I've done the course twice now and thoroughly enjoyed it! Teaching veterans skills only branding themselves, pitches, resumes, and more. I think the biggest advantage is helping transition veterans jump start their network and obtaining mentors or sponsors. I've met many great people and it has also brought other veteran opportunities to my radar within my city.
I am a Navy veteran who just recently graduated from college. FourBlock assisted me on developing my resume, translating my military experience, and connecting me with myriad of recruiters.
I definitely would recommend this organization to my fellow veterans!
FourBlock is quite possibly the best transition program. I love that they approach transition as a journey and spend months with veterans, rather than a quick day-long workshop or retreat. Resumes and interviews are probably the least addressed topics (though important!). Rather, they address much deeper, foundational questions such as our personal priorities, our professional goals, etc. I love that they teach professional development topics that are VERY relevant to today's landscape, like emotional intelligence and strategies. Their method is much more methodical than a "passion"-based approach. I won't spill their secrets here, but basically FourBlock veterans are taught to craft their careers through reflection and strategy, rather than simply pursue their dreams.
When getting ready to transition from the Marines back to civilian life I knew school was my next step. Since I wanted to get into a career in financial services it made sense for me to leave the west coast and head to NYC for school. Shortly after I arrived and settled in I went to my career counselor. I knew if I wanted to make it I would need to get some real world experience along with my education and was looking for internship opportunities. Since I was a veteran she handed me a sheet of 3 opportunities that coming summer that would be through a company called FourBlock. Those were the earliest days of the FourBlock, I couldn't find much info on them over the web, but 2 of the internships interested me so I applied and ended up getting one of them.
The next fall FourBlock started to have classes for recently transitioned veterans to help give them the soft skills that weren't part of military acumen. Through the classes and networking events I was able to make a few contacts that lead to another internship the summer before my senior year. When neither of those lead to a full time position Mike and FourBlock didn't give up on me and kept working with me. It was through another networking event of theirs that lead to my post graduation job where I am still at 3.5 years later.
At the end of the day it comes down to the individual to apply what is learned, or in my case land the position, but FourBlock, and Mike Abrams helped put me in the best position to succeed and I will forever be grateful for the help I have received.
A great group of leaders combining their efforts to make a difference for our Veterans and for our business community.
Two years ago I decided to go to business school and start my MBA. Staying on active duty provided the opportunity for a seamless transition. The tradeoff came in losing the ability to network and intern throughout my time in school. Finding a career is a full time job. With the military, school, and searching for my next career. As the transition came closer I wasn't happy with my options. Coming from the military I know there is always another way.
So I went out and found it. Working with FourBlock, I am able to build a network of people in my target city (Atlanta). I meet others like me, going through the transition. Now as I transition I can hear others stories about their transition and realize I am not alone. Hearing people who have pushed through and found their way makes it seem more reasonable and possible.
The transition process is what you make of it. Two options exist: wait for something to happen or go make it happen. FourBlock puts me in front of the right people. We practice our skills every time we step foot in a company. Every company understands the value veterans bring. FourBlock is designed to give people willing to put forth the extra effort an opportunity. Too many veterans don't reach their maximum potential when they transition, because they don't know what is really possible.
No one walks away from a session without learning something. The learning happens from the instructor, the other veterans, or even the corporate partners. Whether it leads to a job or just networking with new people, I know the effort is worth it.
I fell into the Four Block program after I transitioned and immediately felt it's value. I wished I had encountered this program prior to my departure because the information, the format, and the staff are just fantastic. The faster this program expands across the nation, the better.
I am presently transitioning from the military and was introduced to 4Block about 6 months before my retirement. I didn’t realize how much the job market had changed along with the different tools at my disposal. 4Block was able to guide my efforts towards and focus them on networking with contacts within those fields. They made me feel like they truly cared about my welfare and went out of their way to set up calls with me even though I was on the other side of the world. More veterans need to hear about 4Block and what they can do for them. Truly a fantastic organization!!!
Four Block has been an instrumental mentoring source for Warriors at Walter Reed. They have provided insights, leadership, mentoring, networking, professional workshops, and online learning modules for military and post military. They help Service Members and keep track of their procedures and results. First and foremost they provide wise counsel to military undergoing transition.
As a FourBlock volunteer and a US Army veteran myself, I wish that this program would have been available when I was discharged in the early 1990's. I have personally witnessed the positive impact that this program has had on today's transitioning student veteran by providing the tools and training needed for their successful transition into the civilian workforce.
To Mike Abrams and Roger Roley as well as to all current and future FourBlock students - thank you all for your service and for everything that you have done and continue to do for our country! Hooah!
As a Vietnam veteran and past Commander of the American Legion, I have worked with many VSOs trying to help our returning service members.
