significant transition challenges.

Whether it’s creating a military hiring program or a veteran employee resource group, organizations that support service members demonstrate a commitment to the well-being and success of their employees. Last year, Fulton Bank, one of the leading financial institutions in the region, celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Military Internship Program, a paid six-month internship that helps service members transition into the civilian workforce through on-the-job training, mentoring, networking, and professional development opportunities.

Over the past decade, Fulton Bank has dedicated hundreds of hours to the development, management, and growth of the program, working with more than 168 veteran interns and hiring more than 40 service members for full-time positions.

In addition to hands-on experience in the banking industry, the Military Internship Program provides service members with access to senior management and human resource professionals. This access provides resume and interview coaching, as well as job search education, to aid in their transition into the workplace and prepare them for a successful future, whether in banking or another industry.

The Military Internship Program is just one example of how Fulton Bank is helping to prepare the next generation of leaders through a strong recruitment strategy focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and its ability to change lives for the better.

Community partnerships have been the key to this program’s success. Since its inception, the Military Internship Program has collaborated with dozens of organizations and institutions, including VetConnect, The American Legion, and various colleges and universities that support military conferences and seminars.

The unique program has also earned industry recognition, including an American Bankers Association Foundation 2023 Community Commitment Award. Fulton Bank’s commitment to military service members has also earned recognition from the Department of Defense’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), with Above and Beyond Awards in 2021, 2022, and 2023. In 2024, the bank is a finalist for the ESGR’s Freedom Award.

The Military Internship Program is just one example of how Fulton Bank is helping to prepare the next generation of leaders through a strong recruitment strategy focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and its ability to change lives for the better.

Whether it’s helping a veteran or service member forge a path to long-term employment in the banking sector, finding new ways to support veteran-owned small businesses, or providing financial counseling to a young military family, Fulton Bank continues to empower veterans to achieve their personal and professional goals. To learn more about Fulton Bank or its Military Internship Program, visit www.fultonbank.com.

Jessica Gombar is a talent management program manager at Fulton Bank.