JBLM Job Fair Showcases State Employment Opportunities

JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – Staff Sergeant 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 reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State profession opportunities at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

“I just try to make the most of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to use, just to make certain I’m as prepared as possible,” she stated.

The focus of the job fair on state work, rather than employment in different markets, made it various than others on the setup. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, it started with a panel of veterans from state companies, who shared their experiences and addressed questions. Following the panel, recruiters from state agencies were readily available to respond to working with questions, 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 chance to learn what type of chances exist here outside your back door,” said Christopher Gentz, transition services supervisor for the Directorate of Human Resources.

Additional job fairs like the Jan. 30 occasion 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 “quick introduction of yourself, who you are and what you’re aiming to do,” Handoe said, employment mentioning that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.

Among the task fair’s goals was to help people find out about profession chances and how their abilities align with them, Gentz stated.

Education is an essential advantage of going to a task fair, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP discover they’re “not all set to make that dive yet,” or they have seen the offered opportunities and decide to continue serving, Gentz stated.

“We see that generally every year,” he stated. “We want them to make an informed choice about their career.”

Part of the education piece is finding out about finances, including credit reports, budget plans and “developing a nest egg so you have something to deal with when it’s time to get out,” Handoe stated.

“Everybody’s going to get out of the Army one day,” he said, “however while you remain in, are you doing whatever you can to prepare to get out?”

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

“You need to be doing prep work now for what it is you desire to do in the future down the roadway,” he said.

That preparation work includes preparing for task fairs.

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

He discussed that guests should identify the business they wish to talk to and research study them ahead of time, to permit for educated conversations with employers.

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