Building civilian career pathways for veterans through SkillBridge

Leaving active duty marks a major transition. For many service members, it brings questions about how their skills translate into civilian work and where they can continue contributing to something meaningful. Through the SkillBridge program, we are helping to create clearer pathways into environmental consulting while supporting veterans as they take their next step.

SkillBridge enables service members approaching the end of active duty to complete a civilian internship with an approved partner organization. For us, the program has become an important part of how we think about inclusive recruitment and long-term workforce capability. It also reflects our commitment to supporting people who bring leadership, discipline and a strong sense of purpose to their work.

One of those people is Eryn Wolfe, who joined us through SkillBridge and has since transitioned into a permanent role.

Eryn joined the Marine Corps in 2016 while starting college, driven by a desire to serve and to be part of something bigger than herself. After transferring from the Marine Corps to the Army, she flew Black Hawk helicopters until 2026. As she prepared to leave active duty, she began thinking about how she could continue serving a broader purpose while pursuing a long standing passion for the environment and conservation.

“I didn’t know environmental consulting existed,” she says. “Doing SkillBridge opened my eyes to a different side of careers in environmental work.”

Like many veterans, Eryn felt some uncertainty about moving into a field outside her military experience. A mentor supporting her transition introduced her to us, and SkillBridge provided a way to explore the profession in a structured, supported environment.

Transitioning from a military setting into a hybrid civilian workplace can be a significant shift. For Eryn, the change was noticeable but positive.

“The transition to a hybrid work environment from the military is a stark change but a welcome one,” she says. “It opened my eyes to the possibilities within the environmental field and the diverse opportunities available.”

From the outset, feeling included mattered. Support from her line manager and colleagues helped her understand how projects run, how teams collaborate and how her skills could add value. That early investment made a difference.

“Time was taken to include me in project work and introduce me to the processes, procedures and people across teams. It made me feel like my experience was valued and that I could be an effective member of the team.”

Those early experiences helped confirm that this was a place where she could see herself building a long-term career.

Recruitment plays a critical role in bridging the gap between military and civilian work. For Eryn, connecting with other veterans at GHD helped make the transition feel more navigable.

Meeting colleagues with shared experience, including members of our Veterans employee resource group, provided reassurance and practical insight into how military skills translate into consulting roles. That peer support complemented the formal onboarding process and reinforced a sense of belonging early on.

From a capability perspective, the strengths veterans bring are clear. Eryn points to communication, organization and time management as skills she uses daily, alongside the confidence she developed through leading people in high pressure situations.

“It puts the day-to-day into perspective and helps with managing stress well,” she explains.

Eryn’s experience offers a practical example of how organizations can support veterans by pairing structured programs with visible, early support. SkillBridge played a defining role in shaping Eryn’s career direction. It provided exposure, confidence and clarity at a critical moment of transition.

Her advice to other service members is simple: use the program. “It’s a fantastic resource that allows for a more streamlined transition and an introduction to civilian life.”

For organizations, visibility and accessibility matter. Posting opportunities on recognized transition platforms, engaging with local installations and clearly naming SkillBridge internships can help veterans find and trust civilian employers who are serious about supporting them.

For us, partnering with SkillBridge is about more than filling roles. It is about recognizing transferable capability, supporting people through change and strengthening our workforce with diverse experience. The result is a more inclusive recruitment approach and a stronger connection between purpose and profession.