Local organization trains veterans for insurance career

FORT MYERS, Fla.- For many brave war veterans, serving overseas is just the start of a long, grueling journey.

When veterans return home to America, a lot of them have trouble just finding a decent job. But now, a new local organization is putting them in a position to break into a lucrative career.

“It was much harder than I expected,” said 28-year-old veteran Paul Dunaway.

Dunaway fought overseas in Iraq and was deployed in 2007.

“It is really hard to explain to civilians,” said Dunaway.

When Dunaway came back to the United States, he had a difficult time finding a career.

“I had a lot of jobs, and I use that term ‘jobs’ because I did a lot of things just to get a paycheck,” said Dunaway.

But now Dunaway’s entire outlook on life has changed. A local organization called Disabled Veterans Insurance Careers, or DVIC, takes in veterans like Dunaway and puts them through a six month training program that prepares them for a career as an insurance agent.

“And they meet with class instructors, but also folks within the industry,” said Roger Mercado with DVIC.

Mercado tells WINK News, the vets get on the job style training and even get to work inside local insurance offices learning about life, home and auto insurance.

“By the time they are done with the program they will have hopefully a job,” said Mercado.

“All military service got you looking for a job was thanks for your service we will look over your resume,” said Marine Corps veteran Jordan Hess.

Hess is now going through the DVIC program and wasn’t employed for months after coming back from overseas.

“I really want to be able to help people protect the things that they love, what is most important to them,” said Hess.

For more information on how to donate to DVIC and to learn more about the Surf & Turf event this weekend head to www.dvic.us.