Photo By Staff Sgt. Marnie Jacobowitz | Spc. Felicia Neeley finds a new job as a property administrator with Equity...... read more read more
PINELLAS PARK, Fla. - How is it that an educated soldier with quality skill sets, work experience and strong work ethics struggles to get a job? For that matter, how does anyone who has prepared themselves for employment have a difficult time landing a job?
This is a compelling story of how an employer’s partnership with the Army Reserve has made a significant impact on a soldier.
Army Reserve Spc. Felicia Neeley, 31, graduated from Army Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training earning her military occupational specialty as a veterinary food inspector for the 4220th United States Army Hospital, Fort Hamilton, N.Y.
Though equipped with all the education needed to succeed in the civilian job market, she struggled to find a secure and quality job. In her job search, Neeley could not see “the light at the end of the tunnel” and wondered how she would pay her rent, and provide for her 14-year-old son.
Neeley stated that after submitting many resumes and applications, with no responses, she became disheartened, and savings from training were dwindling fast.
Fortuitously, during the 4220th USAH battle training assemblies, she was told about a program that helps soldiers leverage their military training and experience for career opportunities in today’s job market called the Employer Partnership of the Armed Forces Program.
After learning about the program, she decided to register on the EP website.
“My hope was restored after my unit directed me to the Employer Partnership of the Armed Forces Program,” said Neeley, a Jamaican native. “Through the website I was given a career counselor, Esther Brown, who helped me find a job with Equity Residential within one month.”
Neeley began to see a glimpse of a light at the end of the tunnel, and that shimmering light was Esther Brown and the EP program.
Brown, a program support manager at the Employer Partnership Office, one of many under the EP program, assisted Neeley by improving and strengthening her resumé for employment.
After five months of interviews, and no call backs, she found herself disappointed and frustrated with the civilian job market and the entire process. She knew that she needed to broaden her resume and highlight her strengths but was unsure how to do it.
Brown assisted Neeley with job coaching, resumé enhancement and development, and mock interviews to ensure that she was adequately prepared for each job interview she pursued.
Brown recommended several companies for her to inquire with, and this is when the light became very bright for Neeley as she made it to the end of the tunnel when she was offered a job in New Jersey.
Neeley is now employed as an assistant property manager with Equity Residential and she is thankful for the assistance of the EP program.
“I was also impressed with the support given by this program even after I started my job and cannot express how grateful I am for the job opportunity that the Employer Partnership of the Armed Forces program has given me,” expressed Neeley. “And Esther followed up with me and Equity Residential to ensure that everyone was happy.”
Equity Residential immediately started Neeley in their Property Management, Military Trainee Program, and after one month of working she is pleased.
“I was happy I took this opportunity and remained positive (during the process),” said Neely. “The benefits that I am currently getting are great and the pay is very good.”
After completing the property management training, she was promoted from trainee to property administrator.
“One thing my general manager has reiterated over and over about military recruits is that we are very committed and possesses strong leadership skills … which make us a cut above the rest,” stressed Neeley.
Previous to Neeley’s newfound employment she had her fair share of trials and tribulations:
“I had savings that I knew would go quickly in such an expensive state as New York. The bills were piling up but I quickly learned to prioritize,” said Neeley, a single mother. “Putting food on the table and the health of my son, Kimani, came first.”
“It came to a point where I started borrowing money from friends and relatives, with the hope to pay them back once I landed a job,” said Neeley reminiscing over her past experiences.
After completing military training, Neeley returned to New York, terrified with the possibility of not finding a job in time to take care of her living expenses. She was diligent in submitting for jobs for all types of positions in the area of administration and customer service.
As a mother of a demanding teenage boy, that anxiety increased after having submitted numerous applications on a daily basis for five straight months, without any response, said Neeley.
In 2011, Neeley made the decision to join the military.
"I joined the military because I wanted to be a part of something larger than life," said Neeley. "America is seen as a beacon of hope and freedom. Strong military backbone makes this freedom possible for its citizens and to be a part of that possibility is truly an honor."
She added, "I think it is fair to say that those who come to this country (to live) and gets the opportunity to do so aspires to become a citizen of this great country, this is part of living the American dream."
Though Neeley had the qualifications to become an officer, she explains, because she was not a U.S. citizen at the time of her enlistment that option was not a possibility.
Neeley applied for citizenship during her BCT and plans to become an officer in the near future.
Neeley left Jamaica for a better life for herself and her son Kimani. She had her first opportunity to come to the United States as a Student Exchange Program through the American Youth Work Center.
"I quickly took advantage of this program and I have had no regrets. It was an experience I'll never forget," said Neeley.
Nelly received her associate's degree in both languages, French and Spanish, from the Shortwood Teachers' College, Kingston, Jamaica in 2002. Later, she graduated from the University College of the Caribbean, Kingston, Jamaica, with a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management.
"The military benefits help me with tuition reimbursement aid along with the Montgomery G.I. Bill," said Neeley. "This goes a long way with such a high tuition cost because NYU is a private university."
While in BCT she was awarded "Soldier of the Month" and thanks the Army for making it possible to attend New York University, Manhattan, where she is a current graduate student earning her Master of Science in Global Affairs.
"I would like to become a public affairs or a civil affairs officer since I'm majoring in global affairs at NYU," expressed Neeley.
"I don't know where I would be if it wasn't for family, friends, the Army and the Employer Partnership of the Armed Forces Program," said Neeley.
The Employer Partnership's vision was to create and offer America's employers with a direct link to some of America's finest employees in the armed forces. This includes the active duty getting ready to face the civilian world, Reserve who are the citizen-warriors, but still have their duty to their country, retirees who still need a job to make ends meet, and their families who also need jobs to balance the entire family together and meet their financial goals.
With this partnership, servicemembers can pull their training and experience for career opportunities in today's civilian job market with national, regional and local employer partners. This program partners with more than 3,000+ employers that are hiring. More than 50,000+ soldiers, their families and veterans participate in the program with 25 local Program Support Managers to help you find a job.
The program has developed PSMs who serve like recruiters to support and focus on the individual needs of the service members and their families in finding the best job in their area of expertise.
The PSMs work as links between the human resources departments at employer partners and numerous other employers and agencies across the country. In addition, they post information about job fairs and events and work with service members to refine their applications for employment, resumé writing and interviewing skills.
This partnership facilitates the transition that comes with a leave of absence from the civilian workplace to serve the nation. With military training and deployment schedules, service members and their families can better prepare for a leave of absence and employers are afforded a more predictable picture of their future staffing needs. Employers may also see potential cost savings in recruiting and training. This partnership is a win-win situation for service members, employers and the nation as a whole.
To learn more about the Employer Partnership of the Armed Forces visit their website at www.employerpartnership.org/.
| Date Taken: | 01.17.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 01.17.2013 18:50 |
| Story ID: | 100682 |
| Location: | NEW YORK, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 292 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Soldier sees the light by way of Employer Partnership, by MSG Enid Ramos-Mandell, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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