I'm a high school junior and my family is constantly moving due to my parent's military service. How can I find stable job placements as a military dependent when I graduate? Are there specific resources or programs I should look into?
You're in a unique situation, and indeed there are resources specially designed to assist military dependents stay stable in the job sphere. Let's explore a few of them:
1. Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP): While this might be titled "Military Spouse", it's a resource that many military dependents use, as well. MSEP is a career partnership that connects military spouses with hundreds of partner employers who have committed to recruit, hire, promote and retain military spouses in portable careers.
2. Career Opportunities for Military Dependents (COMD): This program offers placement services to active, guard, or reserve dependent children. They help high school graduate dependents by providing assistance, counseling, and guidance when you are looking for a job.
3. Army Community Services (ACS) and similar services in other branches: ACS specifically has a program called Employment Readiness that provides resources and counseling to help you prepare for the professional world. They offer help with job applications, interview skills, and job search strategies. Other branches of the military have similar service departments.
4. Local Active Duty Installation Support Partnerships: Many bases have employment support services, some of which even host job fairs. These often feature plenty of opportunities for military dependents to find employment.
5. USAjobs.gov: This federal government job board gives preference to military dependents for certain job positions.
Remember that networking also plays a vital role in finding good job placements. Engage with the community around you, teachers, administrators, and even your parents' colleagues. They can provide support, tips, and sometimes, job leads. Lastly, don't discount the power of online job boards like LinkedIn and Indeed, as they often have filters and search parameters that can help you find jobs appropriate for your situation. Good luck as you navigate this process!
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