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JBLM Job Fair Showcases State Employment Opportunities
JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – Staff Sergeant Danika Nolan’s military exit date is a couple of weeks away, and she’s preparing for the transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
As part of a group of about 30 job candidates, she went to an employing fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.
« I simply try to benefit from all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to offer, simply to ensure I’m as prepared as possible, » she said.
The focus of the task fair on state employment, instead of work in different markets, made it different than others on the installation. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, it began with a panel of veterans from state agencies, who shared their experiences and answered concerns. Following the panel, recruiters from state firms were offered to answer employing concerns, stated Frank Handoe, deputy transition services manager for the TAP.
Informational tables represented companies consisting of VERG, WorkSource and employment Washington State’s Department of Veterans Affairs and employment VA Apprenticeship Program; Department of Children, Youth and Families; Department of Social and Health Services, Community Services Division; and Office of the Insurance Commissioner.
A quarterly occasion, employment the task fair is « a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to find out what kind of opportunities exist here outside your back door, » said Christopher Gentz, transition services supervisor for employment the Directorate of Human Resources.
Additional task fairs like the Jan. 30 event will be held May 8, July 10 and Sept. 11.
To prepare for them, « gown for success, » bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, .
An elevator pitch is a « quick intro of yourself, who you are and what you’re aiming to do, » Handoe said, discussing that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.
Among the job fair’s goals was to assist individuals discover profession chances and how their abilities line up with them, Gentz said.
Education is an essential benefit of going to a task fair, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP discover they’re « not all set to make that dive yet, » or they have seen the offered opportunities and choose to continue serving, Gentz said.
« We see that essentially every year, » he said. « We desire them to make an informed choice about their career. »
Part of the education piece is learning more about financial resources, including credit reports, spending plans and « developing a nest egg so you have something to deal with when it’s time to get out, » Handoe stated.
« Everybody’s going to get out of the Army sooner or later, » he said, « however while you remain in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to get out? »
Job fairs also exist to assist individuals with networking, seeing what people in the outside world are trying to find – consisting of certifications, accreditations and education – and finding out about their working with practices, Handoe stated.
« You must be doing prep work now for what it is you desire to do later on down the roadway, » he said.
That prep work consists of preparing for job fairs.
« You require to enter into an employing fair with a plan of what you’re going to do and not just meander around, » Handoe said.
He discussed that participants must identify the companies they wish to consult with and research study them ahead of time, to allow for informed conversations with employers.
Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 task reasonable and spoke with some employers. A senior infotech professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has found she wants to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.