Support services
UNSW provides extensive support for veterans, including educational adjustments and career transition assistance.
opens in a new windowMatt McCormack, retired O6 (Captain, RAN) was a Maritime Logistician for 31.5 years before becoming a full time academic at UNSW Canberra. Here Matt shares his story on transitioning from Navy life to professional life whilst earning two master's degrees and a PhD.
Ben is a SAS veteran, co-founder Mettle Global and UNSW AGSM Adjunct Faculty. Here Ben shares some of his favourite podcast episodes he's hosted that are particularly inspiring, showcasing veterans who have achieved remarkable feats post-service, including in the realm of academic study:
James Elroy Flecker
From The Golden Journey to Samarkand, first published in 1913
If university is the next step for you and would like some more information about university life you can chat to a Student Support Advisor. A Student Support Advisor can provide you with personalised advice about:
As a prospective student veteran, you are eligible for 1 session with a Student Support Advisor. Additional guidance is available for veterans who are enrolled at UNSW.
UNSW Canberra’s recently released podcast The Next Mission prepares listeners not only for military to civilian transition, but unexpected transitions that may be experienced throughout a lifetime.
While career transition can look different for every individual, The Next Mission offers a range of guests and advice for listeners to connect with. The podcast warmly welcomes local Canberrans including Michaela Gilewicz, Alison Creagh and James McMahon.
Hosted by UNSW Canberra’s External Engagement Coordinator Georgia Hamon-Melloy, The Next Mission welcomes guests from all walks of life who share their personal stories, research, and insight into their experience with military to civilian career transition.
“It’s important for us to show the raw and real side to transition. To share stories from each end of the spectrum, from those who had a transition plan and fell perfectly into it, to those whose journeys were more difficult,” Georgia said.
Each guest shares their personal experiences, providing candid encouragement and digestible advice, while offering a supportive network to those have, currently, or are thinking of transitioning out the military.
While military to civilian transition is the main topic of discussion, the advice touches on all types of career transition that anyone may face.
“The podcast series has proven to be so much more than military to civilian transition, specifically. It really speaks to transition in all forms, not just career ones, and provides advice and guidance on how to navigate those transitions,” Georgia said.
Every person in the workforce will eventually experience transition in some way. This may come in the form of changes in roles, industry, or even personal life circumstances.
Royal Australian Navy veteran and UNSW Canberra Deputy Head of School Education (Programs) Matthew McCormack said in the first episode that “you need a suitcase full of 'transitions', things you need to pack throughout your career."
Regardless of where an individual may be in their career, it is never too early to prepare for the inevitable, or even the unexpected.
“Transition can be a scary road, but it can be made easier with planning and preparation. There are communities of people out there who can assist and support you—it doesn’t need to be done on your own,” Georgia said.
For today's mission, Matthew McCormack, senior lecturer at UNSW Canberra and 30+ year Navy veteran is joined by Natalie Colbert, business owner and 18+ year Air Force veteran as they speak about the “suitcase full of things you need to pack to be ready to transition” and share their own personal stories and expertise about transitioning from the military into the civilian workforce.
For today’s Mission, we are joined by Michaela Gilewicz as she shares her story of being medically discharged from the Australian Defence Force and the pain and trauma that led her to become the person she feels she was meant to be.
For today's mission, we are joined by Alison Creagh and Michaela Gilewicz for an in-conversation piece about the importance of finding your people and your ‘new’ community after you transition out of the military.
For today's mission, we are joined by former SAS commander and Army veteran, James McMahon, who shares his journey from transitioning from the military.
For today’s mission, we are joined by Jon Lane, a Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry at the University of Tasmania as we delve into how service experience impacts your ability to function and manage emotions and interpersonal relationships.
For today's mission, we are joined by Mat Jones and Gus Campbell from BAE Systems, Mark Korsten from AUKUS Jobs, and Michael Hartung and Debbie Dimmock from Invictus Australia.
We are joined by Michaela and Christine Gilewicz for a raw and real insight into the flow-on effect being medically discharged from the ADF has on family members.