Job Fair provides informed decisions for future civilians

The Airman and Family Readiness Center launched the annual job fair for Desert Lightning Team members at the Mirage Club May 15 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

“There is everything from local hires to international organizations that are looking for people that might want a contracting job somewhere,” said Master Sgt. April Little, 355th Force Support Squadron career assistance advisor. “There were 51 companies representing this year’s job fair with more than 500 participants.”

The Airman and Family Readiness Center is the focal point for this particular job fair. They are the ones that reach out to all the different companies and get all the participation.

“The job fair is literally one of the best mass briefings and opportunities for Airmen who are looking at jobs in the civilian work force,” Little said. “Their dependants, who might have had to leave their job because of orders, can also look for employment. This is even a way for retirees who have a job to see if there is something out there that better suits them.”

The job fair is an opportunity to see how many different businesses and companies are available out there and see what these companies are looking for.

“I came to the job fair to look into my next career path,” said Master Sgt. Gary Graham, 355th Logistics Readiness Squadron shop foreman. “I am thinking about fleet management-type jobs and looking into Border Patrol. With Border Patrol, I am looking into their mechanic positions, but I need to make sure I qualify because they have an age limit. I retire in a year and a half and want to stay in Tucson because I love the area and the weather.”

Included in the plethora of jobs in the states, there are other opportunities regionally and internationally.

“Many people don’t realize they can branch out into other career fields,” Little said. “A lot of people think they are limited because they might have little experience, there are so many options that the chance you will be an asset to one of many different fields is great.”

To get the facts about a new career path speaking to a subject matter expert in that career field is the best route.

“I heard a lot of things about Border Patrol from other people and I had never spoken to an agent until now, but he dispelled the rumors I have heard about the 40 year cut off, that’s for the civilian sector but there isn’t a cut off for prior military,” Graham said. “He told me it was a good thing I came and spoke to them early instead of waiting until I am already retired because it’s a year-long process.”