ABOUT THE PROGRAM

SERVICE DOESN’T END AT SEPARATION

Service to Service is a joint initiative of We The Veterans and Military Families and the Volcker Alliance that opens a direct pathway from military service to graduate public service education and careers in government.

Government at every level faces a leadership gap as a generation of public servants retires. At the same time, roughly 200,000 service members leave the military each year with exactly the skills the public sector needs: mission focus, operational discipline, and experience leading under pressure.

Service to Service closes that gap. We recruit veterans and military family members into top graduate programs in public administration and policy, connect fellows to dedicated scholarships and grants, surround them with a national cohort, and place them with public sector employers when they graduate.

WHY IT EXISTS

HOW IT WORKS

From recruitment to placement

01

STUDENT RECRUITMENT

We meet veterans and military family members where they are — transition programs, recruitment fairs, and partner organizations — and connect them to graduate schools programs enthusiastic to enroll military affiliated students.

02

STUDENT EXPERIENCE

Fellows enroll at a partner school with scholarship support and dedicated advising built around the realities of military-connected students.

03

COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE

Schools, fellows, and program staff meet regularly to share what works, refine supports, and build a durable national network.

04

CAREER SUPPORT

Fellows graduate into public service roles with an emphasis on state and local government — continuing to serve out of uniform.

Learn more

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Service to Service is a national initiative of the Volcker Alliance and We the Veterans and Military Families that partners with graduate schools of public service across the country to support veterans and military family members transition into careers in state and local government. Through the Service to Service Fellowship, students are connected with a national community and opportunities to explore and prepare for careers in public service.

  • The Service to Service Fellowship is a professional development program designed to help veterans and military family members build pathways to careers in state and local government. Fellows join a national cohort and participate in programming, career development, and networking opportunities throughout their graduate programs. Through the Fellowship, Fellows gain a deeper understanding of state and local government careers, build relationships with public service leaders and peers, and develop the skills and connections to launch meaningful careers after graduation.

  • Prospective Service to Service Fellows must meet all of the following criteria:

    • Be an active duty service member, veteran, or military family member (such as a spouse or dependent).

    • Be enrolled in a graduate degree in public policy or public administration at one of the 28 participating schools.

    • Have an interest in exploring and pursuing career opportunities in state and local government.

  • At the national level, Service to Service Fellows are expected to:

    •  Complete an onboarding survey at the beginning of the Fellowship and an exit survey at the end of the academic year. These surveys help us understand Fellows’ experiences, inform future programming, and track program outcomes.

    • Engage in Service to Service programming and networking opportunities throughout the academic year, including virtual modules and optional in-person events.

    • Take advantage of as many opportunities as possible. Fellows who actively participate in the Fellowship’s career development, networking, and professional development opportunities will get the most out of the experience and the national S2S network.

    Additional Fellowship requirements may vary by participating school. 

  • Yes. Service to Service Fellows may participate while enrolled in an online or remote graduate program at a participating school. Most Service to Service programming is offered virtually, and Fellows can participate in national programming and networking opportunities regardless of where they live. Some optional in-person opportunities are also available throughout the year. 

    This flexibility allows active-duty service members and other military-connected students who live outside the U.S. or away from campus to participate.

  • Service to Service currently partners with 28 graduate schools of public service across the country. View the full list of participating schools here.

  • Visit this link to learn more about each school’s graduate programs and Service to Service offerings. 

    Each September, we also host a virtual recruitment fair where prospective students can hear directly from participating schools about their graduate programs and Service to Service opportunities.

    Learn more about our upcoming fair.

  • Follow this link to our interest application form

  • We the Veterans and Military Families is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower the veteran and military family member community to strengthen America. Visit our website to learn more.

    The Volcker Alliance is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering the public sector workforce to solve the challenges facing our nation. Visit our website to learn more.

  • Please reach out to us at servicetoservice@volckeralliance.org

READY TO
KEEP SERVING?

Fellow Interest Form
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