Fair opens door to jobs, education

Tuesday's college and career fair at the Solomon Center was "absolutely a big deal," according to Fort Jackson's commander.

"This fair is mutually supporting," said Maj. Gen. John "Pete" Johnson during the beginning of the event. "It will help our Soldiers and that makes our Army better because we have more educated Soldiers. Also, whether (Soldiers) get out today or 20 years from now, (their education is) an

investment back into the American people and to this great country."

More than 80 employers and schools piled into Fort Jackson's Solomon Center to show what they had to offer to the Fort Jackson community. This is the first time the post has combined both a job and education fair together.

The event was thrown by the Army Continuing Education System.

"We usually have them separate, but wanted to have everything in one place," said Carolyn Andrews, transition services manager for Fort Jackson.

The idea to combine the fair was Command Sgt. Maj. Lamont Christian's.

"I think that education is currency. Not just for Soldiers, Family members and Department of Defense employees, but for everybody," said Christian. " I wanted there to be one location where people could navigate through the education process as well as learn about the jobs out there."

Col. David Mendoza, who was interested in finding out what type of jobs were available once he retired, was impressed with the combined fair.

"As Soldiers we need to have always have a plan," said Mendoza. "I like the fact that the fair had a balance and a variety of employers and schools, so that we can not only plan for our education, but also see what's available afterwards."

The fair was open to all of the Fort Jackson community which included federal employees. Retired Sgt. 1st Class.

Ricky Lloyd heard about the fair through a veterans support system. He recently moved to Columbia three months ago and has been looking for a job since.

"I just finished my bachelors and hoping to give my resume to a few companies and see what they have to offer," he said.

Johnson said the education is a fundamental part of the Army "(The Army) believes in a life long philosophy of education and training and making ourselves better each in everyday so education is fundamental to our Army," he said.

"We take developing our Soldiers and leaders to a high level, we think that it is vital to the readiness of our Army."