Pittsburgh, PA — December 6th, 2019 Veterans, hiring professionals, nonprofits, and military stakeholders came together for the first Suit Up For Success Veterans Event on Friday afternoon. Organizations such as Military Community Support Project (MCSP), Corporate America Supports You (CASY), Luttner Financial Group (LFG), Veterans Breakfast Club (VBC) and PA Serves contributed to the event’s successful execution. Nearly 20 veterans were equipped, encouraged, educated, and connected with the skills and resources necessary from attire to hire.
One hundred percent of attendee evaluations articulated this event met or exceeded their expectations, while Likert scale ratings also displayed an increase in attendees' feeling of being job- ready based upon pre-event and post event ratings.
Veteran men and women walked away receiving high end suits, ties, and professional wear while having measurements taken and tailoring services given on site. They were equipped with benefit education sessions and connected directly with successful professionals from our region.
These veterans spent time in small group sessions with hiring authorities and workforce mentors from Luttner Financial Services, Giant Eagle, Grad Orbit, and Cortron Media. Attendees also received a special lesson and hands-on practice in tying a tie properly, while being given Giant Eagle gift cards to ensure gas to their next interview or networking event. These attendees have also been afforded an opportunity to highlight their skills in a militar- friendly employer networking mingle in January, as a follow up to the professional skills and resource knowledge gained in this event and weeks to follow.
Veterans left the event with evaluations saying, “I came out of the session with a renewed confidence in my skills.” “I didn’t have a lot of expectations, but this was awesome!” One attendee shared, “prior to the event, I was ready but not as comfortable about my ideal field as I was after the event… this event exceeded my expectations with a wide array of knowledge, resources, services, and veterans in one space who all genuinely care.”
Written by: Crystal McFadden, Pittsburgh Vets Program Manager