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 candidates, she attended a Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career chances at JBLM’s Hawk Career Center.

“I simply try to make the most of all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to offer, simply to make sure I’m as prepared as possible,” she stated.

The focus of the task fair on state work, instead of work in various industries, made it different than others on the setup. 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 concerns. Following the panel, recruiters from state agencies were readily available to respond to employing questions, said Frank Handoe, deputy shift 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 job fair is “a low-stress, low-pressure chance to learn what kind of opportunities exist here outdoors your back door,” said Christopher Gentz, transition services manager for the Directorate of Human Resources.

Additional job fairs like the Jan. 30 event 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 intro of yourself, who you are and what you’re seeking to do,” Handoe stated, discussing that the ability is taught as part of the TAP.

One of the job fair’s objectives was to help individuals find out about career opportunities and how their skills line up with them, Gentz stated.

Education is a key advantage of going to a job reasonable, as about 40% of those who begin with the TAP learn they’re “not ready to make that jump yet,” or they have actually seen the offered opportunities and decide to continue serving, Gentz stated.

“We see that generally every year,” he stated. “We desire them to make an informed decision about their profession.”

Part of the education piece is learning about financial resources, including credit reports, spending plans and “building 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 sooner or later,” he said, “but while you’re in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to go out?”

Job fairs likewise exist to assist individuals with networking, seeing what people in the outdoors world are looking for – consisting of certifications, referall.us accreditations and schooling – and finding out about their working with practices, Handoe stated.

“You need to be doing prep work now for what it is you wish to do later down the roadway,” he stated.

That prep work consists of preparing for job fairs.

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

He discussed that participants need to determine the companies they wish to consult with and research study them ahead of time, to enable educated conversations with recruiters.

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