San Jose Job Fair Combats High Unemployment Among Veterans
SAN JOSE (KCBS) - Many of the more than 300 veterans attending a job fair Thursday in San Jose were young people who had recently served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The high unemployment rate is even worse for young veterans. Some estimates put the jobless rate among veterans under 25 around 26 percent.
Coast Guard veteran Josh Callandry spent the last year and a half as a stay-at-home father only to confront a tough job market when he started sending out resumes a month ago. He said the 2½ hour drive from Fresno to the job fair at Parkside Hall was worth it.
"I've been able to network with a lot of vet friendly companies. I've learned a lot about military benefits. I've talked to almost every booth in there," Callandry said.
KCBS' Mike Colgan Reports:
New York Life was one of many companies looking for workers with qualities cultivated by military service, said partner Todd Langton.
"The thing we like about the military is their discipline, their work ethic and their desire to help people and make a difference out there in the world," he said.
Government entities such as the Central Intelligence Agency also staffed booths at the job fair organized by Recruit Military. Representatives from several schools were also on hand to discuss educational benefits available under the GI Bill.
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