Do you qualify? AFRC hosts Employment and Volunteer Fair

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nigel Sandridge
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  

More than 500 people attended the Employment and Volunteer Fair at Eagle's Landing on Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, March 19, 2014.

The fair, set up by the Airman and Family Readiness Center, offered over 47 vendors which provided civilian and military personnel with insight on 375 potential job and volunteer opportunities on base and in the local area.

"It gives me an idea of what's out there for me, and now I have options," said Regina Tyre, wife of Tech. Sgt. Dejuan Tyre, 100th Civil Engineer Squadron NCO in charge of heating, ventilation and air conditioning. "I love that there are local establishments as well on the three bases."

Booths catered to a wide array of people; from volunteer jobs with the Red Cross, acting programs at local base schools and even listing positions available with the Secret Service.

"We foster career and job opportunities because the two are very connected," Georgia Thompson, AFRC employment program manager, explained. "Volunteering can help close the gaps in résumés, especially for spouses who find it harder to find jobs."

The AFRC also provided three workshops on subjects such as personal branding, a how-to workshop about linkedin.com, and even an Air Force recruiting shop during the event. Free headshots were also available for participants wanting to add a more professional effect to their portfolios.

The tri-base effort helps provide military family members, individuals who may be facing force shaping, active duty personnel and retirees alike with employment and volunteer opportunities that can be accessed overseas while still being available even once a person changes bases via a continuity referral card.

"We want the next one in September to be bigger than ever," Thompson said. "We should have more jobs available including Amazon US/UK and possibly Microsoft Cambridge."

Thompson also added that she would like to invite all local jobseekers and employers to join the RAF Lakenheath Career Network group on LinkedIn.

For more information on how to sign up to receive job announcements and employment tips via email contact Georgia Thompson, employment program manager at 01638 52 2922 or georgia.thompson@us.af.mil.