Your military story is part of the American record. It can also be a powerful tool for understanding your next professional chapter.
Join the American Veteran Arts Collective (AVAC) and the Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress for a two-part, in-person program on Thursday, June 11 and Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 4:00–7:30 PM ET.
This program introduces veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses to the Veterans History Project while exploring how military experience, leadership, and service narratives can translate into career pathways across libraries, archives, museums, public humanities, cultural institutions, and mission-driven civic organizations.
Participants will learn about the Veterans History Project, reflect on their own service experiences, explore how personal narrative can support career translation, and connect with Library of Congress staff to learn about institutional roles, professional pathways, volunteer opportunities, and continued engagement within cultural and civic institutions.
What to Expect
Veterans History Project Engagement
Learn about VHP’s mission to collect, preserve, and make accessible the firsthand stories of U.S. military veterans.
Storytelling & Skill Translation
Use guided exercises to connect your military experience to leadership, operations, communication, public service, and cultural-sector professional pathways.
Career Pathway Exploration
Explore roles across archives, collections, exhibits, public programming, education, communications, technology, administration, and institutional operations.
Library of Congress Staff Conversations
Hear from staff about career journeys, institutional work, institutional career pathways, volunteer opportunities, and available roles.
Networking & Reflection
Connect with peers, AVAC, VHP, and Library staff in a setting designed to support clarity, confidence, and next steps.
Who Should Attend?
This program is open to transitioning service members, veterans, military spouses, and service-connected individuals interested in applying military leadership, operational expertise, storytelling, project management, public service, and creative problem-solving within arts, culture, humanities, library, archive, and civic institutions.
Career Pathway Exploration Led By AVAC
- Archives, Collections & Preservation
- Library Operations & Research Services
- Exhibits, Interpretation & Public Programming
- Project & Program Management
- Communications, Public Affairs & Publishing
- Education, Learning & Community Engagement
- Technology, Digital Systems & Metadata
- Events, Partnerships & Institutional Engagement
- Administration, Finance & Operations
Program Format
- Virtual orientation
- Two in-person sessions at the Library of Congress
- VHP introduction and archival engagement
- Narrative development and skill translation
- Staff conversations and career pathway exploration
- Networking and next steps
- Oral History Interview Participation
Participation & Completion Expectations
As part of this pilot with the Library of Congress Veterans History Project (VHP), participants will engage directly in preserving veteran stories through oral history and storytelling. Participants who complete the program components will receive a certificate of participation. Program participation includes contributing to the Veterans History Project either by sharing one’s own story or supporting the recording of another veteran’s interview. Participants will receive guidance on oral history practices, informed participation, and respectful storytelling throughout the program.