As we approach Veterans Day, it's fitting to honor the invaluable contributions that veterans make both in and out of the military. It’s not just about commemorating their years of service but also recognizing the impact of the roughly 200,000 service members who transition into civilian life each year.
Veterans bring a wealth of skills and a unique perspective to the workforce – enriching our communities in impactful and inspiring ways. That's why, in October 2023, we launched VALOR – an initiative dedicated to supporting veterans and first responders within the workplace. VALOR stands for Veterans Alliance for Learning, Outreach and Resources. It is more than just a name. It stands for our commitment to integrating and elevating veteran voices within CoreSite and beyond. As a Navy veteran myself, I’m proud to be part of this initiative, working to build a workplace that values the rich experience that veterans bring.
Veteran’s Draw to the Data Center Industry
I served In the Navy from 2002 to 2007, with my sea rotation being based out of Guam. Those years taught me about operational readiness and teamwork, while managing mission-critical tasks. When I transitioned to civilian life and eventually into a corporate setting, I brought those same values with me and, like other veterans, they have greatly influenced my career.
In fact, more than 36% of our data center operations team is made up of veterans. Many, like me, have a background in Navy nuclear training. The skills we gained in the military – as well as technical backgrounds in mechanical, electric or electrical systems – seamlessly translate to the demands and complexity of the data center environment.
But the transition into the civilian workforce is not always easy. The culture and relationships in the military environment are so different from the corporate world. Like many of my colleagues, I found it difficult and isolating to adjust to different workplace cultures and expectations. And the camaraderie and clear mission focus I had in the military was hard to find.
And that’s where VALOR comes in. The group addresses these challenges by providing a support network of people who understand our unique but shared military experience, and offers a sense of belonging within the company.
Mission Accomplished: VALOR’s Inclusive Role
Having an employee resource group for veterans is incredibly important to me. In college, I was actively involved in a multicultural committee, which brought together groups of people with different backgrounds and cultures – those who were not mainstream. This experience taught me the power of inclusivity and the importance of creating spaces where diverse voices can thrive.
That’s exactly what we’re aiming to do with VALOR. We want to make sure that every voice, particularly those of veterans and first responders, is heard and respected in our workplace.
VALOR isn’t just about creating a resource group; it’s about making a real impact. We’ve set up VALOR to advocate for veteran issues and bring forward ideas that promote camaraderie, honor and duty – values deeply rooted in military life. With an executive sponsor backing us, we’re working to integrate veteran perspectives into our company’s policies and initiatives, aiming to augment the supportive and understanding environment CoreSite has created for all its employees. Our developing efforts are focused on our onboarding processes for transitioning military members, recognizing the unique challenges they face entering the civilian workforce. Additionally, we support our veterans by organizing and hosting company-wide webinars on mental health and other issues.
VALOR also bridges the gap between corporate offices and regional data centers to unite different branches of our company. To tackle this, we partner with local, veteran-focused nonprofits so that local veterans can gain a sense of community, shared purpose and mutual support among team members. We’re also focused on improving our communication and engagement across the company to ensure everyone is involved and informed about upcoming events and initiatives.
We’re putting together educational efforts to share information about the many military holidays and observances, as well as presenting stories that highlight the diverse contributions of various military groups. Whether it’s LGBTQ+ individuals, Black military units or women-only military groups, we’re hoping to showcase their stories and the significant roles they’ve played in our history.
VALOR isn’t just about what we’re doing internally. We’re also giving back to the community. We organize care packages for deployed military members and our team is encouraged to volunteer and participate in events that support veterans and their families. By engaging in activities that promote camaraderie for veterans, we extend our commitment beyond the workplace.
I’m excited about the impact we’re making by empowering and honoring veterans both within CoreSite and beyond. Through advocating for veteran issues, promoting education and awareness and actively engaging in community outreach, VALOR can uplift our company, our veterans and our communities. It’s a journey that’s already making a difference.
Know More
If you are a veteran interested in a data center career, reach out and learn more about the exciting roles we have to offer.
If you are a CoreSite employee and interested in VALOR, get in touch!
CoreSite’s workplace culture truly values diversity and honors the contributions of veterans, and I’m a testament to that. It could be the ideal fit for transitioning your military career. For more information on our available positions, check us out at www.coresite.com/about/careers.