DETROIT ARSENAL, Mich. – More than 200 people networked, learned about the federal hiring process and explored career fields during the two-day Career Enhancement and Hiring Event at the Detroit Arsenal.
The event was part of an effort by the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) to seek and retain top talent.
“It’s important to invest in ourselves, and our employees,” said Col. Lisa Rennard, TACOM chief of staff.
Held Nov. 19 and 20, the career fair featured several professional development sessions and the chance to connect with leaders from across the arsenal. TACOM "Day in the Life" presentations provided an up-close look at what it’s like to work in logistics management, records management, data science, technical writing and other areas.
During her welcome remarks, Rennard said workforce development is a top priority for Maj. Gen. Michael Lalor, TACOM commanding general. She encouraged attendees to be “selfish” and take advantage of as many activities as possible.
“I want you to focus on you for the next two days,” she said.
Rennard also spoke about the importance of TACOM building its employee bench to offset retirements as it continues to push forward in innovation and modernization.
Occupational Health clinic employees Deborah McCatty, a health systems specialist, and Mary Mell, a licensed practical nurse, attended with the hope of gaining a better understanding of the various jobs and organizations at the arsenal.
“We were really excited about this and the chance to learn about the different opportunities, agencies and departments,” Mell said.
Workshops on resume writing, navigating USA Jobs and best practices for panel interviews were among the most popular activities, drawing several dozen people to the auditorium in Building 200. Across the arsenal, the lobby of Building 270 bustled with attendees perusing informational tables as lines formed at food trucks outside.
Eighty interviews for 33 positions were conducted on-site over the event’s two days.
At one session, Anthony Kowalski, a materiel maintenance deputy career field representative, offered insights on pursuing positions in technical writing.
“There is no defined roadmap. … What you want is depth and breadth of experience, and that can look a lot of different ways,” he said.
Jose Mabesa, associate director of force projection technology for the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC), was one of the organization representatives who helped make the event a success.
“An event like this is a great opportunity to learn about the multiple organizations here at the arsenal,” he said. “The breadth of the impact the Detroit Arsenal has is well beyond the fence line of the arsenal itself.”
Participating groups included TACOM, the U.S. Army Garrison-Detroit Arsenal, Civilian Human Resources Agency, TACOM’s Integrated Logistics Support Center, the Program Executive Office for Ground Combat Systems, the Program Executive Office for Combat Support and Combat Service Support, Army Contracting Command-Detroit Arsenal and DEVCOM GVSC.
The Career Enhancement and Hiring Event was organized by TACOM’s G1 team. It was part of a series of planned career development and hiring activities that will extend into the new year.
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