By embracing and leveraging our diverse community of military-connected employees, our Galvanize Military Employee Resource Group (gMil ERG) works to establish and support a desirable work environment for our employees with a military connection, as well as to harness the community’s many strengths to better serve the company and our clients.
The military has long been part of Galvanize through our coding bootcampm options for Veterans and our active duty team, which works to upskill active service members in software engineering and data analytics. With these departments already aligned with military missions and programs, it’s become increasingly important to create an ERG to provide a voice for military Veterans, spouses, and the military-connected working both inside and outside these departments at Galvanize.Â
Launched in summer 2022, the group supports and encourages each other through shared experiences, Veteran recruitment, career development, community engagement, professional growth, and retention. gMil was established by Galvanize employees and is organized and run by them on a volunteer basis. Membership is open to all Galvanize employees, unpaid interns, and volunteers without regard to their military background.Â
Leadership simply asks that all members be dedicated to heightening awareness of military culture and camaraderie and that they have a desire to connect with colleagues and our military students.
To learn more, we invite you to read brief Q&As with gMil ERG leadership below.Â
Randi Brandon, Chair of gMil & Enrollment Advisor at GalvanizeÂ
Why did you choose to pursue ERG leadership?
I have worked in military-connected non-profit organizations for 14 years prior to pursuing a career at Galvanize. When I saw that Galvanize had a military ERG I knew I wanted to join as a member and support them in any way possible.
What do you hope to accomplish in your role with gMil?
I hope to bring more awareness about military culture into the company so we can better support our military-connected students and staff. I also hope to provide a safe space for military-connected staff members to connect and support one another.
What does this ERG mean to you?
This ERG gives me the opportunity to fulfill my passion for serving others. ERGs are important to a successful company because they represent diversity and help create an inclusive workspace.
Why do you work at Galvanize?
I work for Galvanize because of the values they stand by. The colleagues I work with succeed every day at creating belonging and growing and building together. My role in the military career skills program also allows me to work with active duty service members and veterans every day.
Melissa De La Torre, Co-Chair of gMil & Engagement Specialist, Military
Why did you choose to pursue ERG leadership?
I am passionate about DEI initiatives and being an ERG leader gives me the opportunity to not only support our gMil community but also to collaborate with other ERG leaders to build programming based on our shared interests. Being a Hispanic Woman Veteran who works in the tech industry I think it is important to provide a space for people to share stories of the challenges different communities face so people know they are not alone and they can learn how to overcome their challenges.
What do you hope to accomplish in your role with gMil?
I hope to provide a space where we can educate others on what Veterans, military members, and their families bring to the table whether they are our students, staff, or out in our community. They are present in every aspect of our lives; they are our coworkers, business owners, nonprofit founders, entertainers, advocates, politicians, and so much more. gMil gives us the opportunity to highlight all the wonderful things they are doing, how they are supporting us, and how we can support them.
What does this ERG mean to you?
This ERG means Community to me. It provides a safe space for veterans, currently serving military members, military or veteran spouses, and our supporters to come together to connect, share stories, provide resources, educate, and support each other.
Why do you work at Galvanize?
I separated from Active Duty in 2015 and experienced many challenges during my transition and I do not want other service members to go through those same challenges alone. Working for Galvanize gives me the opportunity to help transitioning service members ease their transition into the civilian workforce by sharing resources and opportunities available to them. No service member should have to go through their military-to-civilian transition alone. My position at Galvanize provides me with a platform to create community amongst our Military and Veteran students so they have not only staff support but peer support as well.
David Garcia, Secretary of gMil & Transitions and Career Services Manager at Galvanize
Why did you choose to pursue ERG leadership?
I love giving back to Veterans and I am always looking for opportunities to make Veterans feel represented and supported!
What do you hope to accomplish in your role with gMil?
I’d really like to give our Veteran and service-connected folks a place to tell their stories, be comfortable asking questions, and genuinely feel like they have others they can turn to. The military is its own very complicated subculture and sometimes you just need to know someone else who understands it to feel acknowledged.
What does this ERG mean to you?
It means a partnership with anyone and everyone willing to be an ally to the veteran community.
Why do you work at Galvanize?
I get to work with veterans all day, every day. Why wouldn’t I work here?
____
Learn more about Galvanize coding training for military service members and Veterans.
