Wounded Warrior Project Helps Veterans Find Careers

CLEVELAND, Dec. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) recently teamed up with OhioMeansVeteranJobs.com and the Cuyahoga Veterans Service Commission to provide career opportunities for hundreds of Ohio warriors.

Dozens of companies gathered at Quicken Loans^® Arena for the Veterans Career Expo. They talked with warriors interested in careers in finance, healthcare, staffing, and many other industries.

"The prospective employers were very personable, and the veterans service organizations were really helpful," said Army veteran Dylan Smith. "The Department of Veterans Affairs even had a table to sign up veterans for health care on the spot."

The career expo is a step toward helping lower the unemployment rate for injured warriors. A new survey of America's wounded veterans shows the need for help in this area. The 2016 WWP Annual Warrior Survey shows the unemployment rate for wounded veterans is 15.6 percent. That is three times higher than the national unemployment rate.

Dylan came to the expo seeking opportunities in internet technology.

"I am looking for work in the IT field, but I am open to any opportunities that arise," Dylan said. "This expo gave me the options I wanted and needed."

Since the expo, Dylan has talked with a couple of potential employers and may have opportunities once he finishes his degree.

WWP's career counseling provides networking opportunities for wounded veterans looking to find a civilian career as well as those who have a job but are looking for new options. WWP also helps veterans update their resumes, find the right fit with companies, and prepare for interviews with coaching.

WWP also works with employers to show the value of hiring veterans. These men and women are highly coachable team players with specialized skill sets. All Warriors to Work^® services are free to wounded veterans and employers.

Veterans are given priority at OhioMeansVeteranJobs.com and the state's many OhioMeansJobs centers. At OhioMeansVeteranJobs.com, veterans can use a "military skills translator" to tailor their military skills for a civilian resume, post their resumes, find employers committed to hiring veterans, and apply for jobs. The same services are available at the state's OhioMeansJobs centers, in addition to one-on-one assistance and in-person workshops and training programs.

Dylan offered high praise for the event.

"It was the best job fair I've been to, and I'm very happy Wounded Warrior Project and its partners make these opportunities for our veterans."

About Wounded Warrior Project
The mission of Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors. WWP connects wounded warriors and their families to valuable resources and one another, serves them through a variety of free programs and services, and empowers them to live life on their own terms. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. To get involved and learn more, visit woundedwarriorproject.org.

SOURCE Wounded Warrior Project