2016 EXECUTIVE SYMPOSIUM. at Joint Base Lewis McChord May 4, 2016

Transcription

1 2016 EXECUTIVE SYMPOSIUM at Joint Base Lewis McChord May 4, 2016

2 MISSION STATEMENT Military Hiring Community Education ~ Strategies ~ Attraction ~ Retention Hire America s Heroes connects America s corporations with the rich skills and abilities of military service members and their families for the purpose of employment in the corporate workforce. Our organization engages in industry leading educational events and activities designed to educate, promote and facilitate best practices and success strategies in military-to-corporate employment. TABLE OF CONTENTS Agenda 1 Guests and Presenters 2 Corporate Employee Showcase 4 Managing Expectations & Beliefs/Myth Busting Exercise Networking and Mentors Transition Resources We welcome each of you this morning to the Hire America s Heroes Executive Symposium. Today s gathering of military leaders, corporate members, and veteran service providers truly showcases the collaboration of our Military Hiring Community here in the Puget Sound area. We have come to know the value of working together to take action in the military to civilian employment journey and look forward to exploring this topic further and learning from each other. Andrea Nelson Thank you for taking part in this collaborative gathering. Executive Director Hire America s Heroes Front cover photo: U.S. Army Soldiers and aircraft assigned to 16th Combat Aviation Brigade join Soldiers and equipment from 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division for a combined arms live-fire exercise at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., April 4, 2016.; Back cover photo: A Soldier assigned to 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division launches an RQ-11 Raven unmanned aerial vehicle during training at Joint Base LewisMcChord, Wash., May 14, The training teaches new operators how to fly and control the UAV for surveillance and reconnaissance on the battlefield. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Chad Guthrie, 28th Public Affairs Detachment)

3 Hire America s Heroes 2016 Executive Symposium at Joint Base Lewis McChord Program Agenda for May 4, :30 AM - 12:30 PM 9:00 AM Arrival & Check-In 9:30-9:35 AM Welcome - Emcee Dan Pass, Economic Liaison, Dept. of Veteran Affairs 9:35-9:55 AM Opening Remarks James M. Collins, Major General, U.S. Army (Retired), President and Board Chair, Hire America s Heroes Major General Kurt Fuller, Deputy Commanding General, I Corps, Joint Base Lewis McChord 9:55-10:45 AM Corporate Employee Showcase 10:45-11:45 AM Managing Expectations & Beliefs/Myth Busing Exercise led by Patricia Conover, Boots to Shoes Foundation 11:45-12:30 PM Networking Lunch All attendees are invited to stay for the afternoon session Gaining the Corporate Edge Workshop taking place next door in the ballroom at 12:45 p.m. Many thanks to our event sponsors- Hire America s Heroes 2016 Executive Symposium 1

4 Guests and Presenters Major General Kurt Fuller Deputy Commanding General, I Corps Joint Base Lewis-McChord 2 Hire America s Heroes 2016 Executive Symposium Major General Kurt Fuller was commissioned into the Infantry in 1981 after graduating from Eastern New Mexico University. He is a graduate of the United States Army Command and General Staff College, Armed Forces Staff College and the United States Army War College. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Eastern New Mexico University and a Master of Arts in Strategic Intelligence from the United States Army War College at Carlisle, Pennsylvania. MG Fuller has commanded Soldiers at all levels including the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; 2nd Brigade, 82d Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; the 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment (Light), Fort Drum, New York; B Company, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia; and D Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry (Mechanized), 2d Infantry Division, Korea. His senior staff assignments include the Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, International Security Assistance Force, later Resolute Support Mission, North Atlantic Treaty Organization/United States Forces-Afghanistan; Special Assistant to the Director of the Army Staff, Office of the Chief of Staff, United States Army, Washington, DC; Chief of Staff, Joint Special Operations Command, United States Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; and Director of Operations, Joint Special Operations Command, United States Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. MG Fuller s operational deployment experience includes Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Iraq; Operation Just Cause, Panama; Operation Uphold Democracy, Haiti; Operation Joint Guardian, Kosovo; Operations Enduring Freedom and Freedom s Sentinel, Afghanistan; and Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq. MG Fuller s awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal; Defense Superior Service Medal; Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters (OLC); Bronze Star Medal with three OLCs; Purple Heart; Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal with five OLCs; Joint Service Commendation Medal; Army Commendation Medal with OLC; Joint Service Achievement Medal with two OLCs; Army Achievement Medal with OLC; Combat Infantry Badge with star; Expert Infantry Badge; Master Parachutist Badge with two bronze stars; Air Assault Badge; Ranger Tab; Pathfinder Badge. James M. Collins, Major General U.S. Army (Retired) President and Board Chair Hire America s Heroes James M. Collins, known by many as Jimmy, is the current President and Board Chair of Hire America s Heroes. He is a consultant in leadership and business topics and previously served as Vice President, Procurement & Energy, for Weyerhaeuser Company. Collins is an experienced executive and opinion leader in the business, military, and volunteer communities of Washington State, as well as nationally. A retired Major General from the U.S. Army, Collins served over 35 years in active duty Army and Reserve leadership roles. In his last active duty assignment he was the Deputy Commanding General and Chief of Staff for I Corps at Fort Lewis, Washington. In that role he led over 30,000 soldiers and employees. He also spent substantial time deployed in Asia and working with America s allies in Thailand, Japan, Korea, Singapore, and the Philippines. His military awards include the Army s Distinguished Service Medal. Collins is a member of several executive advisory boards, including TriWest Healthcare. His community roles include Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for Washington as well as a member of Seattle Rotary Club #4. He chaired the Board of Directors for Seattle s 2012 Seafair Festival. Collins is a Distinguished Eagle Scout and holds Scouting s Silver Beaver Award.

