In October 2019, after nearly 32 years of service (27 of which were on active duty), I decided to retire from the Minnesota National Guard. When I left the military, I purposely chose to avoid starting a new career in the public sector. I wanted to see what the private sector had to offer and how a new career away from ?government employment? could support my personal and professional goals.
I lost my first post-retirement job due to the COVID-19 pandemic and then landed a job with a Fortune 500 company. The money and benefits were pretty good, but a sense of belonging, fulfillment, work-life balance, and a positive work culture were missing. My stubbornness about wanting to stay in the private sector kept me trying to ride the storm out hoping things would get better. After about 18 months, I decided to take a step back to analyze where I was and where I was going. Once I did that, I realized the only benefit for me to stay at this company was financial. Staying didn?t support the things that are most important to me: my family and my personal values.
What I was going to do next and where I was going to do it were important considerations, but more important to me was the who and why. I wanted to find a place to work where there was a reasonable expectation that those with whom I worked would have similar values as me and that the job would bring a sense of fulfillment. While listening to Minnesota Military Radio in November 2022, I heard an interview about how the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs had several vacancies. That got me thinking that maybe I should consider the public sector and more specifically the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. After all, the organization?s mission is to support Veterans and their families, and many of the people doing so have served or are currently serving in the military. This looked like a win-win-win for me. I could work with those who, more than likely, had a similar value set as mine, serve a population of people that I hold near and dear, and find fulfillment in the process.
In February 2023, I started with MDVA as the Benefits Division Supervisor. It has been a welcome change from what I was doing before, and I have not been disappointed. Everyone is behind the mission of supporting Veterans and their families, the people have been welcoming and supportive, I have work-life balance again, and I feel fulfilled by the mission. At the end of my workday, I can look back with pride and know that what my team did, what I did, and what MDVA did that day, made a positive impact on a Veteran and their family. I am very happy with my decision to pursue a career with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, and I am especially grateful for the opportunity to serve Veterans and their families.
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Job Fairs at educational institutions may only be open to enrolled students. For all events, we recommend confirming attendance details with the job fair host.?
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May 15 ? Spring Bumper to Bumper Job Fair from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Location:? Westridge CareerForce, 2300 24th St. NW, Bemidji, MN.
- May 17 ? Hennepin County Virtual Job Fair from 1 - 2 p.m.
- May 19 ? Preston Veterans Home Career Fair from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Location: 144 Main Street Southwest, Preston, MN. (Recruitment and Training Center)
- June 7 ? Silver Bay Veterans Home Career Fair from 10 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Location:? 56 Outer Drive, Silver Bay, MN.?
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June 10 ?? Healthcare Showcase Series, Department of Transportation Building from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Location: 395 John Ireland Blvd, St. Paul, MN.
- Minnesota Veterans Home - Bemidji
Peter Paquette, [email protected], 218-553-1104
- Minnesota Veterans Home - Fergus Falls
Salena Ness,?[email protected], 612-214-9921?
- Minnesota Veterans Home - Hastings
Sarah Nietfeld, [email protected], 651-539-2498
- Minnesota Veterans Home - Luverne
Sandy Kelm,?[email protected], 507-920-0000?
- Minnesota Veterans Home - Minneapolis
Kathy Maertz,?[email protected], 612-548-5989?
- Minnesota Veterans Home - Montevideo
Dawn Gregoire, [email protected], 320-979-1883
- Minnesota Veterans Home - Preston
Alexis Schwartz, [email protected], 507-923-8170
- Minnesota Veterans Home - Silver Bay
Becky McMillen, [email protected], 218-353-8694
- Central Office and Programs & Services
Anjali Bajracharya,?[email protected], 612-209-5031
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is a Veteran-friendly employer and committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity. While we are a Veteran-friendly employer, we also hire non-Veterans. Additionally, MDVA's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Office strives to create an environment where all employees feel they belong.?Read MDVA's?Affirmative Action plan.?
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