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 hunters, employment she attended a hiring fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

« I just attempt to benefit from all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to offer, just to make certain I’m as prepared as possible, » she stated.

The focus of the job fair on state employment, rather than employment in numerous industries, made it different than others on the setup. Sponsored by the Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, it began with a panel of veterans from state firms, employment who shared their experiences and answered questions. Following the panel, employers from state agencies were available to respond to employing concerns, stated 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, employment Community Services Division; and Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

A quarterly occasion, the task fair is « a low-stress, low-pressure opportunity to find out what sort of chances exist here outside your back entrance, » stated 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 prepare for employment 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 looking to do, » Handoe said, mentioning that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.

Among the job fair’s goals was to help individuals learn more about career opportunities and how their skills line up with them, Gentz said.

Education is a crucial benefit of going to a job reasonable, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP learn they’re « not prepared to make that dive yet, » or they have seen the offered opportunities and decide to continue serving, Gentz said.

« We see that generally every year, » he stated. « We want them to make an informed decision about their career. »

Part of the education piece is finding out about finances, consisting of credit reports, spending plans and « developing a nest egg 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, « but while you’re in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to get out? »

Job fairs also exist to assist people with networking, seeing what people in the outdoors world are looking for – including accreditations, accreditations and education – and learning more about their employing practices, Handoe stated.

« You need to 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 an employing fair with a plan of what you’re going to do and not just meander around, » Handoe stated.

He discussed that attendees should identify the companies they want to talk with and research them ahead of time, to enable educated discussions with employers.

Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 task fair and consulted with some recruiters. A senior details technology expert with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has discovered she wants to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian role.