NATICK, Mass. (Oct. 13, 2015) -- More than 120 job seekers and 50 employers were in attendance at the 2015 Hanscom Air Force Base career fair, Oct. 7. The Hanscom Airman and Family Readiness Center partnered with the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center and the Boston Celtics to host the event.
Prior to the career fair, Dan Mazzuca, the Transition Assistance Program manager, spoke about the advantages of having a career fair for troops and their families getting ready to leave the service.
"The benefits of a career fair are easier access to employment and networking opportunities for people transitioning from the military, as well as providing opportunities for family members seeking employment," said Mazzuca. "With low veteran unemployment rates and an increase in employment opportunities, this is a particularly ideal time for transitioning service members and their family members to seek employment."
Mazzuca added that employers look to military applicants for specific qualifications and knowledge.
"Employers repeatedly tell me that they seek veterans due to their skills in leadership, teamwork, and ability to perform under pressure," Mazzuca said.
One vendor, Greg Rosa, director of business development for Aquila Technology, said he was satisfied with the high-quality potential employees he had a chance to speak with.
"We at Aquila were very pleased with the professionalism of all job seekers that we were fortunate to meet," said Rosa. "We look forward to a continued dialogue with the prospective talent and are eager to help them identify new opportunities."
Sam Taub of the Celtics' community relations department said the feedback he received from job seekers, employers and Celtics VIPs who attended the event was overwhelmingly positive.
"The Celtics have a long history of working with local military branches," said Taub. "Our involvement at the Hanscom Career Fair was just the next step in continuing to build upon our current partnership with the (Department of Defense)."
The Celtics' involvement in the career fair was part of the DOD/National Basketball Association initiative, "Commitment to Service," a collaboration in which service members and athletes voluntarily work side-by-side to serve and improve communities throughout the United States.
The career fair focused on one of the program's "pillars," transition.
Through the other pillars of the program -- community, health, and leadership -- the Celtics have partnered with local Sailors, Coast Guardsmen and Soldiers on a number of events, such as lending a helping hand at the New England Center for Homeless Veterans, working with youth during basketball camps, and stressing the importance of what it means to be a leader to young children.
In the first year since its inception, Commitment to Service is proving to be beneficial not only to the community, but to the professional athletes and service members who have volunteered their time to give back to the community.
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