The job search in civilian life can be another battle for veterans

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Wiilliam Blackburn edits video at UTEP's Communication Department. (Lourdes Cueva Chacón/Borderzine.com)

Wiilliam Blackburn edits video at UTEP's Communication Department. (Lourdes Cueva Chacón/Borderzine.com)

EL PASO — I loved Army life.

I had job security, and all the benefits like medical and dental care, but when I received a medical discharge after 13 years of service my life changed in unexpected ways.

I was a sergeant, but I had to start over, looking for a new career at age 34. Like many veterans today, I know what it is to be unemployed. You may think that because you are a veteran you have an advantage – that you will get the job – but for unknown reasons in reality many veterans do not get the job they apply for.

Wiilliam Blackburn edits video at UTEP's Communication Department. (Lourdes Cueva Chacón/Borderzine.com)

Wiilliam Blackburn edits video at UTEP's Communication Department. (Lourdes Cueva Chacón/Borderzine.com)

One reason specific to El Paso is that is it is harder to get a job here if you do not speak Spanish. That is one of the challenges that confront many American veterans here on the border. It is frustrating to wait by the phone for a call saying you did or didn’t get the job or just to get an interview.

I finally got a job at William Beaumont Army Medical Center delivering food to the patients. It was a good job with security, but it was not for me. I decided to go back to college and get a degree in a field I really enjoy.

I started at El Paso Community College in January 2008 as a business major then I discovered the college’s radio and television degree program. I did not hesitate to change my degree plan, because I had been a radio broadcaster before joining up 20 years ago in North Carolina.

I received my Associate’s degree in August of 2009, but I knew I needed more education so I decided to go for a bachelor’s degree here at the University of Texas at El Paso. I chose multimedia journalism as my major, because I really enjoy the different aspects of media and how radio and television work to inform people on news, sports and weather. I realize it will be hard to find a job, but earning the bachelor’s degree will be a major accomplishment in my life.

I will graduate in May 2012. My experience in college has taught me to write a news story, interview people, make videos and take photographs. This has opened new opportunities for me, because I can work in any media outlet such as radio, television, magazines or newspapers.

Coming back to school at my age was not a difficult decision. Going back to school with people 20 years younger than me and seeing that they were not prepared to take on the challenge of college was an eye opening experience.

You do not have to be the smartest person in college, but if you have discipline and work hard you can succeed at anything you want to do. I still miss the security of the Army, but love my newfound freedom to choose.

2 thoughts on “The job search in civilian life can be another battle for veterans

  1. Thanks for sharing your story! We know there are many more veterans in similar situations, so Take the Interview has partnered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Hiring our Heroes to help veterans improve their interviewing skills in order to successfully assist their transition into the private sector.

    Learn more: http://qur.cc/s/AkLsDs

    Jessica
    Take the Interview
    @taketheview
    taketheinterview.com

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