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JBLM Job Fair Showcases State Employment Opportunities

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

As part of a group of about 30 job applicants, she went to an employing fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession 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, simply to ensure I’m as prepared as possible,” she stated.

The focus of the task fair on state employment, instead of work in numerous markets, made it different 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 questions. Following the panel, recruiters from state firms were readily available to address working with questions, stated Frank Handoe, deputy transition services manager for the TAP.

Informational tables represented organizations 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 Insurance Commissioner.

A quarterly event, the task fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure chance to learn what type of opportunities exist here outside your back entrance,” stated Christopher Gentz, transition services manager for the Directorate of .

Additional task fairs like the Jan. 30 event will be held May 8, July 10 and Sept. 11.

To prepare 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 wanting to do,” Handoe said, pointing out that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

Among the job fair’s objectives was to help individuals learn more about profession chances and how their skills line up with them, Gentz stated.

Education is an essential benefit of going to a task 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 opportunities and decide to continue serving, Gentz stated.

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

Part of the education piece is discovering financial resources, including credit reports, spending plans and “developing a nest egg so you have something to deal with when it’s time to get out,” Handoe said.

“Everybody’s going to get out of the Army one day,” he stated, “but while you’re 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 looking for – consisting of certifications, accreditations and education – and referall.us learning about their employing practices, Handoe said.

“You should be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do in the future down the road,” he stated.

That preparation work includes preparing for task fairs.

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

He explained that participants need to pinpoint the business they wish to consult with and research study them ahead of time, to permit for educated conversations with employers.

Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 task reasonable and spoke to some recruiters. A senior infotech professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has actually found she wishes to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian role.