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 getting ready for the transition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 task hunters, she went to an employing fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

“I simply attempt to take advantage of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to offer, simply to ensure I’m as prepared as possible,” she said.

The focus of the task fair on state employment, rather than employment in different industries, 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 firms, who shared their experiences and addressed questions. Following the panel, recruiters from state agencies were readily available to respond to working with concerns, 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 occasion, the task fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure chance to discover what kind of opportunities exist here outside your back entrance,” said Christopher Gentz, shift services manager 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 them, “gown for success,” bring your resume and practice your elevator pitch, Gentz stated.

An elevator pitch is a “quick introduction of yourself, who you are and what you’re wanting to do,” Handoe stated, mentioning that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

Among the task fair’s objectives was to assist people discover about profession chances and referall.us how their skills align with them, Gentz stated.

Education is an essential advantage of participating in a job reasonable, 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 choose to continue serving, Gentz stated.

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

Part of the education piece is discovering finances, including credit reports, spending plans and “building a savings 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 get out?”

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

“You must be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do later on down the road,” he said.

That prep work includes preparing for job fairs.

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

He explained that participants ought to determine the companies they wish to speak to and research them ahead of time, to allow for informed discussions with employers.

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