Struggle to find job ends thanks to DAV virtual job fair

Adam Arvizu learned at a young age the sacrifice and honor it takes to serve your country from his family. His father was an Army Vietnam veteran while his oldest brother served in the Air Force during the Gulf War. His second oldest brother also served in the Army National Guard and his brother-in-law served in the Navy Reserve. In 2001, the same year of Adam’s high school graduation, he, along with the rest of America, witnessed the 9/11 terrorist attack. Immediately after the attack, his second oldest brother was called to serve on the Army National Guard’s homeland security team. In 2003, Adam felt compelled to follow in his family’s footsteps and signed up for the delayed enlistment program. 

“Our nation was in need of volunteers for faithful service to the country I love so much.” said Arvizu. 

A year later, in February 2004, Arvizu began an intense military career.  

He served in the Air Force for five years as an Air Transportation Journeyman with deployments to Al-Udeid Airbase in Qatar, and Kirkuk, Iraq, and to Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan. He trained as a special duty military postal service clerk for a short tour at Osan Airbase, Korea. When stateside, he proudly served with the Nellis Air Force Base Honor Guard in 2009, which included support of a dignified transfer and military honors in Cucuta, Colombia.

After deploying to hostile environments for years, Arvizu realized he had changed and felt lost when transitioning back into the civilian world. 

“I was struggling to find a job that met my talent, skills and the rewarding passion I had longed for after separating from the military." Throughout his search, Arvizu knew it was important to be "resilient, be respectful, and be confident," 

For Adam, DAV meant opening doors and creating a network of employers in search of disabled veterans that he did not know existed. A DAV job fair presented the opportunities Arvizu had been seeking.

“It definitely felt like my service ties were stronger than ever, even though my time as an active-duty member has passed,” said Arvizu. “I’m part of a brotherhood that has my back.”

The DAV job fair presented an easy way for Adam to connect with employers looking for the very skills he had to offer. Recruiters had easy access to his resume and set up a phone interview to confirm that he met the requirements for an in-person interview. Once that was done, he clicked on a chat room to learn about possible employers. 

“Speaking with other prospective employers to ask general questions was a bonus. Veterans who may know someone who is seeking a potential employee with your professional skills,” said Arvizu.

Thanks to the DAV job fair, Arvizu landed a position as a behavioral health technician for Air Education and Training Command, United States Air Force, where he’s tasked with understanding and implementing individual behavior plans, recording patient behavior, and providing a safe, supportive environment for patients.

“Any given day, my job may include mediating or restricting any violent behavior. Some of the most important skills required for this field include interpersonal and observational skills, along with physical stamina,” said Arvizu. 

Now, he wants other veterans to know that DAV is there for them too.

“DAV has been advocating for better federal programs, benefits, health care, and transition services for men and women who served, their families and survivors,” said Arvizu. 

And he wants them to know that DAV provides an efficient and productive way to find that next great job.

“DAV is awesome,” said Arvizu.“Upload your resume, edit or update it before the career fair, and DAV’s networking skills will put your skills out for possible future job opportunities.”