The N.J. Chamber of Commerce supported the “Transition Summit” June 8 at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, a job fair for military members on the verge of entering the workforce.
The two-day Summit gives members of the Armed Forces, facing the transition to civilian life, a chance to talk to employers about job opportunities.
More than 200 companies participated, including a significant number of N.J. Chamber members.
N.J. Chamber President and CEO Thomas Bracken provided one of the two keynote addresses at the Summit. He presented job-seeking strategies, and urged attendees to stay in New Jersey to live and work.
“Both the military and the business community put a very high premium on certain traits, like leadership, accountability, reliability and good judgment,” Bracken said. “The more you can frame the discussions of your military experience to include these traits, the more attractive you will be to employers.”
The other keynote address was provided by Rick Hoefling, vice president, Newark Hub at United Airlines, who discussed opportunities in the airline industry.
In the private sector, companies “have to be more agile, more innovative and more sophisticated,” said Hoefling, who stressed that his company was there to hire. “Those qualities are on display in the military every day. You help make our country great. We want you to help make our company great.”
For photos from the event, click on an image below:
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