U.S. Army veteran Patricia Jackson came to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Veterans Upward Bound VetMATCH College and Career Fair on Thursday, Aug. 9, with the hopes of finishing what she started years ago.
“I came to find out about re-enrolling at SIUE to complete my bachelor’s in psychology,” said Jackson, of East St. Louis, who served from Oct. 1978-July 1985. “I also want to find out about new avenues and opportunities available for veterans. Sometimes we may not realize what all is available to us.”
Jackson was one of many veterans who turned out for the College and Career Fair in the Multipurpose Room, Building D of the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus.
“We were excited to have been able to present career options for higher wages, college information, employers looking for workers, and other resources and services available for veterans – all at no cost,” said Johanna Wharton, director of Workforce Development and Strategic Partnerships, with the SIUE East St. Louis Center.
Robert Burkes, of Madison, who served in the U.S. Army from 1993-97, also had his sights on obtaining information as to how he could complete his SIUE degree.
“Before I entered the military, I was at SIUE in 1990 and was studying mass communication – TV and radio,” explained Burkes. “If I return to SIUE, I plan to major in something in the medical field.”
“I came to this event, because I hope to become a security officer with Allied Universal,” said Justin Childress, of Jerseyville, who served in the U.S. Navy from 2002-06. “I gained security guard experience in the military.”
Agencies and organizations at the college and career fair included:
- Allied Universal Security Services, St. Louis
- Ad Lift Truck, St. Louis
- Connections to Success, East St. Louis
- Lewis & Clark Community College Career Services-Veterans Services, Godfrey
- LUME Institute, St. Louis
- SIUE East St. Louis Center (ESLC)
- SIUE Office of Veterans Service
- SIUE Veterans Upward Bound, ESLC
- Southwestern Illinois College, Belleville
“We have a sales position open and several mechanic positions open,” said Matt Maloney, territory sales manager for Ad Lift Truck. “We’re handing out applications today, and applications are also available online at adlifttruck.com.
“Among our services, we are offering an early childhood apprenticeship program for those who want to work with children ages 0-5,” said Lindsey Forsythe, MSW, project coordinator/workforce development for LUME Institute. “Students can earn a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.”
When Jackson completes her psychology degree at SIUE, she says she wants to open a women’s support center. “We don’t have one in East St. Louis anymore,” she said. “We need a place for mothers to be able to go with their families and get help.”
For Joe Brown, staff member at Lewis & Clark’s Veterans Services, veterans are the population that he wants to assist.
“When I came to this office, I fell in love with working for veterans,” said Brown, who served in the Army from 2000-03. “These men and women have sacrificed a lot for our country, and it is a pleasure to help broaden and enhance their lives.”
Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) assists with vocational/technical and other post-secondary educational options such as:
- Inspiring veterans to seek higher education
- Preparing veterans to obtain higher education
- Assisting veterans to succeed in higher education
Veterans Upward Bound is a TRIO grant program funded by the U.S. Department of Education.
With a focus on empowering people and strengthening communities, the SIUE East St. Louis Center is dedicated to improving the lives of families and individuals - from pre-school through adult - in the Metro East. Head Start/Early Head Start and a charter high school are among the programs that offer the community renewed hope and an opportunity to reach educational, career and life goals. The Center also assigns first priority to encouraging, supporting and improving the educational success of the residents of East St. Louis and surrounding urban communities. The Center provides comprehensive programs, services and training in the areas of education, health, social services and the arts.
Photo:
Shown at SIUE East St. Louis Center’s Veteran Upward Bound (VUB) VetMATCH College and Career Fair (L-R) are VUB staff members Carlton McGee, Todd Gilyard and Johanna Wharton, with Billy Nunnery, veteran and VUB participant.