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 preparing for the shift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

As part of a group of about 30 task applicants, she participated in an employing fair Jan. 30 that showcased Washington State career chances at JBLM's Hawk Career Center.

"I simply try to benefit from all the resources and services that the (Transition Assistance Program) Center has to provide, just to make certain I'm as prepared as possible," she said.

The focus of the job fair on state employment, rather than employment in various 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 answered questions. Following the panel, employers from state firms were readily available to respond to employing concerns, stated Frank Handoe, deputy transition services supervisor employment for the TAP.

Informational tables represented companies 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 .

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

To prepare for them, "dress 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 aiming to do," Handoe said, pointing out that the skill is taught as part of the TAP.

Among the task fair's goals was to help individuals learn more about career chances and how their abilities line up with them, Gentz said.

Education is a crucial advantage of attending a task fair, as about 40% of those who start with the TAP discover they're "not prepared to make that jump yet," or they have actually seen the readily available chances and decide to continue serving, Gentz said.

"We see that basically every year," he said. "We want them to make an informed choice about their career."

Part of the education piece is finding out about financial resources, consisting of credit reports, budget plans and "constructing a nest egg so you have something to deal with when it's time to go out," Handoe said.

"Everybody's going to get out of the Army sooner or later," he said, "but while you remain in, are you doing everything you can to prepare to go out?"

Job fairs also exist to assist individuals with networking, seeing what people in the outdoors world are trying to find - consisting of certifications, accreditations and education - and finding out about their working with practices, Handoe said.

"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 getting ready for task fairs.

"You require to go into an employing fair with a plan of what you're going to do and not simply meander around," Handoe stated.

He discussed that guests should determine the companies they want to consult with and research them ahead of time, to enable educated conversations with employers.

Nolan delighted in the Jan. 30 task fair and talked to some recruiters. A senior infotech professional with the 16th Combat Aviation Unit, she has found she wants to serve those who serve in her upcoming civilian role.