Onward to Opportunity (O2O) is a free career training program that provides professional certification and employee support services to transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses. O2O combines industry-validated curricula, strong partnerships with leading veteran service organizations and private sector companies, and comprehensive career coaching services to prepare and match you with your next career.

Latest From IVMF: Onward to Opportunity (O2O) Impact Evaluation

Evaluators from Penn State’s Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness conducted a rigorous quasi-experimental study utilizing propensity score matching (PSM) to compare survey response data from The Veterans Metrics Initiative (TVMI) with O2O participant data. Their analysis found that O2O has statistically validated positive impacts on post-service employment, including starting salary, and characteristics of 6-month job retention.  

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As a graduate or participant of one of the Institute for Veterans and Military Families’ programs, you are a part of an ever-growing network of IVMF alumni across the globe! As IVMF was founded at Syracuse University and is headquartered on their campus, completing an IVMF program also makes you a Syracuse University alum! This extensive network is here for you to stay connected and leverage for your professional/entrepreneurial journey.

Take advantage of resources, webinars, and a community of veterans and military spouses that share the IVMF bond through their post-service lives. Long after you complete your course or residency, you are connected to the IVMF team for follow-up resources and opportunities as your professional goals evolve. No matter if you graduated from Onward to Opportunity or one of the eight Arsenal entrepreneurship programs the Alumni Services team supports all IVMF graduates in realizing and accomplishing their professional and personal goals.

Onward to Opportunity (O2O) represents a paradigm shift in where, and when, the private sector engages the military-connected job seeker. The program provides employers with a unique opportunity to review the training curriculum that leverages these skills to ensure it aligns with their hiring needs. O2O also provides the nation’s employers with enhanced visibility and access to the military-connected talent pool prior to separation, allowing employers to engage with military-connected candidates earlier and develop a deeper understanding of the skills, capabilities, and value this population can lend to their organizations.