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 getting ready for the shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
As part of a group of about 30 task hunters, she went to a working with fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession chances at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.
“I just attempt to make the most of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to offer, just to ensure I’m as prepared as possible,” she said.
The focus of the task fair on state work, instead of employment in numerous markets, made it various 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 companies, referall.us who shared their experiences and addressed questions. Following the panel, from state firms were readily available to respond to employing concerns, said Frank Handoe, deputy shift services supervisor for the TAP.
Informational tables represented organizations including 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 event, the task fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to learn what type of chances exist here outdoors your back entrance,” stated Christopher Gentz, shift services supervisor for the Directorate of Human Resources.
Additional job 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 intro of yourself, who you are and what you’re seeking to do,” Handoe said, mentioning that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.
Among the task fair’s objectives was to assist people learn more about profession opportunities and how their skills line up with them, Gentz stated.
Education is a crucial advantage of going to a job fair, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP discover they’re “not prepared to make that dive yet,” or they have seen the offered chances and choose to continue serving, Gentz said.
“We see that basically every year,” he stated. “We desire them to make an educated decision about their profession.”
Part of the education piece is discovering finances, consisting of credit reports, spending plans 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 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 assist individuals with networking, seeing what individuals in the outdoors world are searching for – consisting of certifications, accreditations and schooling – and learning more about their employing practices, Handoe said.
“You ought to be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do in the future down the road,” he said.
That preparation work includes getting ready for job fairs.
“You require to go 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 need to pinpoint the companies they wish to consult with and research study them ahead of time, to permit informed discussions with employers.
Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 task reasonable and talked to some recruiters. A senior info technology expert with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has discovered she desires to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian role.