5 Dan Pass Economic Liaison U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Guests and Presenters Dan Pass works as the Economic Liaison consultant to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under the Veterans Economic Communities Initiative. Dan served for twenty years as an Army Intelligence Officer with multiple tours overseas to Germany, Asia and the Middle East. Combat tours include Desert Shield/Desert Storm and Somalia. He is a graduate of the US Army s Intelligence Officer Advance Course, the Army s Command and General Staff College, and the United States Marine Corps Command and Staff College. Dan followed his military career with a variety of jobs in the civilian sector working as an analyst and manager with customers in the Defense, Aerospace, and Intelligence Communities. Dan earned a Bachelor s of Arts in International Relations from Washington State University, a Masters of Arts in Middle Eastern Studies from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma WA, and later a MBA also from Pacific Lutheran University. His business education includes Program Management Professional Certification and Shipley Certification for Business Development. He also serves as adjunct faculty at PLU in the School of Business. Patricia Conover Executive Director Boots to Shoes Foundation After completing her undergraduate degree in Human Resources and armed with big ideas about leadership and management, Patricia Conover started her career as one of two females leading manufacturing teams in a local aerospace company that made products for the Space Shuttle, Tomahawk Cruise Missile and fuel transmitters for all the major aerospace companies in the world. Building on that learning experience she went on to successfully lead the Quality Assurance team in a Telecommunications company. After completing her Master s Degree in Organization Development, her career included internal and external consulting roles in multiple industries including Insurance, Retail and Information Technology. As Executive Director of the Boots to Shoes Foundation, Patricia uses her experience in private sector business to lead the BTS veterans mentoring program. BTS has provided over 350 Puget Sound veterans and transitioning service members with trained volunteer mentors from the business community. Hire America s Heroes 2016 Executive Symposium 3

6 CORPORATE EMPLOYEE SHOWCASE Hire America s Heroes is proud to feature this session with a panel of recent transitioners who are now working in the corporate setting. The panel captures the importance of capitalizing on available trainings, programs and resources to make the most of new opportunities in the civilian workforce. Dan Pass, Panel Moderator Rusty Hodges Data Center Technician Amazon Rusty Hodges retired from the United States Army on February 26, While in the Army, he deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom ( ) and Operation New Dawn (2011). During his transition from the United States Army, Rusty graduated from Camo2Commerce s Data Center Technician Academy, and received a follow-on offer with Amazon Web Services as a Data Center Technician. Rusty s passion still lies with helping Soldiers and fellow Veterans establish, plan for, and achieve their goals and aspirations. He is honored to be invited to speak at this Hiring America s Heroes Symposium, and hopes that he gets the opportunity to help answer any questions and assist Service Member s with their transition into the civilian work force. Photo Credit: Kenyon White (second left), a heavy mobile equipment inspector for the 88th Regional Support Command, supervises the placement of the driver s seat in a Nuclear, Biological, Chemical, Reconnaissance Vehicle (NBCRV) Stryker, during Field Level Maintenance New Equipment Training (FLMNET), May 7, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. The training is being taken by both 88th RSC civilian mechanics and Soldiers of the 349th and 355th Chemical Companies, both of whom will be fielding the NBCRVs. The training is taking place April 24-May 12, at Equipment Concentration Site 10, JBLM, and is being hosted by the 88th Regional Support Command. It is the first time FLMNET has been taught in the Army Reserve. 4 Hire America s Heroes 2016 Executive Symposium

