Military community learns about career and job opportunities at Hiring Heroes Career Fair

  • Published
  • By Steve Elliott
  • 502nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas --  

Several hundred transitioning service members, retirees and their families found plenty of career and job opportunities and made connections with employers at the Hiring Heroes Career Fair at the Sam Houston Community Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Sept. 19.

More than 70 employers, from the private to the governmental sector, were present to showcase their employment opportunities, as well as scout America's best talent. The event was designed to inform and energize service members, spouses and veterans transition planning and connect them with potential employers.

The Transition Assistance Program at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston put on the career fair and provides counseling and job assistance to service members who are preparing to leave the military.

The Hiring Heroes Career Fair is held twice a year, in March and September, at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston. The first Hiring Heroes Career Fair was held at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston 13 years ago. This event was the 26th of its kind to be held at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston since 2005.

The four-hour fair offered job seekers the chance to submit their resume with the possibility that some employers will conduct on-the-spot interviews at the fair.

“If you’re here representing a company and you’re looking for talent, look no further,” said Col. Samuel L. Fiol, commander, 502nd Force Support Group to the employers present. “You’re going to meet highly qualified individuals with critical job-related skills, outstanding competencies and exceptional qualities.

“On top of this, they bring leadership, decisiveness and real-world experience. They learn how to make difficult decisions in adverse situations,” Fiol added. “That’s what the men and women you met today can bring to your teams.”

According to Candace Hillard, Transition Assistance Program transition services manager, some of those interviews could lead to job offers for transitioning service members and military family members.

Out of the 600 job seekers who attended the last Hiring Heroes Career Fair in March, 41 were offered jobs on the spot, Hillard said.

Hillard said transitioning service members and military members have characteristics and skills such as reliability, flexibility, a hard work ethic, knowledge and loyalty that employers are seeking.

“I think the skill set our military population brings to the table is very valuable,” she said.