SEEKING NEW CAREERS
Job fair brings military veterans to Heinz Field
More than 100 veterans and dozens of employment recruiters were at Heinz Field on Thursday to attend a job fair for former and active- duty military.
Organized by RecruitMilitary, a national military- recruiting company, and Disabled American Veterans, the Pittsburgh Veterans Job Fair linked veterans with potential employment, higher education opportunities and more experience in the armed forces.
“It’s kind of like match. com, but instead of significant others, it’s people looking for a job,” Allen Von Plinsky, RecruitMilitary’s event director, said. It can be difficult for veterans, Mr. Von Plinsky continued, to explain how their military experience is relevant to a job outside of the armed forces.
Merwin McIntyre, 38, of Aliquippa, is an aviation operations specialist in the Marines. He’s preparing to transition into a new career as he nears military retirement, and he’s hoping his skills will translate into a career as an operations manager.
“I believe that working with the Marine Corps aviation, you can work anywhere,” Mr. McIntyre said.
Ages of the attendees varied. Some, like Mr. McIntyre, were looking for a new career after decades in the military. Others had been in civilian life for some time and were hoping to change careers.
Brennan Lucas and Chris Bushaw seek new careers that could provide them benefits: health care and a retirement plan.
“It’s expensive if you have to pay for your own health care,” said Mr. Bushaw, 43, of Wexford. “I just got my teeth cleaned the other day, and it cost me $ 200.”
Mr. Lucas, 45, of Etna, was seeking a job outside of the restaurant industry, which he has worked in for years. He wasn’t looking for anything specific, but he enjoys working with people and wanted to do something he was passionate about.
Not everyone was looking for such change, however. Kevin Demus, 24, of Garfield, received a general discharge from the Army National Guard three months ago. He set his mind on joining the military when he was 13 and still yearns to go back.
“I cried when I had to leave,” Mr. Demus said. He’s hoping to get a parttime job before he tries to join the Air Force.
Veteran- focused company outreach was a good sight for Rick Rice, but he doubted that companies would give former service members a fair chance.
“I’m almost retired, so it really doesn’t matter to me,” said Mr. Rice, 61, of Finleyville. He wondered if companies were giving veterans jobs that matched their skill levels.
“[ Veterans] have demonstrated — over a course of years — that they can get the job done,” Mr. Rice said, adding they’re more disciplined, accountable and mission- oriented.
Mr. Demus, with a bag full of pins, pens and pamphlets from all of the companies he spoke to, said the event helped him to learn about new opportunities and he hopes to hear back from potential employers soon.
“I’m leaving here with a lot of good information,” he said. “I’m leaving here with my name out there.”