Thomas Kusick, a Missouri Army National Guard Veteran and Combat Engineer who served in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, arrived at the Columbia Job Center on January 9, 2025, seeking resume assistance and job search support. After completing the Veteran Eligibility Screening Tool, he was enrolled in the Wagner-Peyser (WP) and Jobs for Veterans State Grant (JVSG) programs on January 14, 2025.
Overcoming Significant Barriers
During enrollment, Thomas shared that he had sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) while deployed in Afghanistan, a challenge that had made it difficult to maintain steady employment since returning home.
He expressed a strong need for work that is hands-on and goal-oriented. Together with his Employment Specialist, Thomas used O*Net and MERIC labor market tools to explore career pathways, and developed a personalized Individual Employment Plan (IEP) with both short- and long-term goals. His resume was updated and uploaded into his MoJobs account.
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A Collaborative, Veteran-Centered Approach
Thomas also had an active VA case manager assisting with his job search. His Employment Specialist coordinated weekly virtual meetings with the VA team to ensure seamless, wraparound support — a model of interagency collaboration that directly benefits Veterans navigating complex challenges.
After exploring multiple career paths, including maintenance, commercial driving, and construction, Thomas’s VA case manager helped connect him to Job Point’s training programs. He initially enrolled in warehouse training but quickly discovered that carpentry was the right fit, thriving in its hands-on, goal-driven environment.
Mission Accomplished: Full-Time Employment
On November 24, 2025, Thomas successfully completed the carpentry training program at Job Point. Just one week later, on December 1, 2025, he began full-time employment as a Carpenter with a construction contractor based in Jefferson City
Are you a Veteran in need of employment services? Connect with a Veteran Employment Specialist in your area and learn more at cwdregion.com/vetservices.