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Higher education continues to be an appealing path forward for many veterans who suffered catastrophic or severe injuries. Thanks to Paralyzed Veterans of America’s Veterans Career Program, Navy veteran and PVA member Seth is now on this path.

Seth was injured in 2015 in a diving accident in a swimming pool. He first learned of PVA through his recovery at the Minneapolis VA Spinal Cord Center and, as time passed, became more and more involved in the programs and services we offer. In 2016, Seth assumed a leadership role as the Board of Directors’ Secretary for the Minnesota PVA Chapter.

In March 2019, Seth had the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in PVA’s 2019 Advocacy and Legislation Week, an intensive five-day event that includes educational seminars and culminates with visits to Capitol Hill for advocacy meetings with Members of Congress.

While in D.C., Seth ran into a Veterans Career Program Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Jim Arndt, MS, CRC, and expressed how engaging he found the week to be. Upon returning to Minnesota, the two met to review options for Seth to pursue his new goal of working with elected officials to advocate on behalf of veterans. They agreed that the best path forward would be for Seth to earn his bachelor’s degree and then plotted next steps, including taking the ACT and applying for GI Bill benefits.

On August 26, 2019, Seth matriculated at St. Cloud State University, pursuing a business degree. Seth will continue his work with Minnesota PVA to help disabled veterans.

“The reason I am starting my bachelor’s degree is because I know it will help me pursue my goals that I have for my future. School has been something I never wanted to do, but I know it’s important and I probably would not have started yet if it weren’t for the little push from Veterans Career Program Counselor Jim Arndt.”

 

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