The Department of Veterans’ Services strives to improve the lives of the approximately 210,000 veterans and family members in New York City by providing access to support services. DVS advances the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of NYC veterans and their families, through education and career opportunities, human and technological infrastructure, benefits, resources, and care. DVS sought to gain a better understanding of the transition experience for returning service members and their families that are moving to New York City, with a focus on those moving for school. 3×3 was engaged to lead the effort using multi-modal qualitative and quantitative research methods to help surface opportunities that help to frame DVS’ strategic planning efforts. 

3×3 Design was engaged to conduct design research to investigate motivations for moving to NYC for school and common challenges experienced throughout the process in relation to securing housing, supportive resources, education, and employment. The research reached over one-hundred (100) student veterans from twenty-five (25) New York City schools across the five boroughs and New Jersey through one-on-one interviews and a survey.

3×3 prepared a report summarizing the findings over a six-month period from April to November 2018. The research is not an inclusive account of the veteran student experience, rather an entry point to document key challenges and opportunities for further development. The research revealed that support for veterans’ transition comes from an early awareness of the expectations of the transition, personal relationships to mentors, peers, and veteran departments within schools, and access to clear and concise information on one’s benefits and the steps of the process. Veteran communities and services at schools, and personal networks were identified as key support systems during the transition experience. Support systems are often key decision factors for choosing a school and location to transition to. While many veterans found support, all veterans expressed having challenges during the transitioning process. Many participating student veterans described their journey as reactive and self-guided. 

_ Methodology
Interviews, Survey

_ Outputs
 Research report

_Related projects

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