Does this VA educational benefit sound legit? (veterans, military, graduate)

[RMD3819]

The story....

I have a relative going to school for paralegal. He claims that the VA called him and offered him a paid internship in that field once he completed a certain level of education. Once graduated and certified, he was guaranteed a paid job with the VA, and his VA employment would combine with his military years towards his retirement.

Does this sound plausible? I don't always get the complete story from him so I thought I would run it by this forum.

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by RMD3819

The story....

I have a relative going to school for paralegal. He claims that the VA called him and offered him a paid internship in that field once he completed a certain level of education. Once graduated and certified, he was guaranteed a paid job with the VA, and his VA employment would combine with his military years towards his retirement.

Does this sound plausible? I don't always get the complete story from him so I thought I would run it by this forum.

We really don't have the complete story...

Your relative most likely contacted the VA first. He may have heard a lot. He may have interpreted a lot...

There are a lot of internship programs with the Federal government... My wife went through one as a Federal employee they paid about $45,000 towards her degree...

As a veteran he would get some veterans preference points towards employment.

Federal employment can combine with military years serve. There are some catches...

Some sites you might look at these VA pages:

VA Internship Programs
Pathways Internship Program
VA Innovation Intern Program

[RMD3819]

Thanks for this. What he described looks like some of the programs.

[jasper12]

No one gets a "guaranteed job" anywhere...most do an internship, with a stipend. If they don't mess up, they may be offered employment, if a position is available, IF they do well on the interview.

There are plenty of veterans out there, with excellent credentials, most of them have preference points, so, they are competing in a field with a lot of others just as qualified and eligible as they are.

One way to get an edge, is to seek a position in an area where there may not be as many applicants...less competition.