Syracuse Sun

Jennifer Pluta has worked in career services at Syracuse University, including spending the last 10 years providing advice to Syracuse’s veterans and military-connected community.

When Jennifer Pluta G’15 enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve on May 19, 1999, she had no grand plans for making a career out of her service to her country. Rather, feeling compelled to give back to her country, Pluta thought she would serve for a few years before embarking on the next chapter of her life.

Today, the military has become the focal point of Pluta’s career, connecting service members to their benefits and resources while providing both mentorship and guidance that enhances the professional development pursuits of soldiers.

Along with commemorating 25 years of military service, Pluta, a first sergeant in the Army Reserve, is celebrating another professional milestone. For nearly 20 years, Pluta has worked in career services at Syracuse University, including spending the last 10 years providing advice to Syracuse’s veterans and military-connected community.

“I’ve always had a desire to go into the service. I’m so honored to have had this experience and I can’t believe I’m now at 25 years of military service,” says Pluta, director of Veteran Career Services in the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs, who also leads the University’s Veterans Affinity Group for faculty and staff.

“I just never thought this was the plan when I first enlisted, but here I am. I love serving my country. I love helping and mentoring our soldiers on their journeys. Being a humble servant who gives back to our soldiers is the most honorable thing I can think of.”

By encouraging student veterans to discover more about potential employment opportunities available to them, Pluta’s passion for career services has led to an impressive 100% placement rate for connecting student veterans to new careers following graduation. She achieves this through customized career coaching, mentoring, networking and her strong connections with potential employers.

Pluta’s commitment to serving veterans led to her being named a scholar for the 2023 Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program by the George W. Bush Institute. The initiative supports individuals who not only give back to our nation’s veterans and military families but are motivated to broaden their skillsets, knowledge and influence to enhance their efforts supporting military-connected communities they serve.

Pluta earned a master’s degree in higher education administration from Syracuse University's School of Education in 2015. She recently discussed her passion for service with SU News:

"I always had an interest in career services going back to high school when I would read resume books and wanted to learn how to make someone’s resume stand out," said Pluta. "When I was in college [at Alfred University], I did an internship in the career center."

"When I was first deployed to Kuwait as part of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003," she continued "I wound up helping soldiers access their GI Bill benefits, student loans and other educational assistance programs."

"I didn’t know you could make a career doing this," she added "But from the onset of my military career... there were lots of people...who weren’t aware of many benefits...available...I wanted...to share my knowledge."

Reflecting on connecting veterans with their benefits: "It’s always been so rewarding helping my fellow soldiers," said Pluta "I’m lucky that I can do something I'm passionate about while helping others achieve their goals."

"Too often," she explained "veterans have a limited viewpoint on their skills...But it’s such a rewarding feeling when they understand that employers are interested..."

Discussing her role at Syracuse since starting as a temporary employee: "Once I came...in 2005...it was supposed [to be] limited...[but] it’s going [on] 20 years..."

Regarding impact on university reputation: “Because I'm an Army Reserve career counselor..." she noted "...not only what our service members have been through...[but also] how their experiences…can be leveraged..."

"I help those soldiers who want…[and] faculty…transfers..." she concluded "[Using] my network…and experiences…I'm really happy I've been able…”