As part of ongoing work to provide the best tools and resources for servicemembers, veterans, and their spouses who are transitioning to a new career, MOAA was a featured partner at an Amazon networking event hosted at the National Military Women’s Memorial in Arlington, Va., on March 21.
Cmdr. Erin Cardinal, USN (Ret), MOAA’s program director for Transition Services and Family Programs, and Capt. Pat Williams, USN (Ret), MOAA’s program director for Engagement and Transition Services, engaged with servicemembers and their spouses at the event, offering attendees the chance to learn more about MOAA’s transition resources and how the association supports those in the uniformed services community.
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"This was a great opportunity not just to introduce MOAA to a new audience, but to make a real difference in helping people navigate what can be a new and confusing process," Cardinal said. "Our tools can benefit transitioning servicemembers at all stages of their career path -- even just a few minutes at a networking event can inspire confidence, make someone consider new approaches and priorities, and begin unlocking their own path to success."
The event was kicked off by keynote speaker Col. Beau Higgins, USMC (Ret), Amazon’s senior manager of military talent acquisition, who shared details on the company’s military hiring initiative. Like MOAA, Amazon has proven to be a valuable resource for the veteran community in providing support during the transition to the private sector; learn more about the program at this link.
Cmdr. Erin Cardinal, USN (Ret), left, MOAA’s program director for Transition Services and Family Programs, and Capt. Pat Williams, USN (Ret), center, MOAA’s program director for Engagement and Transition Services, speak with attendees during the March 21 event.
It was clear that there is a demand for transition services in the military community, as many veterans expressed that they did not know where to start the job-hunting process or how to articulate their value and skill set for a civilian career. This is where MOAA's transition services play a key role; while most people may associate MOAA with its advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill, the event highlighted the diverse range of services and tools MOAA offers.
Some attendees also expressed interest in the MOAA Scholarship Fund, Cardinal said, which could provide additional support for families budgeting college costs around the time of a servicemembers’ transition to the private sector.
MOAA Premium or Life members, and their spouses, have access to exclusive resources such as one-on-one coaching, résumé reviews, valuable career advice, and educational webinars. More information is available at this link; Life members are also eligible for a personalized federal résumé review.
Equipping veterans and military spouses with the necessary tools and resources to succeed in the civilian world remains a key goal for MOAA. Visit MOAA’s Transition and Career Center for more resources.
MOAA Career Transition subject-matter experts are able to attend events like this – those that are free and open to everyone in the military, veteran, and military spouse community – thanks to The MOAA Foundation. To find out more and to register for events, visit charities.moaa.org/careertransition.
