"This program truly changed my life and helped me find a meaningful path forward.”
A native of Youngstown, Ohio, Van Vanover served as an aircraft mechanic in the United States Air Force for nine years. As his family grew, he and his wife decided to move back to Ohio to be closer to relatives.
It was a move, he admits, that led to some “tough decisions.”
But as Van prepared to transition to a civilian career, he had the “incredible opportunity” to participate in the SkillBridge program.
SkillBridge is a Department of Defense program. It allows service members to complete an internship with a civilian company during their final months of active duty.
UPMC is the largest SkillBridge provider in Pennsylvania. We have been recognized as a top 10 Military Friendly Employer nationwide.
More than 1,600 UPMC employees identify as veterans. About 300 to 400 veterans apply to UPMC each month.
Van says SkillBridge opened the door to what he describes as a “transformative internship experience” with UPMC.
“The program not only allowed me to explore the tech industry firsthand, but it also gave me the tools, mentorship, and confidence to transition from military service into a civilian career,” Van says.
During Van’s internship, UPMC's Pathways for Veterans team provided personalized support to align with his career ambitions.
“The team stood by my side to make sure I was given all the tools I needed to succeed beyond a life in service to our great nation,” Van says.
Van credits the Pathways for Veterans team and the SkillBridge program for leading him to a full-time job as a software engineer at UPMC.
“This program truly changed my life and helped me find a meaningful path forward,” Van says.
At UPMC, Life Changing Medicine means providing a pathway for veterans to pursue meaningful careers after service.
