Okinawa Career Fair Bigger and Better Than Ever

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JAPAN

Story by Lance Cpl. Karis Mattingly

Marine Corps Installations Pacific

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan – Members of the U.S. military community interact with over 30 different employers during the annual Okinawa Career Fair on Oct. 4, 2019, Camp Foster.

This event is the largest community job fair on island. It provides an opportunity for military personnel to receive guidance for professional development, finding connections with different companies and becoming a staff member or volunteer.

According to Spencer Nickless, talent acquisition specialist, with Marine Corps Community Services, the fair’s goal was to meet a variety of needs to include updating resumes, provide an opportunity to experience what a career fair is, to network with a multiple different professional organizations, or possibly secure a job.

“This is a program that MCCS wants to provide because we are about serving the community,” said Nickless.“We wanted to make this career fair bigger and better than our past ones in terms of getting more of a variety of different vendors. We want to provide that networking connection to the community.”

The career fair featured over 30 different employers like Amazon Web services, Amazon Japan, Booz Allen Hamilton, University of Maryland College, U.S. Naval Hospital, Department of Defense Education Activity and many other part-time, full-time, flex, remote, stateside and local opportunities.

“One of our principles is hiring and developing the best, and today that’s our goal,” said Noah Stark, data center team recruiter with Amazon Web Services, Japan Osaka Branch. “Everyone has been extremely welcoming so far, and the hospitality is overwhelming. I’ve been to a lot of job fairs, and I’ve never felt so welcomed. It’s been a great experience with MCCS.”

“It’s really pressed upon me, how hard people are working to ensure job opportunities for active service members, retired military and families,” said Stark. “MCCS has been really sincere and dedicated to us, and everyone coming to the fair; it’s very impactful.”

MCCS’ mission is to make Okinawa feel like home by providing a premium, yet cost-effective menu of Quality of Life programs and services designed to meet the needs of Marines and their families. Their vision is to be the standard for MCCS worldwide in every program activity and customer service interaction delivered to Marines and their families.

For more information about the career fair, call 098-970-3052 or visit mccsokinawa.com/jobs.