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Job fair targets military

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WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE — The third annual New Year, New Career job fair connected current military members, veterans and families to 67 employers Thursday, which saw 70 attendees within the first hour.

It took place 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hope Hotel.

Military Veterans Resource Center Communications Officer Abby Reynolds said within the past two career fairs hosted by the MVRC, it saw between 150 to 200 job seekers and around 40 employers attend. This year featured the most employers the annual event had ever seen, and she wished to see more individuals in hopes of obtaining a career make an appearance.

“I’m hoping they find jobs they maybe weren’t aware were available with their background, skills and military experiences,” Reynolds said. “I’m hoping they are finding that they can translate [experiences] to careers and find jobs they can apply their skills to.”

A variety of employers, such as Reynolds and Reynolds, Meijer and iHeartMedia appeared at the event. A number of trade schools and colleges also made appearances, such as the Ron West Barber College.

“In my experiences, all the military guys are really well trained,” said Ron West, owner of the Ron West Barber College. “They’ve been programmed to work really hard and they do really well in the fields they go into.”

Albert Greaves served in the Air Force for eight years, landing in the area last month after being in Japan since 2011 and spending the former four years in Delaware. His mother alerted him of the job fair upon his arrival, and he hoped to network during the event.

“It’s a little nerve-wracking, to be honest,” Greaves said. “The past eight years I had a steady job, no worries. Now [I’m] back out here in the civilian life looking for a job.”

Patricia Chambers is a mother of a military member and daughter of a late Air Force member, and is currently retired from her job in Columbus but is seeking to move to the Dayton area. She used the career fair as a means of getting to know the area, and hopes to keep her self busy upon arriving in the community.

She advised job seekers to come prepared with appropriate dress and resumes in hand.

“[Job seekers should] make sure they have all the key words [on their resume] for the position they’re looking for,” Chambers said. ” … Smile, dress accordingly, look potential employers in the eye when speaking and take their time and enjoy it. It’s a wonderful atmosphere here.”

Whitney Vickers | Greene County News Sixty-seven employers appeared at the career fair and approximetly 70 individuals attended within the first hour of the event.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2016/01/web1_mvcrfair1.jpgWhitney Vickers | Greene County News Sixty-seven employers appeared at the career fair and approximetly 70 individuals attended within the first hour of the event.

Whitney Vickers | Greene County News Sixty-seven employers appeared at the career fair and approximetly 70 individuals attended within the first hour of the event.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2016/01/web1_mvcrfair2.jpgWhitney Vickers | Greene County News Sixty-seven employers appeared at the career fair and approximetly 70 individuals attended within the first hour of the event.

Whitney Vickers | Greene County News Sixty-seven employers appeared at the career fair and approximetly 70 individuals attended within the first hour of the event.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2016/01/web1_mvcrfair3.jpgWhitney Vickers | Greene County News Sixty-seven employers appeared at the career fair and approximetly 70 individuals attended within the first hour of the event.

By Whitney Vickers

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Whitney Vickers can be reached by calling her directly at 937-502-4532, or on Twitter @wnvickers. For more content online, visit our website or like our Facebook page.