U.S. Army veteran Jeremy Mendoza had a problem. After two decades of steady federal service, he learned his job was going to be eliminated. At the same time, he was working towards completing his college education, with graduation expected mere months after his expected layoff. Although severance pay would keep him afloat temporarily, he realized he needed to start planning for a new career. Like countless other veterans in similar situations, he wasn’t sure where to begin.
From his introductory conversation with Local Veteran Employment Representative Brad Lavin at American Job Center of California (AJCC), Jeremy focused on building a relationship with Lavin rather than simply finding him another job. The specialist helped him develop a long-term employment strategy that would allow him to finish school while preparing for the next stage of his career. Throughout the following year, Jeremy remained actively engaged with AJCC services, participating in VetNet employment workshops, receiving career coaching, updating his resumes, and learning how to effectively market his skills learned in the military and federal workforce to civilian employers.
Jeremy explored careers in law enforcement, peer support, federal service, and probation while continuing to refine his employment goals. Throughout every stage of the process, Brad remained a consistent source of encouragement, guidance, and accountability, ensuring Jeremy didn’t feel like he was navigating the transition alone. After successfully earning his college degree, Jeremy shifted his full attention toward finding meaningful employment.
One of those opportunities came through American Armed Forces Exchange Service (AAFES), one of the AJCC's strongest and most valued employer partners. Because of the close collaboration between the veterans’ job grant program and AAFES Exchange Human Resources, Jeremy was identified as a strong candidate for several open positions. Jeremy tailored three separate resumes for positions with AAFES Exchange and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, confidently submitting applications for three positions.
Within a few days, Jeremy received an invitation to interview with AAFES Exchange for a Material Handler I position. The day after his interview, Jeremy received the news he was hoping for: AAFES Exchange had extended, a conditional job offer.
The culmination of nearly a year of determination, persistence, and support from the EDD, Jeremy identified the right steps to take toward building a meaningful new career.