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STEM Onsite Career Day focuses on internships, opportunities

  • Published
  • By Kimberly Gaither
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Making informative, stimulating and lasting impressions on local college students who are considering internship and employment opportunities was the motivation behind the Affirmative Employment Programs’ STEM Onsite Career Day on April 18. 

The STEM Onsite Career Day, was designed to function as another form of outreach and recruiting activity. This event also fulfills the responsibility of marketing career employment opportunities in the community to the extent possible, as stated in Air Force Instruction 36-205 3.14.5.

Participating schools included University of Dayton and Wright State University. 

“This is the third year the STEM Onsite Career Day has been in existence,” said Kevin Simmons, Affirmative Employment Program manager. “In my previous role as a Special Emphasis Program manager, I created this career day program and held the first one in November 2016.”

In addition, the Onsite Career Day works with local colleges and universities that have a diverse enrollment, including students with disabilities.

“Our goal is to motivate qualified candidates to consider a career at Wright-Patterson in the fields of STEM financial management, program management, marketing and public relations and to assist in filling critical skill, in-demand and hard to fill occupations in the Air Force,” said Simmons.

To highlight various organizations, research, development and other opportunities, the Onsite Career Day affords college students the opportunity to meet base leadership and professionals in their respective degreed programs, hear testimonies from recent hires, and tour facilities. 

Janet Wirth, 88th Air Base Wing vice director, welcomed and spoke with students about the many opportunities available at Wright-Patterson.

“Opportunities here are just amazing,” said Wirth. “Depending on what kind of degree you have, you can do almost anything.”

Miguel Maldonado, Air Force Research Laboratory branch chief, also addressed the group speaking about his background, job and the opportunities in AFRL.

“There’s quite a bit that’s being done here on the base and we’re just one part of it, which is developing technology,” said Maldonado.

Participants asked questions about internships, benefits, travel, pay, and other opportunities available as a base employee, while some were not completely aware of a civilian job presence.

“Students were excited and grateful for the opportunity, and they felt more confident as they learned things they did not know about the base,” said Simmons.

According to Simmons, other program managers have seen a hiring increase as a result of the Onsite Career Day program.

“My job is to go after those hidden gems, show their talent to leadership, and work toward a win/win for all parties involved,” said Simmons.

For more information on the Onsite Career Day Program, contact Kevin Simmons at kevin.simmons.1@us.af.mil