UIW Hosts Military Community Members at Hiring Our Heroes Career Summit

On Wednesday, Aug. 7 and Thursday, Aug. 8, UIW hosted local transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses at the Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) Career Summit in the McCombs Center Rosenberg Sky Room. Since 2011, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation has hosted the HOH with the intention of connecting the military community with civilian companies to create economic opportunity and a strong and diversified workforce. This year marks the second time UIW has had the privilege of hosting the HOH Career Summit. The first event was held in 2022.

The two-day event allowed attendees to meet with military-ready companies who are actively hiring both locally and nationwide, to consider professional opportunities, network themselves and receive tips from hiring managers and recruiters.

"UIW is an incredible supporter of our military community, so the collaboration was the perfect fit," remarked Crystal Bryant-Kearns, Hiring Our Heroes director of events and engagement. "UIW provided outreach and promotion for the event, as well as volunteers to help with our job seekers and employers check-in. UIW's Military & Veteran Affairs team hosted a booth during the summit's hiring fair, and we were also honored to have Dr. Dimitri Tamalis, UIW's interim provost, provide remarks at the networking reception."

The event brought together 818 job seekers with 83 employers and 11 service organizations. A total of 336 job offers were extended at the event, and 224 follow-up interviews were scheduled. Reflecting on the event's quantitative and qualitative outcomes, Bryant-Kearns feels that it was successful for job seekers and employers alike.

"UIW's commitment to support the 2024 Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) Career Summit in the Sky Room is another example of why UIW is ranked '#1 Best for Vets: Colleges' by the Military Times," noted Jonathan Lovejoy, senior director for Military and Veteran Affairs, and Brian Richardson, director of Career Services. "UIW is committed to supporting service members, veterans and their families. UIW's Career Services, Military & Veteran Center and 15 student volunteers joined forces to cohost the JBSA Career Summit that was such a success that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation has already asked if we would be willing to cohost the Career Summit again next year!"

Learn about year-round support from UIW's Military and Veteran Center here.