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 task candidates, she went to a working with reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

“I simply attempt to benefit from all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to use, just to make certain I’m as prepared as possible,” she stated.

The focus of the task fair on state work, instead of employment in different markets, made it different than others on the installation. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, it started with a panel of veterans from state firms, who shared their experiences and answered . Following the panel, employers from state firms were available to respond to employing concerns, stated Frank Handoe, deputy transition services manager for the TAP.

Informational tables represented organizations consisting of VERG, WorkSource and Washington State’s Department of Veterans Affairs and 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, the job fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure chance to discover what type of chances exist here outdoors your back entrance,” stated Christopher Gentz, transition services supervisor for 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, “dress for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz stated.

An elevator pitch is a “quick intro of yourself, who you are and what you’re seeking to do,” Handoe stated, mentioning that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.

Among the task fair’s goals was to assist people find out about career chances and how their abilities line up with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a key benefit of attending a job reasonable, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP learn they’re “not prepared to make that jump yet,” or they have seen the offered chances and choose to continue serving, Gentz said.

“We see that essentially every year,” he stated. “We want them to make an informed decision about their profession.”

Part of the education piece is finding out about financial resources, consisting of credit reports, budgets and “developing a savings so you have something to deal with when it’s time to get out,” Handoe said.

“Everybody’s going to get out of the Army sooner or later,” he said, “however while you’re in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to get out?”

Job fairs likewise exist to help people with networking, seeing what individuals in the outside world are looking for – consisting of accreditations, accreditations and education – and learning more about their working with practices, Handoe said.

“You need to be doing prep work now for what it is you desire to do in the future down the roadway,” he stated.

That prep work consists of preparing for task fairs.

“You require to go into a working with fair with a plan of what you’re going to do and not just meander around,” Handoe stated.

He explained that participants must identify the companies they wish to consult with and research them ahead of time, job to allow for educated discussions with employers.

Nolan took pleasure in the Jan. 30 task fair and consulted with some employers. A senior details technology professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually found she desires to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian role.