LANGLEY AFB, VA. –
In an effort to better prepare active-duty, separating and retired military members and their spouses for the civilian job sector, the Family Support Center has teamed with the Virginia Employment Commission to offer career counseling every Thursday.
The sessions, offered noon to 4 p.m., are designed to answer any questions the customer may have concerning job searches and offer them ideas and techniques for job search challenges, said Michael Neil, VEC counselor and retired Air Force pilot.
“Specifically beneficial to the customers are the insights from veteran representatives which have been gained by personal experience during their transition (to the civilian sector) and information provided by other veterans and local employer visits, panels and meetings,” he said.
As a former transitioning military member, Mr. Neil said his experiences could help lead customers through almost any scenario.
“I liked the military life and have been through almost every phase of transition (career change, job search, disability process, etc.). I have a desire to help military people understand what options they have when they make the decision to leave the military,” he said.
One of the mediums Mr. Neil’s customers pass through before his career counseling is the FSC’s Transition Assistance Program. The five-day TAP class offers briefings on such things as how to write a dynamic résumé, how to prepare for an interview and how to translate military skills into the civilian sector.
Though attending TAP is not a prerequisite for VEC career counseling, Mr. Neil said that the VEC sessions is designed as an extension of what is covered in TAP.
“Benefits of the sessions are only in the eyes of the customer. However, support for the customer can be on a continuing basis through the FSC and VEC,” Mr. Neil said.
Though customers are required to bring nothing more than an open mind, Mr. Neil encourages them to bring note-taking materials and any materials about specific jobs they are seeking.