Get a job! That was my goal when I attended the 2017 SAME Transition Workshop & Job Fair last March. But there’s even more value to it that I discovered. Although I had been to other job-related events, this one was more focused, informative, and personal. In addition, it was free for SAME members who are transitioning or who are not currently employed.
This workshop is recommended for junior officers who are contemplating their future and it is a “must attend” for transitioning senior officers. For those of us in engineering fields, it’s especially useful as the onsite recruiters are seeking experienced military engineers.
A multitude of employment opportunities, some I had never considered, were presented. Repeatedly, former servicemembers shared, “I never imagined I’d be working for X company in my current role.”
The lesson was to keep your options open and explore many avenues during your job hunt. This is an important consideration to avoid being in the 75 percent of veterans who change jobs within 18 months post transition. Each of the presentations, panels, and training sessions on resume preparation and interviewing provided insightful tips. I left with an extensive to-do list. Networking was perhaps the most valuable part of the day. We learned that in our demographic, 80 percent of jobs are acquired through networking.
This workshop is recommended for junior officers who are contemplating their future and it is a “must attend” for transitioning senior officers.
The gathering of companies, federal agencies, universities, transition professionals, as well as dozens of military job seekers, was perfect for exchanging and sharing information. I strongly recommend this workshop to those seeking a new career in the private sector and employers looking to hire transitioning military engineers. The forum provided through SAME is collegial and beneficial for all participants.
How to Register
For more information or to register for the 2018 SAME Transition Workshop & Job Fair (#SAMETW), being held Feb. 22-23 at Embassy Suites BWI Airport, visit www.same.org/transition. Recruiting suites are available for companies, agencies, and academic institutions. Contact Kelly Dawson at kdawson@same.org for more information.
-Guest Post by Lt. Col. Dave Hurley, USA (Ret.), 2017 Attendee
