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 shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 task seekers, she went to a working with reasonable Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career chances at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

«I just attempt to make the most of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center needs to use, just to make sure I’m as prepared as possible,» she stated.

The focus of the task fair on state employment, rather than work in various markets, made it various than others on the installation. Sponsored by the Veterans Employee Resource Group, WorkSource and the TAP, it started with a panel of veterans from state agencies, who shared their experiences and responded to questions. Following the panel, employers from state companies were readily available to respond to working with questions, stated Frank Handoe, deputy transition services manager for employment the TAP.

Informational tables 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 opportunity to discover what sort of opportunities exist here outdoors your back door,» said Christopher Gentz, shift services manager for employment 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, Gentz said.

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

One of the job fair’s objectives was to help individuals discover profession chances and how their abilities align with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a key benefit of going to a task reasonable, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP discover they’re «not all set to make that jump yet,» or they have seen the offered opportunities and decide to continue serving, Gentz said.

«We see that generally every year,» he said. «We desire them to make an informed decision about their profession.»

Part of the education piece is learning more about finances, including credit reports, budget plans and «developing a savings 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 one day,» he said, «but while you remain in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to get out?»

Job fairs likewise exist to assist individuals with networking, seeing what people in the outdoors world are searching for — including certifications, accreditations and schooling — and learning more about their employing practices, Handoe stated.

«You should be doing prep work now for what it is you desire to do later down the roadway,» he stated.

That preparation work includes getting ready for job fairs.

«You require to go into an employing reasonable with a plan of what you’re going to do and not simply meander around,» Handoe said.

He discussed that participants must pinpoint the business they wish to speak with and research study them ahead of time, employment to permit informed discussions with employers.

Nolan took pleasure in the Jan. 30 job reasonable and talked with some recruiters. A senior details technology professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has found she wishes to serve those who serve in her approaching civilian role.