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 shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 task applicants, she went to an employing fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career chances 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 use, simply to make sure I’m as prepared as possible,” she stated.

The focus of the job fair on state employment, instead of work in various industries, 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 agencies, who shared their experiences and addressed concerns. Following the panel, recruiters from state companies were available to respond to employing concerns, stated Frank Handoe, deputy transition services manager for employment the TAP.

Informational tables including VERG, employment 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, employment 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 type of opportunities exist here outdoors your back door,” said 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 get ready for them, “dress for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, employment Gentz said.

An elevator pitch is a “fast intro 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 task fair’s goals was to help people discover career chances and how their abilities line up with them, Gentz said.

Education is a key benefit of going to a task fair, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP discover they’re “not ready to make that dive yet,” or they have actually seen the readily available chances and decide to continue serving, Gentz stated.

“We see that basically every year,” he said. “We desire them to make an educated decision about their career.”

Part of the education piece is learning more about finances, including credit reports, budget plans and “constructing 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 someday,” he stated, “however while you remain in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to go out?”

Job fairs likewise exist to help individuals with networking, seeing what people in the outdoors world are searching for – including accreditations, accreditations and education – and learning 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 stated.

That prep work consists of preparing for task fairs.

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

He described that guests ought to determine the business they wish to consult with and research them ahead of time, to enable for educated conversations with recruiters.

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