JBLM Job Fair Showcases State Employment Opportunities

JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, [Redirect-302] Wash. – Staff Sergeant Danika Nolan’s military exit date is a few weeks away, and she’s getting ready for the transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 task candidates, she went to an employing fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

“I simply attempt to make the most of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to provide, just to ensure I’m as prepared as possible,” she stated.

The focus of the job fair on state employment, instead of employment in numerous industries, made it various than others on the setup. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, it started with a panel of veterans from state agencies, who shared their experiences and responded to concerns. Following the panel, employers from state agencies were readily available to respond to employing questions, said Frank Handoe, deputy transition services supervisor for the TAP.

Informational tables represented companies 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 .

A quarterly event, the job fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to learn what kind of opportunities exist here outdoors your back entrance,” stated Christopher Gentz, akrs.ae shift services supervisor Loan for Housewives 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 wanting to do,” Handoe stated, pointing out that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

Among the job fair’s goals was to assist individuals discover profession opportunities and how their abilities align with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a key benefit of going to a task fair, OFFICE ANAL XXX MOVIES 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 generally every year,” he said. “We want them to make an educated decision about their profession.”

Part of the education piece is learning about financial resources, including credit reports, budgets and “developing 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 one day,” he said, “however while you’re in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to go out?”

Job fairs also exist to assist individuals with networking, seeing what people in the outside world are looking for – including certifications, accreditations and www.grainfather.de schooling – and discovering their employing practices, Handoe said.

“You need to be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do later on down the roadway,” he stated.

That preparation work consists of preparing for task fairs.

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

He explained that participants ought to identify the companies they desire to consult with and research them ahead of time, to permit informed conversations with recruiters.

Nolan took pleasure in the Jan. 30 task reasonable and spoke to some recruiters. A senior info innovation specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has discovered she wants to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian role.