The annual veteran jobless rate fell steadily from 8.7% in 2010 to 3.1% in 2019, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Hair landed her job at a time when veteran unemployment has been mostly dropping. “If it wasn’t for me having these temporary jobs to build my civilian resume, I don’t know where I’d be right now.” “Just having my military experience was not enough,” said Hair, who plans to pursue a law degree in the future. Hair took temporary jobs in the legal field and recently landed a full-time position as a paralegal for a Fortune 500 company in the Chicago area. But potential employers cited her lack of experience with state laws and civilian courts. After seeking help from a Navy program and friends, Hair overhauled her resume and job interviews eventually came her way. Hair, 30, said she applied to about 300 jobs over eight months. Jayla Hair’s transition from Navy to civilian paralegal wasn't easy, despite a bachelor's degree in the field and skills that would seem transferable. “And then all I get is: ‘Well, thanks for your service.’” “I’ve applied for many jobs - county jobs, state jobs, all sorts of things,” said Holmes, who lives outside Tampa. He found part-time work in the industry, but rising gas prices and the lure of more consistent hours prompted him to work at a nearby UPS store. Holmes used the GI Bill to earn three degrees, including a master's in sports management. He said the one full-time job he’s worked, in the billing and claims department of a warehouse office, was toxic. Holmes, 46, left the Air Force in 2012 after 17 years, during which he maintained parachute systems for various types of aircraft, from F-15 fighter jets to U-2 spy planes. “And I definitely used and leveraged my experience in the Army to negotiate that wage on top of my college degree.”Īcross the country in Florida, Thomas Holmes is still searching for his ideal job. “I was lucky enough to negotiate a six-figure salary,” said Gest, 37, who lives outside San Francisco. But he got the hang of it, earning his engineering degree in June. Starting college in 2017 was tough at first as he developed study habits. Gest joined up during the Great Recession, knowing he’d eventually go to school on the GI Bill. Pierson Gest, a former Army infantryman, landed his first post-military job in August as a hydropower system designer in California. For some, it was easy - but others have struggled. High veteran unemployment is not good for recruiting.įor this Veterans Day, a handful of former service members talked about their experiences looking for work at a time when the veteran jobless rate is so low. It can also reflect on the military and how it prepares departing personnel. Their jobless rate can help gauge the nation's efforts to assist former service members, experts say. Veterans account for about 7% of the civilian population, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
0 kommentar(er)
