 |
 |
 |
 |
| |
|||||
|
|
|
Home > About Us > Corporate Citizenship > | |||||||
| MITRE Assists at VA Jobs Fair March 2012
Twenty-one MITRE employees played a supporting role at the Department of Veterans Affairs' VA for Vets Career Fair and Expo on Jan. 18, using eight to 10 hours of civic time, a company benefit that encourages volunteerism. "Our job was simple," says Pamela Thornton, project leader for VA's Veteran Employment Services Office (VESO) effort. "We focused on supporting veterans who sacrificed to serve us." From sunup until sundown, MITRE volunteers worked side-by-side with sponsor representatives to escort veterans into the Walter E. Washington Convention Center Hall. They then helped the veterans find the queues for resume writing, talking with coaches, interviewing, and signing up for benefits. "Veterans deserve access to professional toolkits that assist them with launching the next phase of their careers," says Thornton. "The expo was definitely a win-win for veterans and employers. Employers could hire someone with tested leadership skills and strong character. The day was a big success." Tom O'Dea, MITRE's project leader for VA's Strategic Management Group, served as a team captain the day of the event. "My team had the chance to link several veterans directly to hiring managers," he says. "Many of them came back to tell us they got a job offer. That was a thrill." Marcus Livingston, the company's program manager for the VA Human Resources & Administration Program, sought approval to use civic time from MITRE Quality of Work Life Director Bill Albright. Thornton orchestrated the call for volunteers and kept the MITRE team in the loop until the morning of the event. Volunteers attended a mandatory orientation on the day before the event and were given a choice between a morning or afternoon shift during the fair itself. Many worked longer than their scheduled shift to spend more time honoring and assisting the veterans. Livingston, who served 22 years in the Air Force, says, "As a veteran who moved into the civilian world, I understand the anxiety associated with moving from the structured military environment, where careers are managed by functional specialties, to the civilian world, where competitive experience and job hunting skills are required for finding a job and moving up the ladder. The Department of Veterans Affairs, through VA for Vets, will relieve some of that angst veterans experience and can help smooth the way forward." MITRE also knows the importance of and contributions that veterans can make to an organization, says Center for Connected Government Human Resources Manager Deborah Hall-Greene. "MITRE continues to be in the forefront with its training and support of our veterans, as evidenced by our success with our Severely Wounded Veterans Intern Program, and Suits for Vets," she says. "Our support for VA's Career Expo for veterans is another way of showing our sincere commitment to such a worthwhile cause. Putting our veterans back to work is certainly in the public's interest and it has MITRE's full support. "I was humbled to be asked to be a part of this great event, and I congratulate the VA and all of the volunteers for their participation," adds Hall-Greene. Hall-Greene, who also serves as protocol officer for the Tuskegee Airmen, presented autographed souvenir Tuskegee Airmen HBO journals to two VA officials—Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration John U. Sepúlveda and VESO Director Mary M. Santiago—in recognition of their tremendous efforts to serve veterans. —by Lee Chappell
Page last updated: March 15, 2012 | Top of page |
Solutions That Make a Difference.® |
|
|
