Journal of Science Policy & Governance
​Volume 22, Issue 01 | March 6, 2023

Policy Brief: Honor, Duty, and Service: A Blueprint for Creating Regional STEM Pipelines To Serve U.S. Military Veterans 

Chelsea Rand-Fleming
  1. Auburn University, Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, Auburn, AL, U.S.A
​
Corresponding author: [email protected] ​
Keywords: Veterans; STEM; Employment; STEM Careers ​
https://doi.org/10.38126/JSPG220109 ​

Executive Summary

Veterans face the possibility of unemployment after their transition into civilian life. Creating STEM pipelines for local communities that guide veterans towards long-term employment is necessary. The implementation of localized veteran pipelines in STEM is instrumental to ensuring that veteran unemployment numbers decrease. Focusing efforts to a small area, such as a fifty-mile radius around a town, fosters intimate connections among the veterans and other members of the pipeline. Pipeline localization gives each program its own support systems to support STEM careers in that specific location, making a difference for veterans in cities and towns everywhere. Enhancing the resources available for veterans to access long-lasting and meaningful careers in STEM is possible with veteran pipelines in STEM programming.

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Background header image courtesy of Rice University
Chelsea Rand-Fleming is a Ph.D. candidate at Auburn University in the Chemistry and Biochemistry program. Chelsea studies the post-translational modifications and assembly of MCR (methyl coenzyme M reductase). She has a passion for making STEM more accessible to underrepresented groups. After earning her Ph.D., Chelsea plans on pursuing a career that allows her to share her combined love of chemistry and outreach. 

​Acknowledgements 
This publication was written as part of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) Advocacy Training Program. The views reflected in herein are solely attributed to those of the author.

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