TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) -
Dozens of people showed up to help
get and give sound business advice at the veterans conference today. Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild and retired Air Force Colonel Martha McSally were in attendance.
According to the mayor, veterans put their careers on hold as they
made the military their career. Now many are struggling to get back to the
jobs they left behind.
The national unemployment rate for veterans is much higher than that of
civilians. McSally was the keynote speaker at the third annual veterans conference and she feels that's a shame.
"They
learn a lot in the military that does translate into the real world.. many feel
intimidated but they do. They have leadership skills, discipline, hard
work, excellence, they know how to do this," she said.
Locally, the Small Business Development Center counsels and trains dozens of
veterans every year. They've helped many of them get the jumpstart and open up
shop. Jaime Vasquez, owner of Artisan Ironworks, is one of many local success stories.
He first hand knows the
struggles veterans are facing in today's job market.
"There's a
lot of people getting out now, it's up to us to look after them, make sure they
get employment, and mentor them," he said.
Tucson Mayor
Jonathan Rothschild stopped by to offer free business advice to our veterans. His words of wisdom: "When you see
trouble coming, don't wait. Plan how you're going to respond."
Rothschild
reminded veterans that they have a wealth of experience and military
skills that would serve them well in the business environment. If you missed
today's expo, you can call the Microbusiness Advancement Center SBDC at
(520) 620-1241.
Copyright 2012 Tucson News Now. All rights reserved.