7 Valentine Smith, Jr. Aviation Maintenance Planner Port of Seattle Valentine Smith, Jr. entered military service in the United States Army in 1999 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma where upon completion of his initial training, he earned the Military Occupational Specialty of 13B (Field Artillery Cannon Crewmember). After being stationed in Korea, Fort Drum New York and a U.N. peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, Valentine was promoted to Sergeant. After one tour in Afghanistan, two tours in Iraq and maintenance School, Valentine was reassigned to Delta Company, 5th Battalion, 5th Regiment Air Defense Artillery at Fort Lewis and in October of that same year he was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. After twelve years of distinguished military service, Valentine made the difficult decision to leave active service and remain in the Pacific Northwest with his family. He joined the Washington Army National Guard September 2011, and was immediately assigned as a Platoon Sergeant. In the late Winter of 2012, Valentine joined the Port of Seattle through the Veterans Fellowship Program in the Aviation Maintenance Department. Valentine has earned a Bachelor s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Brandman University and remains a valuable member of the Port family, working in the same department as his fellowship, with the title of Aviation Maintenance Planner. Jessica Spencer Corporate Fellow Starbucks Jessica studied Horticulture, Plant Nursery Operations and Management, at the College of Agriculture at Auburn University from She holds a Master s of Science from Webster University in Environmental Management. Jessica s military career with the US Army began as a Transportation Officer where she was responsible for the transportation support for Camp Casey and Camp Red Cloud, Korea, transporting fuel, water, and ammunition for troops. Jessica advanced to a Material Management Officer with the US Army serving for nearly three years in this position. She was the responsible Officer for the command supply discipline program for 35th Signal Brigade and was accountable for the initiation and finalization of all Financial Liability Investigation of Property Loss (FLIPL) for the Brigade. In this capacity, she was also the liaison between 18th Airborne Corps Inspector General and 35th Signal Brigade for supply discipline. For nearly two years, Jessica has served as the Logistical Operations Planning Officer for the US Army at Joint Base Lewis McChord. As the Operations Officer, she is responsible for planning and execution of all Battalion and Brigade level sustainment. She was the Head Logistical planner for US Army and Royal Tai Army joint exercise. While still serving in her current position, Jessica has also joined the Starbucks team as a Corporate Fellow here in Tacoma, Washington. Hire America s Heroes 2016 Executive Symposium 5

8 MANAGING EXPECTATIONS & BELIEFS Patricia Conover, Exercise Facilitator Executive Director Boots to Shoes Foundation In the process of job seeking there is a common area of disconnect between what employers post in job openings, or job titles, and the applicants response or resume interpretation. This exercise explores popular expectations from both employers and job seekers and helps to create overall awareness of differences and ways to manage them. Notes: Photo Credit: U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 46th Aviation Support Battalion attach equipment to a UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter assigned to 2-158th Assault Helicopter Battalion during downed aircraft recovery team training at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., March 10. DART training prepares Soldiers to recover aircraft in any environment. 6 Hire America s Heroes 2016 Executive Symposium

9 MYTH BUSTING EXERCISE We all have our own definitions, interpretations and translations of terms. Job titles are a perfect example of where differences occur. In this exercise, we will explore the many differences that exist in just this room. I say Project Manager You say? Military Employer Hire America s Heroes 2016 Executive Symposium 7

10 MANAGING EXPECTATIONS EXERCISE Expectation Entry Point (Entry Level, Mid Level, Senior Level) Military Responses Employer Salary Culture 8 Hire America s Heroes 2016 Executive Symposium

