JBLM Job Fair Showcases State Employment Opportunities
JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – Staff Sergeant Danika Nolan’s military exit date is a few weeks away, and she’s getting ready for the shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
As part of a group of about 30 job hunters, she went to a working with fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career chances 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, just to make certain I’m as prepared as possible, » she stated.
The focus of the job fair on state employment, instead of employment in various markets, made it various 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 addressed questions. Following the panel, employment employers from state firms were offered to respond to employing concerns, said Frank Handoe, employment deputy transition services supervisor employment for the TAP.
Informational tables represented organizations including VERG, WorkSource and 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, the job fair is « a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to discover what kind of opportunities exist here outside your back door, » said Christopher Gentz, shift 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 get ready for them, « gown for success, » bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz said.
An elevator pitch is a « fast introduction of yourself, who you are and what you’re aiming to do, » Handoe stated, discussing that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.
One of the job fair’s objectives was to help individuals discover about career chances and employment how their abilities line up with them, Gentz said.
Education is an essential benefit of going to a job fair, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP discover they’re « not all set to make that jump yet, » or they have actually seen the offered opportunities and decide to continue serving, employment Gentz said.
« We see that basically every year, » he said. « We want them to make an educated decision about their career. »
Part of the education piece is finding out about finances, including credit reports, spending plans and « building a savings so you have something to work with when it’s time to get out, » Handoe said.
« Everybody’s going to get out of the Army someday, » he stated, « but while you’re in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to get out? »
Job fairs also exist to help individuals with networking, seeing what people in the outdoors world are searching for – including accreditations, accreditations and education – and learning more about their working with practices, Handoe said.
« You must be doing prep work now for what it is you want to do later down the roadway, » he said.
That preparation work includes getting ready for job fairs.
« You require to enter 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 guests ought to identify the companies they wish to with and research them ahead of time, to enable educated discussions with employers.
Nolan enjoyed the Jan. 30 job fair and consulted with some recruiters. A senior infotech professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually found she wants to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian function.
