For as long as she can remember, Army veteran Ineka Smith has always enjoyed working with computers, but she has never found the right moment to pivot her career toward that passion – until now. Through UCLA VetJET (Veterans Job, Education & Training), the California native was able to earn her Cybersecurity certificate from UCLA Extension and propel herself toward achieving her professional goals.

Smith initially received a degree in business and a minor in computer information systems after completing her military service.

“I’ve known for a long time that I love working with computers,” she said. “I’ve been fascinated with the wonderful things technology can do. I was growing up when the internet really became something.”

In need of a job right out of college, Smith instead started working in the medical field as a lab technician and found herself unable to find a path toward changing her job to the field she preferred.

“I kind of regret that because I never got professional experience in the IT field except for when I was in the military, where I was in telecommunications,” she said, adding that she put together mainframe and telephone systems.

For many veterans, there can be roadblocks to an education that would allow them to compete in an ever-evolving professional world in need of people with updated skillsets and expertise. UCLA VetJET, a program offered by UCLA Veterans Initiatives & Partnerships (VIP) through UCLA Extension, aims to help veterans gain the education they need to make big changes to their professional lives.

“VetJET proves that we can make meaningful change in the lives of our veterans,” said Anthony DeFrancesco, chief liaison and executive director of UCLA VIP. “UCLA is committed to finding innovative ways to make an impact, and we are proud of what this program has accomplished in just one short year."

“At the end of the day our main goal is to help veterans be able to re-enter the workforce or find a better paying position,” said Juan Rosales, who is the UCLA VetJET program manager. “We want to produce something that will help them in the long range.”

Founded in March 2024, VetJET is independent from the GI Bill or other educational benefits. It offers no-cost UCLA Extension certificates for veterans. Students can choose from 22 certificate programs including accounting, cybersecurity, environmental studies, horticulture, marketing, paralegal studies, project management and medical assistant. Courses are available as self-paced online, hybrid and in-person options. Certificate programs take between six months and two years to complete.

“This is filling the gap of education where veterans are not necessarily tied to the traditional education route,” Rosales said. “This is something that can help you quickly specialize in a certain area and then get back to work. It really provides veterans with that ability to re-train, upskill or re-skill – whatever is needed – and then quickly go back and re-enter the workforce or go back to school.”

Smith was part of the first group of VetJET graduates – 12 in total – who completed their certificates this spring. Now she feels prepared to strike out on her own toward an exciting career change.

“VetJET has been helpful and supportive. They help you structure everything you need,” Smith said. “I’m thankful for the program. Hopefully I’ll be 100% prepared to enter this field. I’ve been wanting to move to the IT field for so long and I believe this will give me that chance.”

There are almost 100 veterans participating in VetJET, including newcomer Marcos Gutierrez, who is a Marine Corps veteran working toward his Construction Management certificate. The East Los Angeles native said he is inspired by his father, who is a self-made small-scale developer.

“He is my main motivation for what I’m doing today,” Gutierrez said. “He was able to do so much with so little. I knew I wanted to do something to help him, and I know following in his footsteps would lead me to success.”

Gutierrez has previously gone to school and worked as a tax accountant. He wants to eventually work toward a master’s in real estate development. Essentially, his father wears a lot of hats, so whatever Gutierrez can do to lessen his workload from any angle he is willing to try. The UCLA Veterans Resource Center recommended VetJET to Gutierrez and the hands-on guidance counseling sealed the deal for him.

“I feel like a lot of other schools don’t go through that process, asking you what you want to do and what decisions you should make,” Gutierrez said. “Juan really broke it down and made it easier for me to reach a decision. Our conversation really helped.”

UCLA Extension’s Construction Management certificate emerged as a new way to help his father and family.

“I decided that learning construction management and being more hands-on would help my father manage some of his projects and relieve some of his stress,” he said.

The counseling and financial assistance from VetJET made pursuing the certificate possible.

“It's difficult to get into a certification program like the UCLA Extension Program and can be expensive,” Gutierez said. “Making a career change is a big move for me. Without VetJET, I would've needed to take out a loan or pay out of pocket, which would've made it difficult for me to make a career change like this. Because of VetJET I'm now able to pursue my dream of working alongside my father and I'm incredibly thankful for the opportunity.”

For more information visit the UCLA VetJET Webpage.