European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 19, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Sunday August 19,1990 paid advertisement Page i h a. A it. Vol. 161�? no. 74 the evening Sun Baltimore Friday August 3, 1990 25 cents state of Maryland gears up to help displaced service members by. I Atwood evening Sun staff just a few weeks ago . Army capt. Ralph o. Baird was a spokesman for the supreme Headquarters of the Allied Powers in Europe. Now civilian Baird is looking for Public relations work in Maryland. Staff sgt. Michael Riley is now in West Germany running a warehouse that contains millions of dollars Worth of High tech military equipment. But the infantryman will leave the army in november and is hoping to find work As a policeman or corrections officer in the state of Maryland. Officials with the Maryland department of employment and economic development deed believe Baird and Riley Are Only two of an expected 3,000 military men and women who will be looking for work in Maryland Over the next couple of years due to defense cutbacks. President Bush recently proposed slashing . Military forces by 25 percent in the next five years As a result of the rapidly diminishing threat from the soviet. Union. He said the cutback would leave the armed forces at their lowest level since 1950. An administration official said the civilian military workforce would be Cut by 200,000 jobs be the mid-1990s, in addition to the 500,000 person reduction in Active duty  people arc going to be coming out in droves a said Earl w. Nesbitt coordinator of veterans services for deed. The earlier we can Contact them military person net the easier it will  the state has devised a program that has two goals. One is to help find jobs for Mainland service members who will be coming Home. The other is to recruit skilled workers for Maryland. A we want to use this As an opportune to to attract highly trained people to Maryland a said Charles o. Middle Brooks assistant Secretary of deed. The Effort began last january when governor William Donald Schaefer asked his departments to find ways to respond to the thaw in the cold War and the move toward democracy in Eastern Europe Quot we knew the military would be downsizing a Middlebrooks said a we thought a what about having a Job connection Over in Europe 1 working with the University of Maryland a office in Heidelberg West Germany Maryland officials visited a Job fair there in May More than 3,000 military and department of defense employees some who drove 200 Miles were there looking for new jobs Maryland officials returned with resumes from 257 military personnel and their spouses. More than half of the service members had College degrees. A the Quality of the military service members is the highest its Ever been said Nesbitt who attended the Job fair. Each of the service members who expressed an interest in working in Maryland has been assigned to one of 58 state veterans representatives who will help them find work. A at this stage we re setting up. We re letting them know someone is Here a said Ron Hooley a veterans services supervisor with deed. Working with the University of Maryland a University College european division the state is preparing advertisement and articles for military publications. The University also will be holding seminars on writing resumes and searching for jobs. The state is especially excited about the Chance of finding workers skilled in electronics aviation and Public safety. Some had 20 or More years of service he said. Many others had been in the military for 10 years or More a the army really provided Good opportunities for leadership and training Quot said Baird who left the army several weeks ago after 12 years in the service. Baird 36, said he had planned to remain in the service for 20 years when he could retire with full benefits. But in Light of the military cutbacks he decided now was the time to go. Quot in Europe i could see things going on. 1 was aware of All the negotiations. I could Sec the things leading to the cutback a said Baird who is living temporarily with his in Laws in Northern Virginia. A a it a better to gel out now ahead of the  Baird attended the Heidelberg Job fair where he met the Maryland officials. A the Only one that had anything to offer me was Maryland Quot he said. Deed officials have written letters on his behalf trying to help him As he looks for Public relations work. They have been most responsive of anyone i be seen and the most encouraging Quot he said. Riley who also has been in the military for 11 years is hoping that deed officials can find him a Job in police or corrections Fields Dohen he gets out of the army in november. �?o1 have an actual caseworker for me that can actually look. To have an actual person looking for me makes a difference a he said. Deed is writing to local Chambers of Commerce and Large corporations telling them about the service members who will be seeking jobs. Quot we need to Market these people Quot Middlebrooks said. Meanwhile. Nesbitt said letters and phone Calls come to him each Day from service members looking Tor help finding Luik. The deed office has received about 400 resumes from soldiers. Nesbitt and Middlebrooks say they arc optimistic the state will have work for most of those who want it. A they re not coming All at once Quot Nesbitt said �?�1 done to foresee a  Middlebrooks noted with Maryland s Low unemployment rate the stale needs certain kinds of skilled workers. Quot we feel Maryland companies Are Well positioned Quot he said. Reprinted by permission of the Baltimore evening Sun. University of Maryland prepares service members for careers before leaving Europe you can prepare for your Job search by completing Maryland seminars designed to enable you to present yourself As the professional you Are. Career transitions most 198 this management studies weekend seminar offers special insights for individuals about to leave the military to pursue a civilian career. The emphasis is on being As ready As possible for this important change by developing an effective plan of action. O a resume writing ucsp190 first impressions Are the most important. Your resume is the first impression a prospective employer will have of you. This communications skills seminar focuses upon writing effective r6sums and accompanying letters. Students practice planning writing and perfecting their r6sum6s. Interviewing skills most 198 by providing intensive training in the skills which enhance communication this management studios weekend seminar will help you present your Seit most effectively once you be gotten your foot inside the door. For More information on the University of Maryland a transition assistance program please visit your local education Center advertising ring above is not endorsed by the department of defame the military department or i he stars and Stripe f