CSX Helps Veterans Succeed on Civilian Career Battlefield
Distance was no obstacle for veteran Khadijah Nazmeen while seeking the opportunity to start a new chapter in her career. The four-and-a-half-hour drive from McDonough, Georgia to Jacksonville, Florida was well worth the miles. She joined other veterans at a career development and informational hiring event with CSX®, hosted by Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP).
“The career development event was very informative on networking techniques, follow-up methods, and the latest salary negotiation approaches,” Khadijah said.
She envisions combining her master’s degrees in human resources and business administration to work in human resources management. After 13 years in the Army and Army National Guard, she used her GI Bill to help her complete grad school.
For many warriors, the path to an ideal job is challenging – especially the first time they’re looking at civilian careers. WWP helps veterans in different stages of transition with putting together a civilian resume, practicing interviewing skills, and easing into professional networking.
WWP’s career counseling program, Warriors to Work®, also brings together veterans like Khadijah, military family members, and employers to facilitate introductions to new career opportunities.
“Warriors to Work is here to take warriors by the hand and lead them through an unfamiliar process,” said Kevin Rasch, Warriors to Work regional director. “Veterans have done great things on the battlefield and through their years of service. Civilian service is a new battlefield for many of them.”
CSX is a veteran-committed national company that is deeply engaged with the veteran community.
“We want to help veterans take the next step in the job market,” said John Kitchens, Director of Corporate Citizenship at CSX. The company’s Pride in Service™ campaign aims to provide opportunities for military personnel and first responders as they transition to civilian careers.
“It’s important for veterans entering the civilian workforce to learn how to transcribe their military education and experience into corporate America,” Khadijah said. “We have so much experience and have so much to offer that often times, I think we sell ourselves short.”
“For me, knowing that an organization like Wounded Warrior Project has my back and can help me network with potential employers like CSX, means a lot,” Khadijah added.
Find out more about how WWP helps warriors start their next mission.
Contact: Jon Blauvelt – Public Relations, jblauvelt@woundedwarriorproject.org, 904.426.9756
About Wounded Warrior Project
Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers – helping them achieve their highest ambition. Learn more.