On Tuesday, October 8th, the Washington Redskins partnered with FedEx and USO Pathfinders to host thirty transitioning service members from the National Capital Region for a six-hour Employee Readiness Workshop. The day consisted of resume review, interview preparation, hiring and corporate culture insights, networking tips, social media guidelines, and much more from FedEx executives and USO Pathfinder representatives. Additionally, the day featured tours of FedExField, an inside look of the Washington Redskins facilities, and a surprise visit from one star Defensive Tackle!
USO Pathfinder Employment Readiness Workshop presented by FedEx
At 9:00 am, participants were escorted to their highly anticipated Employee Readiness Workshop. The day would begin with a introductory panel discussion introducing a group of four FedEx Executives with military backgrounds. The four FedEx representatives ( FedEx Talent Acquisition & Strategic Planning Executive George Cornell, FedEx Military Affairs Advisor Brock Carlson, FedEx Advisor & Project Manager Marvin Hill, , and FedEx Football Fellow Charnecia McGee) opened dialogue about notable challenges they'd experienced in their transition and methods to overcoming obstacles all former military experience on a basis. The dialogue drew a bridge from each participant to another as all thirty service members shared their own very similar experiences in adapting to civilian work environments.
In a recent study conducted by VetAdvisor at Syracuse University, military lifestyle anthropologists found that 43% of service members leave their first civilian position within the first 12 months of being hired and 80% of service members leave within the first 24 months. In the same survey, they found 27% of the respondents had been unemployed with 46% searching for work for 26 weeks or more. USO Pathfinder Workshops inherently provide companies a platform to provide feedback and advice that allow veterans to translate the skills they'd learned in their service to civilian positions.
The workshop also featured lectures from the Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist Kendall Gillmore on Resume & Interview tips, FedEx Military Affairs Advisor Brock Carlson opening dialogue on how to effectively be a mentee, FedEx Talent Acquisition & Strategic Planning Executive George Cornell providing insight on how to shape your personal brand post transition, and inside tips regarding FedEx Company Culture from Diversity & Inclusion Manager Randy Irving.
A wonderful day full of insight and training from FedEx's very best. Thirty transitioning service members spent their day rounding out their skillsets and bonding with fellow military men/women in similar situations. A highlight of the day was each and every time a service member stepped in and provided insight from their own experiences.
Jonathon Allen Surprises Workshop & Presents FedEx Football Fellows with Autographed Jerseys
Washington Redskins star Defensive Tackle, Jonathon Allen, has a notable military background. Having a father, Richard II, who served 21 years in the United States Army, and his older brother Richard III currently serving in the United States Army provides a pretty hefty military background and an inevitable understanding of the struggles every military family and transitioning service member may experience. A standout player and role model among his community, Jon is always first to appear at military events and speak on behalf of his experience in a military household, and this workshop was no different.
Jon surprised the workshop participants as they were prepared to leave for their FedExField tour scheduled at noon. He talked about his family and how his military household shaped him into the standout player he is. Focusing on commitment and excellence in all faucets of life, Jon further pushed the point to keep the skill set each service member had learned in their time serving close, but to remain adaptable and never stop working on their ability to pivot those skills in any (and every) civilian work environment they work in.
He concluded expressing his gratitude to the group for their sacrifice and service to our country. Additionally, he highlighted two of the Redskins very own, Emily Arnsberg and Charnecia McGee, who both recently transitioned out of the military after a combined 15 years of service and hold titles as FedEx Football Fellows with the organization. While presenting the two with autographed jerseys, Allen expressed, "It's important to highlight the two of you not only for your service to our country, not only for what you do for our organization, but what you experience as transitioning service members in these new roles. We appreciate everything you do."
