Manufacturing Technician

West
US Marine Corps, E-5

My primary military occupational specialty (PMOS) was a 2171 (Ground Electro-Optical Ordnance Repairman) in the United States Marine Corps. I left active duty as a Corporal (E-4), having spent three years in my PMOS and another two years as a de facto intelligence analyst and personnel security manager. 

I had been on the job hunt since May 2010, three months before my end of active service. I utilized many of the popular job-search websites and sent resumes to all the companies I had liked that had openings. It wasn't until around July 2011 that I heard about Orion.

A good friend of mine told me he had attended an Orion Hiring Conference in San Diego prior to his separation. He said that he had done interviews with Intel and had been hired a few weeks later. I was surprised it was so easy for him. It had taken me four months to find a part-time, labor job. He sent me the email address of his contact at Orion, Jay Koranda. Jay seemed to be respectful of my needs and forthcoming with any information I needed.

Jay sent me a candidacy package for the Manufacturing Technician job at Intel. I filled it out and waited a few days. At that point, I wasn't sure Intel would be a good fit, so when Jay did get back to me with information about Orion and the next hiring conference, I sidelined the idea. As the single source of income for my family, I thought the trip to a hiring conference in San Diego wasn't worth the risk of lost wages and travel expenses and declined the invitation. 

After about six months, my circumstances had changed. My employer was no longer willing to work around my school schedule, and I went back on the job hunt. It was about a week later that Jay sent me an email with more information and an invitation to attend interviews for a position at Intel.

After securing my invitation to the Conference, I drove from Phoenix to San Diego. I felt well prepared, and I could see that the Orion staff was there to help those who weren't as prepared. I was surprised to see so many different occupations from each of the services in attendance. Orion definitely has a fairly unique ability to translate military experience into civilian job skills and find the companies that want those skills. Though there are many parallels, I had never considered the semiconductor industry after my military background. I spent a lot of time around electronics, lasers, missile systems, and artillery sights. It was difficult to find an employer that needed the skills I possessed. Orion was able to do that.

After just a few emails, a trip to San Diego, and a single interview with an Intel manager, I found myself hired. Orion definitely exceeded my expectations for employment recruiters. Best of all, the service was free to me. Companies like Intel really are looking for companies like Orion to help meet their employment needs. 

I would suggest to any potential candidate that they get a good feel for what an employer is looking for. Orion has a good nose for what skills their candidates possess and what skills the employer needs. It takes a little bit of trust on both sides, but if you feel that Orion has something lined up for you that would be a good fit, take the time to go check out a hiring conference.