A group of service members turned out for the “Hiring Our Heroes” Corporate Fellowship Program interview day July 21 to see if they could secure their future and a position with a corporate entity.
Hosted by Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall’s Soldier For Life-Transition Assistance Program (SFL-TAP) at Fort Myer’s Community Activities Center, 25 service members participated in 94 scheduled interviews with 15 corporations in vying for a 12-week unpaid fellowship, according to Crystal Cochran, senior manager for the Corporate Fellowship Program in the National Capital Region. If selected for the fellowship, candidates will enter into a cohort that begins Aug. 23.
The Cohort Educational Model is composed of from 15 to 30 active duty service members with training and classes designed to equip fellows with tangible skills for the civilian work environment. The skills can be used not only in the civilian work environment, but can be used while still working in the military.
“There are two educational components to the program,” said Cochran. “Each Thursday, fellows attend Corporate Leadership and Development huddles with our partner companies. In addition, each of our fellows has the opportunity to take a certification track course online through our partner Simplilearn.”
Most, if not all, of the service members who attended the interview day were transitioning out of the military, have worked as leaders within the military community and had post-secondary degrees.
This “Hiring Our Heroes” interview day wasn’t open to the public. Before getting potential candidates and corporate representatives in the same room, Cochran, whose job entails matching candidates with corporate employers, said companies completed an application detailing the kind of candidate they’re interested in hiring; candidate service members filled out forms detailing the kind of positions they are interested in.
Cochran said the early application process involved selecting service members looking to stay in the National Capital Region, who are go-getters ready to work in the private sector and “really open to new experiences.
“Really, it’s a test drive on the part of the candidate and on the part of the company to determine if it’s a good fit,” said Cochran.
“And if it is, then they are usually offered a job at the end and transition nicely into the private sector.”
The fellowship is used as a vehicle to connect soon-to-be veterans to corporations. U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Dedric Foreman was one of the candidates whom Cochran recommended to be interviewed by several companies.
Foreman has served his country for 30 years and is in the process of transitioning out. His goal, he said, is to hopefully obtain a managerial position at a corporation in the National Capital Region after completing the fellowship.
Foreman said he and his wife, who works in the Washington, D.C., are looking to move into the next phase of their lives.
He said transitioning out of the military can be tough. For 30 years, Foreman has worn one uniform and during his military career, he never had to interview for a new position.
“It is challenging, an eye opener to say the least,” Foreman said. “After you have been doing something for 30 years, to transition from that into something brand new, there are going to be some things that are going to catch you by surprise.”
Entering into this process of trying to obtain a position as a fellow has already yielded some results. Foreman, who had already completed some interviews before speaking with the Pentagram, said that he’s already picked up some wonderful tips from employers how to be a better interviewee.
“I am gaining it right now,” he said. “I am getting some great feedback from employers.”
He said that he feels lucky. He said that he’s spoken with “mentors from back in the day” and “peers who have already retired” about this new opportunity and they didn’t have this kind of option.
“If there is one take away — it is to be thankful that programs like this do exist,” said Foreman.
In addition, he said he wants to use what he has learned to help those under his influence. He said that he wants to inform lower ranking service members about the fellowship program so that they can have a plan when they transition out.
Foreman said getting a job in the civilian world is a challenge, but he has welcomed the challenge.
“I love challenges,” said Foreman. “The military has given me my fair share of challenges over the years. And just to step into something brand new is a challenge, but I think that I’ve been trained and equipped. And I am ready to step into it.”
Contact Pentagram Staff Writer Delonte Harrod at dharrod@dcmilitary.com.