11 NETWORKING & MENTORS Value of Networking Nearly 80% of jobs are obtained through networking! CONNECTIONS - Do not overlook the simple benefit of having a network for conversation and exploration. A two way dialog. People need people. OPPORTUNITIES - All the best opportunities are shared person to person. Explore and discover opportunities you may not find through typical channels. ADVICE -We rely on networks to advise us and keep us on track. There are some things Google cannot tell you. ASSISTANCE - Networking is the way to build conversation and community. An exchange of introductions and resources. POSITIVE INFLUENCE - You become who you associate with. Locate A Mentor! Use the network you ve built to locate a mentor. This is someone who can explain how to get into your career field, share your resume with hiring managers and explain any experience or education gaps. Service members with a corporate mentor (someone employed outside of the military) are able to obtain employment twice as fast as those without. Networking is the best way to identify a mentor that will meet your needs, try attending local events (MeetUp is a great resource). Networking Lunch Challenge Connect with three people during today s lunch. Find out who they are, what they do, their contact information and how you can further enhance your Network with them. Hire America s Heroes 2016 Executive Symposium 9

12 TRANSITION RESOURCES Airstreams Renewables Inc. Airstreams Renewables INC on JBLM is a Career Skills Program that trains transitioning service members and veterans and assists in their placement into the Wind and Telecommunications industries. Information on the program can be found at Boots to Shoes Foundation Boots to Shoes Foundation provides transitioning military with trained volunteer mentors from the business community to assist with job search planning, career strategizing and networking preparation. Veterans are matched with mentors based on geographic location, career interests and other identified criteria. Camo2Commerce Camo2Commerce connects exiting service members and their spouses with high demand civilian careers. The initiative assists transitioning military personnel in becoming the most prepared job seekers on the market. Four Block Career Readiness Program The Four Block Career Readiness Program provides transitioning Post 9/11 veterans with the essential tools needed to jumpstart civilian careers. The goal of the program is to empower veterans, who are pursuing or have obtained their degrees, to obtain competitive internships and full-time positions at companies or organizations that match their interests, attributes, and strengths. Veterans emerge from this program equipped with: A community of veteran colleagues and industry professionals that will support them in beginning a new career Personalized career search strategy and execution plan Ability to communicate military experiences and qualifications into relevant business contexts Proficiency and confidence in writing targeted resumes and conducting successful interviews Corporate cultural competency and networking strategies for building professional relationships See more at: 10 Hire America s Heroes 2016 Executive Symposium

13 Goodwill of the Olympics & Rainier Region s Veteran Services Program Goodwill of the Olympics & Rainier Region s Veteran Services Program assists Military & Veteran families with job readiness and placement services. Developing individualized holistic plans to help each participant succeed, case managers assist in resume writing, mock interviews, networking skills and other services. Utilizing a vast network of business connections the program is able to help job seekers connect with hiring managers, resulting in job placement, retention and long term financial stability. May 11, 2016, Goodwill Networking Event Hire America s Heroes Hire America s heroes engages in industry leading educational events and activities designed to educate, promote and facilitate best practices and success strategies in military-to-corporate employment. Microsoft Software & Systems Academy (MSSA) Microsoft Software & Systems Academy is a training program that helps active duty U.S. service members transition to a career in technology. Mount Rainier Chapter of the Adjutant General Corps Regimental Association The goal of The Mount Rainier Chapter of the Adjutant General Corps Regimental Association is to foster a spirit of good will and cooperative endeavor among its membership and perpetuate friendships and traditions within the Regiment. The AGCRA facilitates sponsoring new HR methods, improved techniques, developments and other innovations designed to increase the efficiency of the United States Army, while promoting high standards of proficiency in members of the Adjutant General s Corps and Army s Human Resources Community. Hire America s Heroes 2016 Executive Symposium 11

14 TRANSITION RESOURCES Northeastern University - Seattle Northeastern is committed to serving those who have served our country. We want to help you transition into your next career, by offering: Industry-Aligned Programs, Financial and Personal Support, Dedicated Career Services, Tailored Educational Experiences, and An Active Community. Visit us at: to learn more about our programs and services. Service Member for Life - Transition Assistance Program Service Member for Life - Transition Assistance Program s mission is to provide pre-separation counseling, transition and employment assistance services to Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve Soldiers and Airmen, Department of Army Civilians who are considering or preparing to depart the military and all work age family members of each of the above groups. Veterans Employment Center (VEC ) The Veterans Employment Center (VEC ) connects employers with highly skilled Transitioning Service Members, Veterans, and their family members. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Labor and Defense collaborated to design and develop the VEC to incorporate the best features of on-line employment tools. The VEC lets you: Post Jobs Search Resumes Access Recruiting Resources Launch a Public Relations Campaign to hire Veterans through the online Commitment Portal Work of Honor Work of Honor is a group of Veterans and Veteran Family Members who are passionate about shedding light on the talents Veterans offer to the civilian business community. Work of Honor provides a platform comprised of events, resources & technology to network Veterans, Veteran family members & Business Professionals. When you join Work of Honor you have access to approximately 1200 fellow Veterans working within our community and over 2000 job postings from local companies who value veteran talent Hire America s Heroes 2016 Executive Symposium

