Job Assistance Workshops a First for Guardsmen and Reservists in Missouri

By Bill Phelan, Missouri National Guard

The happiness of a soldier returning from deployment can be quickly tempered with the prospect of having to look for a civilian job in this tough economy. That can be especially true for members of the National Guard and the Reserves, many of whom serve part time and need a civilian job to make ends meet.  

With that in mind, the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is teaming up with the Missouri Division of Workforce Development to help Guardsmen and Reservists better market themselves to civilian employers. The two agencies will host a pair of Reserve Component Transition Assistance Program workshops to help Service members prepare for two upcoming veterans’ career fairs. It is the first time such workshops have been offered to Guardsmen and Reservists in Missouri.  

“The workshops were originally designed to help prepare active duty service members who are leaving the military to transition back into civilian life,” said Terry Beas, a local veteran’s employment representative at the Sedalia Career Center. 

“We don’t actually get them jobs, but we do get them to the agencies that can help them get jobs,” added Annette Jennings, an ESGR program support technician in Jefferson City. “So the Reserve Component Transition Assistance Program is designed to help Service members transition off of active duty and into the job market and, in this case, better prepare for the career fairs.”  

The first “TAP” workshop will take place Oct. 19-20 at the Missouri Air National Guard facility at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. The second will be Nov. 7-8 at the Ike Skelton Training Site in Jefferson City.  

“We’re going help these individuals realize what they are looking for,” said Beas. “We’re going to help them realize what their transferable skills are. A lot of military skills are transferable, such as leadership and communication. We’re also going to work on resumes, job interview skills, negotiating skills and job search skills.”  

Both the workshops and the career fairs are open to any Guardsmen or Reservist and their spouses, and any veteran who is unemployed or underemployed. On-site registration for both workshops begins at 7:30 a.m. although advanced registration is encouraged. To register for the St. Louis workshop, contact ESGR Coordinator Brandy Scheer, bscheer@fsastl.com . To register for the Jefferson City workshop contact Annette Jennings, Annette.jennings@us.army.mil .  

For those attending the Jeff City workshop, Beas has offered to review resumes in advance. Those interested can send resumes to, terry.beas@ded.mo.gov . 
 

The first veterans’ career fair will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 28 at the District 9 Machinist’s Hall, 12365 St. Charles Rock Road in Bridgeton. The second will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11 in the J.C. Penney wing of the Capitol Mall in Jefferson City.  Attending the workshops is not a requirement to attend the career fairs.  

Those planning to attend a career fair should dress for a job interview, bring a photo ID and copies of their resume.   

 “These workshops and career fairs could be a big factor in helping these Service members return to a job and civilian life,” said Jennings.   
 

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