Hundreds Attend Job Fair As Veterans Battle Unemployment At Home
By Ileana Diaz
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Veterans come together at Lincoln Financial Field hoping to chart the next step in their lives -- post-military service.
They had the chance to connect with 64 employers looking to hire.
For Catie Hughes who served in the Navy, its not easy being unemployed after a long career in real estate, and having to go to a career fair for a job.
"I have 30 years experience but only have an associate's degree and everyone requires a bachelor's degree," Hughes said.
And there are hundreds of veterans out here who feel the same way. Anthony Jordan is one of them, shaking hands and meeting employers but tells Eyewitness News he doesn't have the skills to compete.
"The retraining...I have several things I can do well, but the market is shifting," Jordan said.
And it is only getting worse as nearly one million veterans will return from serving overseas over the next two years -- all in need of jobs. Companies like Starbucks are hiring veterans to alleviate that pressure, but it's not enough.
"It's been difficult. Employers have a large selection so they can be selective and picky and that gets discouraging," Jordan said.
And even younger soldiers still in college but who are looking ahead say even getting part-time work is hard to come by.
"I need to pay my bills, get an apartment, pay for my car, I need something, just anything," said Frank Ciamaichelo.