Only FOUR BLOCK and Mike Abrams excel at providing the tools and motivation allowing service members to transition to active productive members of the community.
When I found 4Block, I was 1 year out of the military and enrolled in a graduate program. I was pretty lost and ineffective, in the job search. Before the program, I applied to multiple jobs/positions that I was over qualified to do but never received a response. After 4Block, I learned to give my elevator pitch, the importance of networking in job hunting, the relevance of networking events, how to work a room, and it was an extremely positive experience that I would recommend for all veterans enrolled in an educational institution.
I've tried out some veteran groups before and while each one has comradery they don't do a lot. So I was surprised when FourBlock did more than turn oxygen into carbon dioxide, they helped gear us up to be successful. Not only giving us tools and resources for later but also connecting us with people/companies that were in our target area. I've told all of my other vet buddies to check them out, they offer a terrific service and only ask that you help out a vet down the road.
Four Block does a phenomenal job assisting veterans with their career transitions. I have personally witnessed the transformation of seasoned military veterans with high potential but near-zero corporate awareness, to polished business leaders ready to take on the challenge of the civilian workforce. The Four Block team understands the needs of veterans, leverages appropriate corporate leadership resources, and goes above and beyond to create successful transition stories. I am thrilled that I became acquainted with this wonderful program and its leadership, and I look forward to supporting for years to come.
While my company has supported this organization for several years, I was first exposed to them in the February of 2016. As a volunteer I attended most of the semester for a group of student veterans. The growth in this group was outstanding. The lesson plan has been designed a program to help student veterans prepare for the transition from military to the corporate world. The skills range from how to dress and prepare an elevator pitch to writing an effective resume and LinkedIn profile. I would highly recommend this program for any student veteran. As a veteran myself, I could have benefited greatly from this program in my own transition.
FourBlock has been a partner of our company for the last several years. Within the last year, we've partnered with them at my local office. The program is phenomenal. As a veteran myself, I have been involved with several veterans organizations over the years. Of any of them, I've enjoyed the level and scale of impact that this organization is able to have. It's a wonderful experience to be a part of, and is as relevant and fulfilling to the volunteers as it is to the veterans being served. This is a first class organization all the way,
This group educates and transitions Veterans from Active Duty through Corporate Placement. Four Block is run, from the top down, by driven professionals that care only for the soldiers and sailors. Look to Four Block for polished young men and women, with proven leadership experience, to hit the ground running in your world class organizations.
I am a coordinator for student veterans at a university. After being introduced to the Four Block program approximately one year ago, I have witnessed the positive outcomes for myself. I have been fortunate enough to act as somewhat of a liaison to Four Block providing information and recommending the program to our student veteran population. The difference in poise, confidence, marketability, and all-round career readiness in our participating students is night and day. I see a greater degree of focus displayed by these students, with a clear objective and a calculated, strategic path to realizing it. These individuals definitely have a leg-up on their peers upon entering the corporate workforce after graduation and undoubtedly that advantage was earned through dedication to the Four Block Career Development Program.
FourBlock is one of the few organizations I have worked with in the Veterans space who defines the problem and; both articulates and implements the evidence-based strategies
they use and will use to achieve their goals. They have a clear vision and mission and are led by a Founder who is deeply knowledgeable, credible and engaged.
The mission of the Four Block program to best serve our veterans via employment is key to their future professional successes. Monica and the course curriculum helped me to move in a new professional direction and I successfully made that transition on September 1st. Thank you so very much.
- Erle
As a Recruiter at Amazon and a fellow Veteran I thoroughly enjoy working with Four Block. There are many veteran organizations out there but they take it to another level. Monica is a very passionate leader who goes the extra mile to help the veterans. She is an excellent career coach and she is very knowledgeable in her field.
~Colby Williamson
Amazon Military Recruiting
I was a FourBlock student while still a senior in college following my active duty service in the US Army. The insight and mindset taught by my instructor Monica was extremely valuable. I also would like to thank Mike Abrams for creating the organization and for the phone conversation we had. I am now starting a career with my dream organization and I doubt it could have happened without my experiences with FourBlock!
I met Mike Abrams a couple of years ago. I wasn't aware of any private organizations out there at the time, who understood the hardships our Veterans have trying to transition from Military life into civilian life. Mike "gets it" because he lived through it and leading once again through example. Thank you for all the hard work you do to help our Veterans.
Carrie Farley
Proud Mother of SSG Derek J. Farley
Department of NY, President of American Gold Star Mothers, Inc.
