Area Business People to Guide Separating Military Members
SEATTLE – What can combat-trained troops learn from a software engineer? Plenty when it comes to that first civilian job after military serves ends. Over 45 business people from all walks of life joined a workshop today to learn how they can mentor a member of our armed forces nearing the end of their service commitment.
“This is a difficult time for any job seeker, but even more so for those leaving the military after serving our nation,” said Sean Kelley, Vice President of Hire America’s Heroes and a Staffing Director at Microsoft Corporation. “That’s why we wanted to provide training to a group of community members who could share their workplace experiences with some of our returning troops.”
Held at SeaTac and presented as a partnership between Hire America's Heroes and the Port of Seattle's Office of Social Responsibility, the workshop was designed to enhance and increase the mentoring capability in the Puget Sound Area supporting transitioned and transitioning service members.
Eddie Pate, who led the call to action event said, “This was a chance to find out how you can give back to your community and make a real difference as a mentor. I can think of no more deserving group to help out than those risking their lives to keep our country safe. We covered what it takes to be a great mentor, what programs exist to help separating military, some best corporate practices and how to connect mentors with mentees. We also talked about harnessing the power of social media to create a network to help get that civilian job.”
The Port of Seattle, host for today’s event, is one of a growing number of corporations, including Microsoft and Volt, that support Hire America’s Heroes. Formed in 2006, Hire America’s Heroes conducts quarterly events to share best military hiring practices among corporations. They have also formed close relationships within the regional military community.
The next event sponsored by Hire America’s Heroes is a Military Spouse Career Fair to be held on May 20, 2009 at the American Lake Club in North Ft. Lewis. The Career Fair will feature information on “portable” occupations identified for future growth.
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About Pate Consulting & AssociatesEddie Pate has spent eight years driving corporate diversity strategies in the technology and retail industries. His experience has enabled him to build expertise in creating strategies specific to field organizations, headquarter groups, and international subsidiaries. His diversity and inclusion corporate experience has been molded by reporting directly to a senior VP of a line-business group outside of HR and by being a senior leader within HR organizations. See www.eddiepate.com
