Oakton hosts local partners and veterans at Veterans Day Commemoration
Oakton hosts local partners and veterans at Veterans Day Commemoration
Local community organizations gathered at Oakton College’s Des Plaines campus Thursday, Nov. 10 for the Veterans Day Commemoration event.
Oakton College hosted local community partners and veterans for a Veterans Day Commemoration event and resource fair on Thursday, Nov. 10. The event was open to the public, and attendees learned about the benefits and services available to veterans in our community. Participating organizations included the Des Plaines American Legion, the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Rivers Casino.
The event followed the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce & Industry Veterans Back-to-Work Boot Camp graduation (Nov. 9). Oakton has partnered with the Chamber since the Boot Camp’s inception, five years ago, by providing resources and facilitating sessions such as resume and cover letter writing, interview strategies and Myers-Briggs Assessment.
“The partnership between the Chamber and Oakton is crucial, “ said Andrea Biwer, executive director of the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Oakton staff and faculty have been instrumental in helping get the word out to the veteran students and helping participants update their resumes to show off the skills they learned in the military to make veterans more marketable to the local business.”
In addition, over the years, ten Oakton students participated in the program. This year, Nickolas Vickers, an Oakton student and Navy Veteran, was among those graduating.
“It is nice to participate in the events like the Boot Camp, because you do not feel alone,” Vickers said. “The Boot Camp is great for someone who wants to take full advantage of it. I liked the sessions on how to use LinkedIn and how to improve your resume. As a nontraditional student, these are the resources we need.”
At Oakton, we understand that every journey presents its own challenges, and the veteran's and service member's journeys are no different. Whether you're a veteran of the United States Armed Forces or are continuing to serve in the Reserves or National Guard, Oakton College is a VA-approved, veteran-friendly college ready to ensure you receive the support you need to attain the quality education you deserve.
