NPower and SFSU students visit Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory on Friday, April 28, 2017 in Berkeley, Calif. 04/28/17
Berkeley Lab’s Diversity and Inclusion Office (DIO) recently hosted its fourth “Veterans’ Day on the Job” event for approximately 40 participants in the NPower program and San Francisco State University (SFSU)’s “VETS@SFSU“. NPower is a national program, with a Bay Area chapter serving veterans who are eager to transfer their military experience and develop new skills toward a career in technology. V.E.T.S. (Veterans Education Transition & Support) is the student organization for veterans and their families and friends at San Francisco State University.
Their visit on April 28, 2017 started with a tour of the Advanced Light Source (ALS) led by Tom Scarvie, Doug Taube, and Ina Reichel (IT and general tour), as well as a tour of the Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis (JCAP) with Frances Houle. The afternoon program included a “veteran’s perspective” talk by Navy veteran Rich Celestre in ALS; a presentation by NPower graduate and current IT employee Michael Jason Bush; a professional development workshop facilitated by Natalya Gray and Sapana Kanakia from the recruitment team; and a networking session with Berkeley Lab’s Veteran Employee Resource Group (VERG) and hiring managers in IT and Engineering Divisions. Colette Flood from Workforce Development & Education (WD&E) also shared information about internship opportunities.
“The site visit allows our veterans to gain some insight on the operations involved in the technology field,” said Leo Corella, NPower Apprenticeship Coordinator. “It also gives them a chance to network with other veterans at Berkeley Lab and discover new opportunities within the organization.” Corella also commented on the response from students. “Some of the feedback I received is that the Berkeley Lab site visit was an eye-opening experience. The students learned how the Lab is making a difference in the areas of science and technology. They also appreciated the Lab’s efforts in trying to increase their veteran hires and outreach opportunities.”
This initiative is a part of DIO and VERG’s commitment to reach out to the veteran community, and ensure a veteran-friendly work environment for employees and prospective applicants. VERG is open to all employees at the Lab, with Facilities Division Director Reva Nickelson serving as the Executive Sponsor. For more information, please contact VERG Co-Chairs Phil Weiss (pweiss@lbl.gov) or Rich Celestre (rscelestre@lbl.gov).
(Photo by Marilyn Chung)
