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News Release
Veterans Resource Central Launches Mentoring Program
HARRISBURG, January 26, 2006 — Veterans Resource Central (VRC) is launching their VRC Mentoring Program with a Business Connection reception. The February 2, 2006 event will be held at the Holiday Inn Harrisburg East to allow veteran students to meet and network with prospective mentors. Anticipated attendance is close to 100 students and business professionals. The goal for the VRC Mentoring Program Business Connection Mixer is to assist 100% of the students with an appropriate job or internship program.
“Our primary mission is to help returning veterans by providing career counseling and job placement assistance. Initially, we will focus our efforts on supporting veterans graduating from our local colleges in their job search,” says John Carrigan, VRC president and Director of Sales, Rose Consulting, Inc.
VRC is working directly with local schools including HACC, Central Pennsylvania College and Penn State, by working with their Military and Veterans Affairs Offices to identify local veterans searching for a summer internship and/or graduating this spring. VRC will match students with mentors to help them with a successful placement.
Barbara Groce, VRC CEO and Business Development Officer at Sovereign Bank stated “The response from members of the business community who are volunteering as mentors has been phenomenal.” We’ve asked the community to show their support and they came through. We thank Franklin’s Printing, Holiday Inn Harrisburg East and PA Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors for underwriting this event.”
“I am involved as a mentor for many reasons. This is a careers program not a jobs program. These men and women have more experience, discipline, focus, accountability, and team building and leadership skills than their contemporaries.” states Tom Steffen, Principal Business Advisor, Concurrent Technologies Corporation. “They are loyal, motivated and adaptable to changing circumstances…what company wouldn’t want to add a veteran to their team?” Steffen recently retired after 28 years of a military service most recently as Director of ship support, Navy Depot in Mechanicsburg.
Mentors will review the candidate's resume, discussing target industries and geographic areas of interest. The mentors and applicants will discuss what will normally be considered in an interview and offer assistance to the veteran to serve as a link to their business contacts and professional networks in obtaining interviews.
VRC also provides information, education and assistance to military families dealing with life issues at home. For information on how you can participate as a Mentor at our Business Connection Mixer, contact John Carrigan at 717-796-6093, and learn more about helping our returning veterans by visiting www.veteransresourcecentral.org.
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Contact: Jeanne Lowing, BeneVis Marketing, 939-0214, jlowing@benevismarketing.com