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 hunters, she went to a working with . 30 that showcased Washington State career opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

«I just try to benefit from all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to provide, 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 industries, made it different than others on the setup. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, it began with a panel of veterans from state firms, who shared their experiences and responded to questions. Following the panel, employers from state firms were available to respond to hiring concerns, stated Frank Handoe, 24-Hour Loan deputy shift 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, teachersconsultancy.com Community Services Division; and Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

A quarterly occasion, the task fair is «a low-stress, low-pressure chance to learn what kind of opportunities exist here outdoors your back door,» said Christopher Gentz, transition services manager 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 stated.

An elevator pitch is a «quick intro of yourself, who you are and what you’re aiming to do,» Handoe said, https://horizonsmaroc.com/ discussing that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.

Among the job fair’s objectives was to help individuals find out about profession opportunities and how their abilities line up with them, Gentz said.

Education is a key benefit of attending a job reasonable, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP discover they’re «not ready to make that jump yet,» or they have actually seen the offered opportunities and studentvolunteers.us choose to continue serving, Gentz said.

«We see that generally every year,» he said. «We desire them to make an educated choice about their career.»

Part of the education piece is finding out about finances, consisting of credit reports, budget plans and «building a nest egg so you have something to work with when it’s time to get out,» Handoe stated.

«Everybody’s going to get out of the Army one day,» he stated, «but while you’re in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to go out?»

Job fairs likewise exist to help people with networking, seeing what individuals in the outside world are trying to find – including accreditations, accreditations and education – 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 later down the road,» he said.

That prep work consists of getting ready for task fairs.

«You need to go into a working with fair with a plan of what you’re going to do and not just meander around,» Handoe said.

He discussed that participants ought to pinpoint the companies they wish to consult with and research them ahead of time, to enable informed discussions with employers.

Nolan took pleasure in the Jan. 30 task fair and [empty] talked to some recruiters. A senior information innovation specialist with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually found she wants to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian function.