In conjunction with Veterans Day on Nov. 11, Ayse Oge, a business book author in Encino, is releasing an e-book on how former military personnel can transition to civilian life and find a job. “World Smart Veterans” offers readers tips on how veterans can work in international trade as well as real-life success stories about veterans, including Oge’s personal experience with her father. She said he struggled with depression after resigning from the military in his mid-50s, a common challenge veterans face after coming home. “In the book, what I focused on is why global business is important to vets and how their skill set works great for global business,” Oge said. “The more I studied veterans, they more I realized how prepared they were.” Through their military training, she said, veterans are taught to deal with foreign cultures as well as unexpected events in risky situations. In particular, small and midsize companies can benefit by hiring vets. “Small businesses need qualified people and the qualities veterans are bringing are just outstanding,” she said. In 2014, 21.2 million men and women were veterans according to a report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Out of those, only 10.2 million had jobs, 573,000 were unemployed, and 10.5 million were neither employed nor looking for jobs. Kenn Phillips, chief executive of Sherman Oaks nonprofit Valley Economic Alliance, said veterans face challenges in the job market because of perceptions that they could have mental health issues and their skill sets won’t match specific jobs. Kevin Dobson, an actor and former soldier who was keynote speaker at an Oct. 23 job fair for veterans organized by the alliance, said that one key for veterans to succeed after military life is for mentors and other supportive people to keep in contact with them. “Following up and offering extended help is crucial,” he said. A book like “World Smart Veterans,” according to Phillips, could help veterans looking for jobs understand what business decision-makers need. The book will be sold on Amazon.com for $9.99. – Nicole Pinto
