Companies looking for employees target veterans at job expo

CINCINNATI - Veterans had the chance to meet and interact with potential employees Thursday, August 26 at the Great American Ball Park. A job fair sponsored by Xavier University's Veterans Affairs Office was held so former military members could find work or learn entrepreneurial skills.

Former Army National Guard infantryman K.L. Allen was recruiting both prospective students and employees for a local college, "If you want to come back to Brown Mackie College and utilized your benefits, as well as, we also have career opportunities that are available to veterans," Allen explained. "We are here in dual roles to support the military the best we can in our community."

One of the veterans looking for work was Stephen Courtney. He is newly married and has a three month-old son, "I haven't been out of work. I have a job, but I'm looking for a career."

Courtney is concerned about what he considers a lack of experience, but as Recruit Military's events coordinator Robert Walker suggests, getting a job is about marketing yourself, "[Veterans,] they are disciplined and dedicated. they are loyal and trainable. All of these things whether you're a mechanic or in the infantry, all of these things are what make veterans great employees.

The companies at the job expo included Proctor & Gamble, Coca-Cola, Prudential, numerous police departments and colleges.

Courtney's wife Rebecca was impressed with the selection of companies, "It's good to see that there is so many job opportunities here… like good ones that he can look at."

Stephen's ideal situation is to find a career rather than a job, "I'll work for a year or so and then use my G.I. Bill to go to college and get a little bit more experience to further my career."

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