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TACOMA, Wash. - Approximately 500 service members, retirees, and
family members attended the second annual Boots 2 Work Military
Career Fair at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, Wash. on Aug. 27, 2014.
Workforce Central hosted the event, which gave attendants the
opportunity to meet with employers currently offering jobs.
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Approximately 500 service members, retirees, and family members
speak with employers from the Puget Sound area during a career fair
in Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, WA on August 27, 2014. Workforce
Central hosted the Boots 2 Work Military Career Fair to connect the
Joint Base Lewis-McChord and surrounding communities to local
employers currently hiring. (Courtesy Photo)
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“This is another opportunity for job seekers to seek out
employers,” said Shellie Willis, military workforce
development manager.
Willis, a retired Army veteran,
said she understands the difficulties of transitioning out
of the service and believes events like Boots 2 Work are
vital to all service members preparing to transition out of
the military.
“The need has increased this year,”
Willis said. “Last year there was no threat of forced
transition, but this year it's very real. This year the need
for spouses and service members to find employment has
intensified.”
In the past year, the military as a
whole has begun a downsizing process. The Army plans to
reduce its current number of Soldiers from approximately
570,000 to 440,000 over the next decade. Many Soldiers will
be transitioning out of the Army and will need to find work
elsewhere.
Madalain Merton, business service
specialist for Workforce Central, has noticed an increase in
veterans searching for employment outside of the military in
this year's event.
“Compared to last year there's a
lot more applications coming through,” said Merton.
Willis and Merton noticed the growth of employment needs for
veterans and used the event as a way to assist their needs.
R�sum� reviews and fashion advice were a few of the services
offered during the event. Some attendants received makeovers
to educate them on appropriate attire for interviews and
meetings with employers.
Jessica Johnson, a retired
Air Force master sergeant and stay-at-home mom, said the
services offered at the event are a big help during a job
search. She received a lot of useful information about
applying for jobs when she attended a workshop for the
career fair a day prior to the event. The workshop included
valuable tips on what employers are searching for and where
to apply. Johnson thinks events like Boots 2 Work should be
required for all service members.
“It's not always
about the job itself, but you as an individual learning how
you fit in a specific employment,” Johnson said.
Military
focused career fairs are not only a great opportunity for
service members and their families, but for employers
seeking well-trained workers.
“I think veterans
supply a really finite skill set that helps organizations
leapfrog that transition when training new employees,” said
Terrence Hodge, veteran business services associate.
“Veterans bring in a lot of experience being able to think
on their feet, take initiative and have a very ready-made
process for organizations.”
Hodge transitioned out of
the Army as a sergeant first class and believes his military
background helped tremendously in his search for a new
career.
The self-discipline, good work ethic,
leadership experience, and integrity embedded into military
personnel is a great asset for service members when they are
seeking employment, Merton added.
Along with the
annual career fair in Tacoma, Workforce Central also assists
with hosting a biannual career fair on Joint Base Lewis-McChord
with the Army Career and Alumni Program. All veterans and
their family members are encouraged to take advantage of
every career fair offered to gain better knowledge and
opportunities.
“The more you network the more you
gain experience in being able to connect with employers and
be able to market yourself,” Willis said.
“Events
like this are great for Soldiers leaving the service,” said
Sgt. Joshua Parr, motor transport operator, 513th
Transportation Company.
Parr is transitioning out of
the Army due to physical injuries and thinks his military
background and attending the career fair can give him a head
start in finding employment.
Attendants at the career
fair met with 65 different military friendly businesses
looking to hire. Service members and retirees like Parr and
Johnson increased their understanding of the application
process and how to use their military past to their
advantage.
Willis and the rest of the
Workforce Central team hope they positively impacted the
efforts of transitioning service members and the Pierce
County community.
“Last year we had 17 confirmed
hires, possibly more,” Willis said. “This year we hope for
many more.”
Individuals who attend military-focused
events like the Boots 2 Work Career Fair can benefit by
finding their future careers in the civilian job market
before transitioning out of the military service.
By U.S. Army Sgt. Deja Borden
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2014
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