15 HOW TO EXCEL IN YOUR CAREER TRANSITION (A Step by Step Guide) 1. Set your expectations and goals early. Prepare to build a long term plan. Identify what is most important understand that you may have to compromise on one or more area. Prioritize what matters, flexibility provides more opportunity. Geographical location? Commute time? Industry? Position? Company? Salary? At the start, in 2 years, in 5 years What do you want to do? Do you plan to leverage your past experience or are you exploring a new career field? Are there education or certification gaps? Time to complete? Consider from the employer point of view, do you meet their needs? 2. Build your network! Establishing professional profiles on social media to connect and demonstrate your capabilities. Be aware of your presence, do you need to update your settings and postings? Use tools like LinkedIn to connect with others from your school, branch of service, and desired industry. *This is the statistical key step to success, nearly 80% of jobs are obtained from networking - don t skip it! LinkedIn provides an online tutorial: LinkedIn for Veterans 3. Use the network you ve built to locate a mentor. This is someone who can explain how to get into your career field, share your resume with hiring managers and explain any experience or education gaps. Service members with a corporate mentor (someone employed outside of the military) are able to obtain employment twice as fast as those without. Networking is the best way to identify a mentor that will meet your needs, try attending local events (MeetUp is a great resource). Relocating to a specific city? LinkedIn and local Soldier For Life/Marine For Life groups can assist. Formal programs exist to connect you with mentors if you are unable to locate one through your network. Boots to Shoes Foundation provides mentorship in the Puget Sound region: American Corporate Partnerships provide online mentoring for service members: Boots Ups is a new service providing mentorship in specific locations: 4. Research (research, research!). Finding a job is a full time job. Impress your recruiter and future hiring manager by taking time to review job description requirements, industry expectations, companies and salary range. These websites can get you started: Glassdoor is a crowd sourced information tool on company salaries, interview process and company culture. glassdoor.com ONET is the Occupational Information Network created by the US Department of Labor to assist veterans in the transition process. You can search jobs by MOS, skills and abilities and more. National and local salary ranges can be found along with education requirements. Search news articles on the organization/field you are interested in. Is there opportunity for growth or need for talent?; Locate the company s values and mission page to determine if this a place you want to work. Follow companies of interest on social media. 5. Brand yourself forward with a resume that highlights your accomplishments and future career path. Recruiters can assess your resume in 30 seconds or less, have quantifiable bullet points at the top! The resume is used to get you to the next stage in the interview process, if you re not getting responses ask your mentor and network to help review. Answer the unasked questions for the recruiter. Are you open to relocation? Do you meet the basic qualifications of the position? Have you recently completed an educate program that helps to overcome any gaps in experience? Avoid job description resumes - these are hard for recruiters to evaluate your performance. Do you have too many qualitative soft skills? Did you improve a process, save money, time or increase customer satisfaction? Tap into your social network to connect with groups, recruiters and hiring managers at places of interest. Share your resume and ask for help. Request informational interviews from your network to help determine if you fit the culture. 6. Practice interviewing. Connect with a peer, mentor or veteran support organization and hold a mock interview using the behavioral based STAR method (Situation, Task, Action and Result). Start with the R first! This will ensure your example has a great outcome which demonstrates how you can make an impact on the organization. Make sure your example is relevant to the values of the organization or needs of the position. Use the STAR method. Interview Stream, an online practice service provided by the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs: Never quit! Build energy around your transition by engaging with your network as much as possible. Contributed by: Dr. Lisa Parrott, EdD Lisa Parrott LinkedIn Profile

16 Special Thanks to Hire America s Heroes Members and Supporters whose financial contributions make this organization possible Jefferson Ave, Ste 214 Tacoma, WA info@hireamericasheroes.org