Air Force career assistance advisors provide airmen with information on various professional development courses and advise them about career opportunities.
“In the Air Force, we have to be continual learners,” said Air Force Master Sgt. Lance Hasz, the career assistance advisor for the 92nd Force Support Squadron here. “The development courses we offer are another way of providing tools for your leadership toolbox. It also gives airmen a road map to be more effective in their job centers and in their careers.”
Hasz said these courses act as stepping stones for airmen promoting into new ranks, most notably the noncommissioned officer and the senior NCO tiers of the Air Force rank structure.
Through the senior NCO professional enhancement course, senior NCOs are provided a foundation for learning the ins and outs of their units, enhancing their own personal leadership abilities and planning for future mission requirements. Senior NCOs will begin to mentor NCOs and help them prepare their airmen for different challenges they may face, he said.
Change Careers, Change Lives
Aside from providing building blocks for career success, the CAA also provides guidance to airmen who are interested in retraining into different career fields.
“A lot of airmen are very busy, and they either don’t know what their options are or don’t have time to look into them,” said Air Force Senior Airman Steven Richichi, an aircraft hydraulic specialist journeyman with the 92nd Maintenance Squadron.
Richichi said he only recently discovered the different retraining career options available to him. “You can talk to the career advisor and they’ll explain and help you understand the processes and will guide you through it. It’s really fantastic to have that guidance and to have such a resource available.”
Hasz said having someone to speak with about career options can be life-changing.
“I’m able to potentially change airmen’s life trajectory for the better because of one conversation, and it’s an awesome task to be charged with,” he said.