Four Block has been an instrumental educational experience that has contributed to my successful transition from military service. I am in the Pacific Northwest and was introduced to Monica McNeal, Four Block Program Manager, through a mutual connection. I knew of Four Block from a previous program, but remained hesitant about enquiring for information. I am so glad I changed my mind about enrollment. The program offers many ways to help veterans, like myself, gain experience through structured classes, corporation visits, and distinguished speakers. I was surrounded by fellow veterans who had the same fears about how we need to proceed to showcase our talents for future employment. Luckily, the class prepared us for employer expectations and how we present our best self when addressing recruiters and hiring managers. I am well equipped for my future and feel confident about what I bring to an employer.
I have already recommended the program to other veterans based on my positive experience alone. Thank you Monica and Four Block for the many materials and experiences that I can take with me where ever I go. This is a program that no veteran who is unsure should be without.
Going through Four Block's program is easily one of the best decisions I've ever made. I heard about the program through the Dean of Admissions when I was taking my undergrad at Fordham University and within two weeks of being in school, Four Blocks' founder also reached out to me.
My original thought was the organization was only about gathering veterans together and going to various networking events around New York City, but the reality far exceeded any expectations I had. Each veteran has to go through weekly classes for a couple of months to prepare them for not just the networking events, but the whole job-hunting process. They brought in professionals each week to teach us how to build our resumes, write cover letters, make compelling LinkedIn profiles, conduct ourselves in interviews and, overall, building your personal brand. Then each week, we go to a different company in hopes of connecting with at least one of its employees. The best part about it is that these networking events are specifically tailored to Four Block vets.
I believed in Four Block's mission so much that I decided to do a fellowship with them to help meet recruiting goals and widen the organization's reach. It was the most rewarding 6 months of my post-military life.
Four Block equipped me with the tools and the confidence I needed to succeed after the military. I truly believe that Four Block is 100% responsible in helping me land my current job at the biggest advertising agency group in the world- McCann. Thank you for everything!
After suffering a severe lower back injury that resulted in surgery and a year of recovery at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Chris Vasiliou took on the role of a personal and professional mentor. He was able to help and guide me with the ability to become accepted at Fordham University and introduce me to Four Block in which is a premier nonprofit for assisting veterans like myself attain and accomplish new and never before seen goals. Thank you Chris and Four Block for your great and never ending assistance in the new chapter my of life.
The transition from military service to civilian life is often confusing, troublesome, and riddled with unexpected obstacles. For me, it certainly was--that is, until I was introduced to Chris from FourBlock, who is now my mentor. FourBlock is an outstanding organization that smooths out the rough edges of the shift for veterans, whether they wish to complete their college education, enter the professional world, or both.
The guys at FourBlock are great people who are sincere in their intentions, tirelessly dedicated to their mission, and definitely competent in their craft. Mike and Chris sacrificed their own time to sit down with me for our first meeting and offered a lot of encouragement but also legitimate ideas and concrete actions to help me get started on a positive path to transition. Also, I have introduced several of my buddies to FourBlock when they were dissatisfied with how their transition was going, and positive results began manifesting immediately. The best thing I could do for my friends was introduce them to FourBlock. Most importantly, I have never been left out to dry by these guys. If I don't hit them up every few weeks (at least), they are calling or emailing me. There are a lot of veteran assistance non-profits out there, but I have never seen one like FourBlock. I trust these guys and am grateful to know and work with them.
I was introduced to Four Block shortly after it was founded. Since that time I have served as an instructor, Executive Advisor, and currently as a member of the Board of Directors. Four Block's commitment to student veterans is at the highest level. Four Block founder, Mike Abrams, is probably the strongest advocate for veterans that I know. The organization prepares individual veterans to find internships during and employment after school ends. The strongest testimonials come from the student veterans themselves, who are living proof of the positive results they can achieve with Four Block's help. Corporations, partnerships, and professional organizations have thrown tremendous support to Four Block. They have recognized the value veterans bring to the workforce and want to continue to hire them for that reason. Four Block utilizes best practices and has created many unique and target strategies to help veterans learn job seeking skills that will last them a life time. It has been gratifying for me to work with student veterans. I have never met a more positive and talented group of young men and women. Four Block alumni are growing in size and in their ability to help one another find new roles that permit them to excel in the non-military world.
I was mentored by FourBlock as a US Marine Corps Wounded Warrior at Walter Reed. FourBlock is the only nonprofit to be officially sponsored by the command there. That says a lot. Their mentors follow through and care for you, as long as you commit to them. Their program and services has worked time and time again to help wounded Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and special operators. During my time there, I saw FourBlock help a Medal of Honor recipient navigate his transition/publicity process; a Navy SEAL amputee get into law school; a Sailor with a GED get into Columbia University; and a Marine pursue an Olympic career. As for my own post-surgery rehabilitation, FourBlock helped me build a bigger, better plan for the future; helped me plan my wedding; and now I am successfully employed. Living the dream.
